Ah, this is a fun story….
When we submitted ourselves to God’s call to adopt, our next question was “Where, Lord? There are so many orphans. How can we possibly pick a country?” We asked Him to show us–close every door, except the one we’re supposed to go through. He did.
If I’ve ever had a “flashing billboard sign” experience, this was it. Ethiopia was everywhere I looked–conversations with friends, random blog posts I would stumble upon, the news….EVERYWHERE! The night before we had a meeting at Bethany Christian Services, I told Ray I had a feeling it was Ethiopia.
When we first sat down to talk to the adoption coordinator she used Ethiopia as an example…I got goosebumps and nudged Ray. She even showed us a picture of a little boy that had just come home from Ethiopia. My heart melted.
Through the course of our meeting, we looked over every inch of a spreadsheet with adoption requirements for countries. I made notes by each country and even marked a few that we didn’t qualify for completely off the list…Some countries were closed to new applicants. A few required very long travel (2 months long!) and just wouldn’t work for us. Others only had very severe special needs that we just aren’t ready for at this time.
At the end of our meeting, the only country that didn’t have a note or line through it was Ethiopia. We knew and our hearts fell in love with Ethiopia.
Since then, God has been confirming it over and over to us. Ethiopia is still everywhere I look!
I also found this video and I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know….
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Great story! We have a couple in our church who are adopting from Etheopia as well!
So cool to hear you are adopting from Ethiopia! So are we!!! It was a bit overwhelming when we started down the road of adoption with so many choices, but it was very clear for us also that is the country God has for us. Excited to follow your journey!
We’ll have to talk girl! Where are you in the process?
we haven’t actually started yet. we’re praying through agencies, a possible pregnancy first and hubby is inbetween jobs at the moment. so lots going on. Hopefully we’ll be starting the process soon though
What a blessing it is when the Lord speaks so clearly in your life. LOVE the video.
Blessings,
Alison
Thank you for stopping by Alison!
WoW!
What a touching video! I did notice one thing that the children had in common. They ALL have beautiful eyes and beautiful smiles. Now off to that website…. http://www.missionethiopia.com
I agree Patty! Their eyes are gorgeous!
Just dropped in from a twitter connection and had to say, “Congratulations!” on your international adoption journey. Get your E-ticket, it’s one doozy of a ride. But oh – blessings beyond belief!
Thanks for stopping by and giving encouragement!
amazing! i haven’t said congratulations on your decision yet but I have been following your questions/answers. Good Luck with all of it-praying for everything to go smoothly for you! what a wonderful decision you have made.
Thank you Dawn! We are so excited!
Best wishes on your adoption! I have a friend who adopted a brother and sister from Ethiopia in Dec 2008, and they have blossomed and grown in their new loving family. I am sure that your new son or daughter will do the same. It takes a special person to adopt, and your family seems to fit that bill to a tee!
I just saw your blog through Happy Clippings, and while I don’t even know you, I just felt compelled to pass along my congratulations and best wishes!
Thank you so much Laura!
What a fun blog! And I love your ETsy store. We are adopting from ET as well, through AGCI.
Wow, that video brought me to tears. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to hearing more as you go through this.
So happy you are hopping on this crazy ride with us!! Prayers that you will have a little almond eyed baby home by next Christmas
love this post
and oh man, that video…
Thank you Emily! Praying for your family and little Elsa during the waiting period!
So, is there a cure for leprosy? Is this the town your child is coming from?
We don’t have a referral for our child yet, but I guess it is possible that we could get a child abandoned in the trash dump.
I would love to talk to you more about Ethopia. Found you tonight off the Anderson Crew blog. OUr family is beginning to look internationally at adopting as domestic is just taking tooooooo long. Email me if you feel up to some questions. Blessings, jennifer
Sure Jennifer! I would love to talk more about Ethiopia! Feel free to send questions to happybrownhouse (at) gmail dot com
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