One year ago I slept in bed next to an empty crib. His clothes were folded and stored neatly; toys organized in bins- the life I planned for him all tucked away on shelves and in drawers- waiting for the day when he would come home. One year ago, I didn't know when that would be, but hoped and prayed so very hard it would be soon.
I thought of him in the crib where he was, at the orphanage across town, and wept. Who kissed him goodnight? Who sat with him when he couldn't sleep? Whose was the face he saw when he woke up in the morning? Answers I didn't have, and didn't really want to know.
~
December 15, 2010 was a normal morning for me, running work errands around town- until I got a call. Up until this point, my social worker had never called me. I had always been the one to call her to check how things were progressing- and up until this point, she never had anything decisive to report. I hadn't yet even gotten a real "YES" about taking home this little boy.
She said everything so matter of factly, "Your papers have been signed, you can come get them."
"And so, after I get the papers, I can go get HIM?"
"Yes, you can."
"Like, today? I can go to the orphanage, pick him up, and take him home to stay with me?
"Yes, I said that already."
I hung up the phone and started to cry. They said yes. They said now. As of that day, I would be his mother. He would be my son. Forever changed, just like that.
It's how He works, don't you think? Eternities altered in a moment- though planned and purposed from before time began. Tonight I sit in bed and am so humbled and thankful for the past year. So many challenges. So many joys. So much life.
Here's to one year and a thousand more, my beloved boy. May He be glorified in each and every one of them.
December 14, 2011
October 16, 2011
Celebrating Friends
I want to introduce you to my sweet friend, Sophie and her daughter, Natasha. I have a tender spot in my heart for this family for lots of reasons...first and foremost, Sophie and I are walking on similar paths. She is only 22 years old, living as a single woman here in Zambia, and has been called to be a mother of a beautiful former-orphan. As I am sure you have guessed, we have become FAST friends. Secondly, Natasha lived in the same orphanage as Joab- and though we are not sure if they remember each other, it is still so sweet to watch them play together. Thirdly, I so admire Sophie and the way she has fought for this little girl. Her persistence (it took over a year and a half to get everything in order before Natasha could come home) so mirrors that of our Father, and I love the way she is showing that part of God to the world.
I had the absolute privilege of hosting a shower for these lovely ladies today, and it was such fun! Most of you know that I love to cook, especially for a party, even more so if it is to celebrate a dear friend. Here are some pictures from the day...
I love this last one of Jo and Tash- I think their favorite part was the "after party."
I had the absolute privilege of hosting a shower for these lovely ladies today, and it was such fun! Most of you know that I love to cook, especially for a party, even more so if it is to celebrate a dear friend. Here are some pictures from the day...
I love this last one of Jo and Tash- I think their favorite part was the "after party."
October 2, 2011
God is His Father
When I first met Donald Musebo at an orphanage near our house, I didn't think much else except that he was super cute! His big, beautiful eyes were deep, but he hardly ever locked them with mine long enough to search them out. To him, I'm sure I was just another adult among the slew that walked in and out of his life all day.
The director of the orphanage had asked Special Hope to visit this little guy because it was believed that he had Autism*, and so we gave a brief synopsis to his caretakers that first day and scheduled a full assessment for later. It was in between these two meetings that God began to stir in my heart.
Verse after verse, I couldn't escape it...
Donald had been fatherless for over 2 years when I met him, and it showed. In the way he ignored, in the way he stared blankly, in the way he didn't care. He was fatherless and felt it.
During my time spent in the word and in prayer, God made it clear. HE was the Father of the fatherless. HE was Donald's Father.
And I was to be his mother. I was to step in for the mother who birthed him**, and mend the wear and tear those lonely years had left.
To celebrate this restoration, and to mark this new life being birthed- God whispered a name. Joab. Hebrew for "God is his father." A promise written over his life- that no matter what, he would never be left alone. That even in those lonely years, God was still there, purposing and planning every step.
