adoption rocks :)

We had a great time last night with our African Fellowship families...families home with their children...families waiting for court dates...families just starting the paper-chase!!  We are so excited about the new friends that we've made -- we look forward to all the new families who will be joining us next month!!

Pic: Ben, Micah (holding a pic of baby Andrew, his mom is waiting for their court date) & Gizatu!

Ethio-Africa Fellowship, 10/15!!

Tomorrow night we're hosting an Ethiopia-African Fellowship at our home!  There's no agenda for the evening...just the opportunity for our families to hang-out!  We meet the 3rd Fri of every month (so mark your calendars)!  If you'd like to join us and want more info, email me here.

Also, a {big} congrats to our silent auction winners!  And Thank You to all who participated! 
We raised $500!!

the idolatry of justice

Social justice...adoption...it's all the rave right now.
At least, that's how many outsiders, if you will, view the efforts of Christian social justice...it's the cool thing to do.
Um...yeah...right?
That's why our family is going broke and giving strangers our last name.
It's sooooo darn cooooool!

Seriously, in the world of Christian thinkers, there is among some, a slight hesitation toward social justice. Even an uneasiness toward adoption, and foster-care. And, some of their concerns are legitimate...the main one being, that Believers could get so caught-up in administering justice, that they lose sight of why they are administering it....becoming just another secular group of do-gooders.

For Followers of Jesus, the why that fuels our desire for justice is to bring God glory...to make His name known among the nations...to give hope to the hopeless by proclaiming the year of spiritual Jubilee!

That said, we (I!!) could benefit from considering the hesitations of our critics.

Where in the world am I going with this?
I'm actually intending to follow-up my previous post, because I want to share a comment from someone who read the post.

comment from KLT:
Alisa,
In my own life, I can't help but think that there are times, despite my originally pure (as much as I can know) motives in our adoption journeys, that some part of the process becomes an idol itself. Instead of following God, I get more concerned about what I think should be happening. How is it that I find it so hard to maintain the clarity of focus of knowing His heart and loving Him first, when I am captivated by what I believe to be one of His passions! It's a paradox, I think, but one that is a constant struggle for me and, perhaps, captures some of what you've been feeling lately, too. I'm praying right now for a fresh outpouring of God's grace for your moments of trial in the days to come.

KLT described, with much wisdom, the paradox that surfaced in my previous post. Though I am deeply motivated in my call to adopt by God's love poured-out in my own life. I can easily lose sight of the Heart that's guiding my every turn...and instead of glorifying the Problem-Solver, I glorify the problems. I focus on my anxiety, above God's will. And when I do that, I am relying on my anxiety and limited trouble-shooting ability...instead of turning to prayer and God's Word. It's not quite the same as becoming a secular do-gooder, but it does resemble the hopelessness of person alienated from Christ. Again, instead of worshipping the One True God...the One True Problem-Solver...I have made a god of circumstances and details that are far beyond my control.

So, again, where in the world am I going with all this??
Well, I'm really not sure, so I will leave you with this...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom 15:13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:3-4

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thes 2:16-17

New Orleans and FOREVER FAMILIES

We had the awesome opportunity to gather with dear Ethiopian adoptive families in NOLA last week-end. What a sweet time! It's so fun to see how much our kids have changed since they came home -- and to watch them play and interact together. And New Orleans is such a perfect place to meet...we all parked our cars, stayed at the same hotel, and took to the streets. There was something for everyone to do!!

This wasn't intentional, but here we have Micah with all ladies. All the mommies are already talking arranged-marriages amongst each other-- heh heh!!

Micah David and Micah Yoseph.

Jane Grace and Micah. We took Jane Grace a care-package when we traveled to Ethiopia (her family picked her up several months later).

Bread Pudding...a highlight for me!! Micah enjoyed a few bites as well, and promptly pitched a crying-screaming-manic fit when mommy told him last bite. It was so embarrassing--we were in a jam-packed restaurant the size of a large kitchen--so we had quite an audience. The sweet ladies behind the counter brought him a to-go box full of bread pudding, thinking he'd be happy to have a carry-out bag. But, oh no, it was either shovel it down his throat or scream. Needless to say, we went back to the hotel for a nap.

Strolling after breakfast at Cafe du Monde...

Our room with a view.

Our first Birmingham Adoption Fellowship!!!!

Last night we had a pseudo-Genna party at our house!! A house FULL of old and new friends joined us with their kiddos, and their stories of the kiddos they anticipate joining their families!! We had a wonderful, crazy evening! This had actually been a missing piece from our Springfield days. When Vince and I started our journey to Micah, we had a fantastic opportunity to hang-out monthly with other African adoptive families....and we have missed this group SO MUCH!!!!! There's just something special about the bond between adoptive families -- and especially transracial adoptive families....a place to feel safe...and normal!! But was last night a beautiful reminder that we can have that right here in Birmingham, too!! I think all the families were equally encouraged and we all promised each other that we're going to do this often!!!

Two of the families who joined us have children adopted from Ethiopia. One family had recently completed the adoption of a beautiful African-American baby boy. A fourth family is anxiously awaiting the call about their daughter in Uganda. And the rest of the families are pursuing/praying about adoption/fostering.

Juda, Ben and Micah (baby Cooper will be romping around with them soon enough!!)

Stephanie, Casey and baby Cooper

Micah's Genna gift. Traditionally, clothing is given to children for Genna, but I goofed and gave Micah his sweat suit for Christmas and left the train for Genna. Oh, details, details!