Redeemed

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the Earth."  Job 19:25


At last our amazing children are with us!  When we pulled through the gate at their orphanage in Holeta a nanny came running out and hugged me as soon as I got out of the van.  She was saying, "You came, you came, you did come!"  Our children came running followed by all the other kids at the orphanage.  We hugged and hugged and kissed each other.  They called us "Mama" and "Daddy".


They are so beautiful!  Each of them is smaller than I had imagined.  Nate is reserved and quiet and smiles easily.  Mercy is just who I expected her to be.  She smiles all the time and always wants to be touching one of us.  Isaiah is SO precious and loveable.  He can't take his eyes off Jimmy and laughs at everything he says.  James will give Levi Jeremiah a run for his money.  He is a wild child.  He is so very snuggly and that is the only time he is remotely still ----- and I think he is well aware of how cute he is!  He and Levi truly are kindred spirits.  I'm so thankful that Ethiopia is an affectionate country because I can't keep my lips off my precious children!


It is so very clear that God has been preparing their little hearts to be our children.  They have totally melted into our family.  Nate wrote a note to me on the trip back to Addis that said, "Name:  Nathaniel, I luva u Mom and Dad."  They love their new names and are already answering to them, except for Nate, who asked to be called Nati.  We love that, too.  Mercy even said, "My name is Mercy," when a little boy next to our guest house asked her what her name was.  (She said, in Amharic of course.)  English is VERY limited.  Jimmy devised a "thumbs up" for -- good and yes - "thumbs down" for - no and bad - a plan that has worked well so far.


We had a wonderful Ethiopian lunch at the orphanage and then went to visit a missionary family from California who have adopted from Pochi's orphanage.  We went home to the Ethiopian Guest House for dinner and played soccer and baseball outside.  Mercy has been taking pictures like crazy.   She even took a picture of all of their clothes in their closets.   She likes to take pictures more than pose for them.  They were all so happy to take showers and wear their new jammies.  We read through John 14 and prayed before tucking them into bed.  Each of them prayed, except Isaiah because he was falling asleep.  As I tucked each of them into bed, each had the hugest smile on their face.


Tomorrow is Embassy day.  We are hoping to visit some orphanages on our to do list.  Friday is a farewell party in Holeta, Saturday we are traveling to Debre Birhan, Sunday a special church service in Holeta..... and anything else that we can fit in!


Thank you all for praying for us!!!  We are living a miracle right now!  Much love to everyone! ----- and thank you so much Missy for posting for us!