Watching him grow and change over the last 9 and a half months (!) has been my utmost privilege. I love that I get to be the one to remind him of that promise, even with every call of his name. My son, His son...Joab.
Then...
Now...
*More on this later this week.
**Read this post about Donald's mother.
The director of the orphanage had asked Special Hope to visit this little guy because it was believed that he had Autism*, and so we gave a brief synopsis to his caretakers that first day and scheduled a full assessment for later. It was in between these two meetings that God began to stir in my heart.
Verse after verse, I couldn't escape it...
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5
The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless. Psalm 146:9
Donald had been fatherless for over 2 years when I met him, and it showed. In the way he ignored, in the way he stared blankly, in the way he didn't care. He was fatherless and felt it.
During my time spent in the word and in prayer, God made it clear. HE was the Father of the fatherless. HE was Donald's Father.
And I was to be his mother. I was to step in for the mother who birthed him**, and mend the wear and tear those lonely years had left.
To celebrate this restoration, and to mark this new life being birthed- God whispered a name. Joab. Hebrew for "God is his father." A promise written over his life- that no matter what, he would never be left alone. That even in those lonely years, God was still there, purposing and planning every step.
Watching him grow and change over the last 9 and a half months (!) has been my utmost privilege. I love that I get to be the one to remind him of that promise, even with every call of his name. My son, His son...Joab.
Then...
Now...
*More on this later this week.
**Read this post about Donald's mother.
September 20, 2011
Ta Da!
Joab's quilt is finished! Such a fun project, and I'm excited with how it turned out. These pictures, however, could definitely be better, as none of the colors are quite right. Oh well- I hope you enjoy nonetheless...
I actually chose the fabrics for the quilt based on this quilt that is already hanging above Jo's bed. It was given to him by his sweet Cuz-Aunt Mary at our baby shower in May. I love the colors in it, and even more the hundred wishes it lists for Joab. I often use them as inspiration when I pray for Jo before he goes to sleep...
My three favorites are "Compassion," I hope one day that Joab is able to show the same compassion the Lord has shown him; "Perseverance," the Lord has chosen a seemingly hard road for Jo, and I pray that He will also give him the perseverance needed to walk it; and "Cheerfulness," Even more than just walking the path before him, I hope God gives him grace to do it with a cheerful heart.
Thanks so much to my Mom, who taught me everything I know about sewing; Sarah, who let me borrow her machine (and just for being a good friend here in Lusaka); and to Holly and Eric for their helpful input along the way!
I actually chose the fabrics for the quilt based on this quilt that is already hanging above Jo's bed. It was given to him by his sweet Cuz-Aunt Mary at our baby shower in May. I love the colors in it, and even more the hundred wishes it lists for Joab. I often use them as inspiration when I pray for Jo before he goes to sleep...
My three favorites are "Compassion," I hope one day that Joab is able to show the same compassion the Lord has shown him; "Perseverance," the Lord has chosen a seemingly hard road for Jo, and I pray that He will also give him the perseverance needed to walk it; and "Cheerfulness," Even more than just walking the path before him, I hope God gives him grace to do it with a cheerful heart.
Thanks so much to my Mom, who taught me everything I know about sewing; Sarah, who let me borrow her machine (and just for being a good friend here in Lusaka); and to Holly and Eric for their helpful input along the way!
September 19, 2011
Fun Day!
Well, our first day of Mulungushi Homeschool went quite well! Got Joab's visual schedule made and put into action...
And this afternoon, as part of our "outside play," we broke out the sprinkler! Jo was a little skeptical at first, but then (as you can tell in the second pic) HE LOVED IT!
I also got started on all the measuring and cutting for the quilt- I got the design from an old Martha mag (don't care what you say, she will always be my go-to gal), it's super cute and I cannot wait to show you the finished product!
And this afternoon, as part of our "outside play," we broke out the sprinkler! Jo was a little skeptical at first, but then (as you can tell in the second pic) HE LOVED IT!
