God commands us to care for ophans and widows...

As many of you know, God has given me a crazy, uncomfortable, bigger than life, sad, wonderful heart for the orphans of the world. I am still processing all of this, our trip to Ethiopia and all that we saw while there.

One thing that is very clear is that God COMMANDS us to care for widows and ORPHANS in the bible. He doesn't say it would be nice, or we should consider it if we don't have anything else going on...we MUST do it. There are lots of way, adoption is not the only one.

Check out this video...orphan Sunday is right around the corner. Won't you consider helping one of the 147 million kids without a forever family (or clean water, or food, or clothes, or safety)?

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

12 weeks!!

I can't believe we have had our sweet little boy for 12 weeks! It is so amazing how much God has changed him and us in that time. First for the changes in David...

First week we were home...

Now....

Isn't it amazing??



This was David when we brought him home, he was about 14 months:

• Wearing size 2 diapers and 9 month clothes which were still too big in the waist.
• Would not let you cradle him and cuddle.
• Had to stay in the room/bed with him until he was totally asleep or he would get very scared.
• Could only crawl, could not pull himself up.
• Terrified of baths
• Ate TONS of food, that is not an exaggeration, he ate more than Nicky.
• Had many melt downs concerning food. Would go into a total tail spin if he was the slightest bit hungry.
• Wanted to be around us always, would only play with toys if we were sitting there with him.
• Totally terrified of our dogs...would get physically scared and shake when they came near.
• Very reserved and would not let new people hold him.

David now:

• Has gained over 3 pounds and is wearing size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes
• Loves to be rocked to sleep at night, cuddles in for lots of body contact
• Lays down in bed now and goes right to sleep, no crying or fear
• Walking and running everywhere
• Loves bath time, runs to the tub as soon as he hears the water running
• Eats much less food now, appetite is like an average toddler now
• Less meltdowns about food, now it is only when we are traveling or away from our normal schedule
• Will play with the other kids for long periods of time without Simon or I sitting with them. Nicky and him wrestle together and both LOVE playing cars.
• Loves the dogs, hugs and kisses them along with telling them no!
• Staying at the church daycare during services and not crying when we leave him

Wow, it is pretty amazing when I list it all out! God has blessed us with this little boy.

Some of the time it is hard, most of the time it is rewarding, but ALL of this time we are thankful for David.

Soon I will share more about how my life has changed in the last 12 weeks...I am getting closer to being able to articulate it all...