Trains and Thankfulness

On Saturday we were on a mission to find a new storage unit for our DVDs. Our former DVD towers didn't prove to be so kid-friendly. That point was confirmed when Judah pushed one of them over twice in the span of a couple weeks. If Addise would've been on the other side...yikes.

Our mission found us at Ikea, and as we wandered through the maze that is Ikea we didn't find a new storage unit, but we did find a train set. Brian was set that Judah needed it. I didn't argue.

So we brought home the train set and put our sleeping babies in their cribs and plotted to have the train set up for when Judah woke up from his nap. When Judah woke up I went to pick him up and Brian sat next to the train set. I smooched Judah a few times and made sure he was alert before I brought him out of the bedroom. As I carried my groggy son into the living room, I quietly exclaimed, "Judah, look what Daddy got for you - a train set!" Immediately, Judah perked up, smiled his silly grin, and squirmed down from my arms. I thought he'd delve into the magic of the train set, but instead he made a bee line for his daddy. He threw his arms around Brian's neck, planted a big kiss or two on his lips, and let out a contented sigh. After a moment, he plopped down to explore his gift.

This momma lost it. Tears.

Judah recognized the giver of this good gift. Instead of diving into the joy of the gift, he wanted to properly thank his daddy. Only after a moment of connection with his dad did he actually go to enjoy his train set. My tears came because I wondered if Judah had EVER been given a gift like he did that day. A gift. Just for him. Thoughtfully displayed for his enjoyment.

Of course, it also was a picture of God and his child. I wish I would be more like Judah when it comes to properly thanking my God for his gifts before I immerse myself in the enjoyment of those gifts.

Finally, it was a picture to me of the goodness of a daddy. Brian wanted to get Judah that train set. He knew his son would like it. And he wanted to set it up so that it would be joyful surprise for his son when he woke up from his nap. [So many spiritual analogies that I don't want to spoil it by adding my commentary. I hope you see them.]

This little guy is teaching me so much. I'm so glad that he's our son.

What I Most Want to Say...

We've been home with Judah and Addise for exactly 1 week and what a week it's been!! I've been well informed by our faithful blog community that blog posts are eagerly awaited. I know you most want to hear how the trip to Ethiopia went, what our first days as a family in Addis were like, what the trip home was like [one word: HARD! I will blog more on this], what Judah and Addise are like, see pictures and videos [we have LOTS!], and maybe you're even wondering how Brian and I are holding up. I hope post ad nauseum - mainly for Judah and Addise's sake one day - but today I want to start with the one thing I can't get off my tired momma brain.

My greatest hope and prayer is that our adoption
will cause many of YOU to adopt.

A long time ago I sensed that our adoption wasn't just about the 2 kids that would become Diaz's. I wasn't thrilled about the idea because it was so personal and because I had a sense that some things were taking longer so that God could pull more of your hearts into our story. A while back I accepted the reality that our story was larger than our little family. While I'm honored, moved, and humbled that so many of you [some I don't even know, others I've known forever but haven't walked with in years] have followed our journey, I desperately hope our story and Judah and Addise's homecoming irrefutably compels many, many of you to bring orphans into your family.

I haven't been shy about calling people toward caring for orphans. I firmly believe that ALL Christ followers are called to care for orphans in some way, shape, or form. [I believe that Christians could solve the orphan problem if we would just respond.] But I deeply hope beyond all hope that more Christians will respond to welcome the orphan into their family and call them "my child". I pray you'll go all the way. I believe that some of you are called to adopt, and I hope you will. I hope you will trust God with your fears, the finances, the barriers. I hope you will say "yes" to one of the most amazing journeys you could experience in life. I would wish adoption on anyone. Clearly it has utterly changed us. MUCH LOVE, my faithful blog friends!!! The best is yet to come...

Welcome home, Judah and Addise!

12 Days of Christmas :: Provision

Day 6 :: I am grateful that God always provides.

When we started our adoption we knew it would cost $20,000-25,000. We knew that we didn't have that money in any bank accounts. But we felt called to adopt. So we moved forward in faith. And EVERY SINGLE step along the way God has provided. Thousands of dollars. From the most unexpected places! From people we barely know. From friends who've followed our journey over thousands of miles. From family and friends who have deeply sacrificed to bring home our babies.

Then the original amount changed. We decided to adopt 2 kiddos. Thousands more dollars. Then we found out about a 2nd necessary trip. Thousands more dollars.

But with every additional cost, God opened up his pocketbooks and graciously provided the money. Almost to the dollar every single time. It's proof that God loves orphans and longs they are brought home into forever families. We were moved to tears many times as we opened envelopes and received agency financial statements. Sometimes it seemed like our bank accounts didn't humanly calculate.

Even, today I'm challenged to REMEMBER the One who provides. He's got us this far. He'll get us through the next season. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He cares for the flowers in the fields and sparrows in the sky. Certainly he'll care for the Diaz family and all his children.