Happy (BUSY!) Summer

We are still here and having a great summer! Between VBS, vacations, visits from family, county fair, and swimming in the pond, I haven't found a time to write. I guess I needed a summer break, I just hope someone comes back to read:)

Our adjustment to a family of 5 has been harder than we expected. We are pretty much beat each evening while the kids are still going strong. Slowly we getting a new "normal". Eli loves us all very well, but I think we took attachment for granted, so we are backing up a bit to give him more attention too. And he's just so cute, who wouldn't want to lay and cuddle and tickle him?!

Eli loved this slide on vacation!

We just returned from a weeks vacation, and found out that while we were gone the judge signed our adoption papers (in our county you don't go see the judge). Ethiopian courts had already done this, but we re-adopt here to complete the process. This also included changing his name. As of July 6, 2009 our son is officially Eli Tamru Ausbrooks. (Ethiopian court had given him the name Tamru Joshua Ausbrooks.)



All God's Children included this poem in their newsletter recently, and it touched my mother's heart. I remember the months of waiting for Eli to come home, and my feelings are still fresh. But how did he feel? I shouldn't wonder that its taking time for him adjust to us. One thing is for sure, when I kiss him good night there is no doubt God made us for each other.

I am waiting…somewhere far, far away…on the other side of the world.

I may not know who you are or what you look like.

But somehow, deep in my heart, I know you are out there.

That one day you will come and find me.

It's a long journey, and it takes a lot of time.

I wish it could be easier.

But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost.

They will only see the joy of finding me.

For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless.

Day by day wondering, "Why was I born here and not somewhere else?"

Asking, "Why couldn't my life have been different?"

It is so lonely…

Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children,I know that something is missing.

I know in my heart I need a place to call home.

My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace…

I long to be saved by a mother's love.

Gazing out the orphanage window, I offer a prayer of hope,

"Oh God, please help them come quickly."

Even as I lay in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured.

That no matter how lost I appear I am not alone.

Holy hands guard my steps;

sacred fingers wipe my tears…Touching my lonely heart.

The one who made me,

The God who knew me before I was born,

Hears me every time I call.

He whispers His promises in my ear.

I listen with hope to His voice.

But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me.

The fields are vast, and there are so many scattered all over the earth.

I wonder how one little child, so lost, can be found.

Yet He calms my heart and assures me that He will find you.

That He will make sure you hear His voice clearly.

He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields.

That He will personally cut a path, and lead you right to my orphanage door.

My prayer is…

When He speaks, please don't forget to listen.

When He calls, don't be too afraid to go.

For I am waiting…somewhere far, far away.

Are you listening for the voice of God?