I also got started on all the measuring and cutting for the quilt- I got the design from an old Martha mag (don't care what you say, she will always be my go-to gal), it's super cute and I cannot wait to show you the finished product!
September 18, 2011
You Still There?
Gosh, I hope so, though I know I've given you very little incentive to be checking in these past few months. I cannot believe that two months have gone by- they have been so full of work and fun and growth, I'm excited to share more with you. This week, Special Hope is taking a few days off (Zambia has its Presidential Elections, and though we are not expecting any significant violence, we are still hunkering down at home to be on the safe-side), and I am going to take that time to get back into this blogging business. I have lots of things planned this week (you know me, always a-planning)...
-Making these fabrics into a really fun quilt for Joab...
-Playing homeschool mom and getting a bunch of stuff organized into a mini-classroom for Joab...
-Being outside a lot, Zambian weather is beautiful this time of year...
(Read this post I wrote about these trees when they were in bloom last year)
-Writing more about Joab. You can tell he is the theme this week- and in planning, I realized that I haven't actually written very much about him on this blog, and since I think God wants to speak through his story, I'm going to take some time to tell my perspective of it. I hope over the next few days to share more with you about how I met him, how I became his mother, and what he is actually like.
It's good to be back, friends, hope you are as excited as I am!
-Making these fabrics into a really fun quilt for Joab...
-Playing homeschool mom and getting a bunch of stuff organized into a mini-classroom for Joab...
-Being outside a lot, Zambian weather is beautiful this time of year...
(Read this post I wrote about these trees when they were in bloom last year)
-Writing more about Joab. You can tell he is the theme this week- and in planning, I realized that I haven't actually written very much about him on this blog, and since I think God wants to speak through his story, I'm going to take some time to tell my perspective of it. I hope over the next few days to share more with you about how I met him, how I became his mother, and what he is actually like.
It's good to be back, friends, hope you are as excited as I am!
July 10, 2011
I Do Declare
Today was more than just a birthday. It was more than just mine. It was more than just Joab’s. It was more than a theme (though I did love the chance to get creative with the ‘tree’ motif). It was more than yummy food. It was even more than friends gathered together. Today was a day when I got to celebrate my son.
You see, I know there are plenty in this world who would have looked at his life and said why bother? A kid like that is more of a hassle than he’s worth. Sure, they probably wouldn’t have said it outright, but deep down, that’s what a lot think.
But today, I got another chance to shout back at them: He is my son. And he is absolutely worth it. He’s worth hours spent on just-right cupcakes. He’s worth making sure every detail is covered. He’s even worth washing rocks so that they don’t look so dirty around the fire-pit (let’s just say I’m in an ‘I hate dirt’ phase, and there’s a lot of it in Lusaka).
He is worth celebrating, and I will continue to do it not just on his birthday, but everyday I get to be with him. I am utterly privileged to be his Mama, and completely head over heels for this little boy. People can say whatever they will, but as for me- I do declare I am blessed, thankful, and filled with joy to be the one who gets to throw his birthday parties. Bring em on (but not too fast…).
You see, I know there are plenty in this world who would have looked at his life and said why bother? A kid like that is more of a hassle than he’s worth. Sure, they probably wouldn’t have said it outright, but deep down, that’s what a lot think.
But today, I got another chance to shout back at them: He is my son. And he is absolutely worth it. He’s worth hours spent on just-right cupcakes. He’s worth making sure every detail is covered. He’s even worth washing rocks so that they don’t look so dirty around the fire-pit (let’s just say I’m in an ‘I hate dirt’ phase, and there’s a lot of it in Lusaka).
He is worth celebrating, and I will continue to do it not just on his birthday, but everyday I get to be with him. I am utterly privileged to be his Mama, and completely head over heels for this little boy. People can say whatever they will, but as for me- I do declare I am blessed, thankful, and filled with joy to be the one who gets to throw his birthday parties. Bring em on (but not too fast…).
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