Ethiopian Names

Now that our dossier has been submitted I'm concentrating my time with other things regarding our child/ren. So I've started rethinking names. For years I thought I knew what I would name my children but lately I'm really thinking that I want names that will reflect my child's culture. Below are the names I'm thinking of. Any thoughts?

Original Names: Payton Paige (Girl) and Brody Keith (Boy - Keith was my dad's middle name.)

New Considerations: 1-2 Girl Names and 3-7 Boy Names

1.) Amara - Amharic (Abyssinia) 'paradise' or 'eternally beautiful'
2.) Ayana - Oromia 'beautiful flower'

3.) Aman - Amharic 'peace'
4.) Amare - Amharic 'he looks good'
5.) Aron - Biblical 'Exalted'
6.) Finhas - Biblical 'Ethiopian King' 'an oracle'
7.) Kaleb/Caleb - Amharic/Tigrian Biblical 'the devoted one'

2 Year Old singing Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me"

One of my fb friends posted this on her page recently. Too cute not to share.


2 Year Old singing Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me"

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Woke this morning to fresh snow on the ground. Today was the first snow of the season. Our dog, Kya, loves it! I still prefer the heat but it is beautiful. I only have a few more things to do before I'm completely ready for the holiday's. Hope you're almost ready too! 

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

Hope you enjoy this. A friend of mine sent this to me a couple weeks ago and I thought it was worthy of sharing. 

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if  you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8. 

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1.) Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. 

2.) Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. 

3.) Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up...It will be nice hearing from you again.

4.) Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 

5.) Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6.) Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. 

7.) Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. 

8.) If you really want to make a difference support a missionary -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. 

9.) Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 

10.) Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. 

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: 

I LOVE YOU, 

Jesus

  

Grateful

Had a great time with family over Thanksgiving. I am so thankful we were able to come home this year. It's been a while since Cory and I were able to. It certainly isn't the same without my Dad and other loved ones we've lost but we are so grateful to have had quality time with each of them. We are a very blessed family. Over the years I've come to realize just how blessed. 

National Adoption Day

November is National Adoption Month and today is the official National Adoption Day! Until last month, I had no idea this day existed. Thank you Jennifer C.! I am so blessed to have been placed in contact with so many wonderful families that share our experience with adopting through Ethiopia. I have learned so much and I am so inspired by the journey's you have taken. Thank you all so much! It is an honor to share in the celebration of this day! 

Sad Goodbye

Today has been a rough day for our family. My Uncle Gary past away early this morning due to complications with his gallbladder surgery. It's so hard to say goodbye to loved ones, especially when you feel it's too soon. He was such a good person and we will miss him and all his stories. He had some good ones. He was so fun!

Please be praying for Darlene, Amy, Brian and Bobbie Joe. This is a very difficult time for all the family but especially for them. You never get over or stop missing a husband or father. Cards are encouraged. You will never know what a comfort it is to have someone acknowledge your pain. The hardest part will be after the funeral is over and everyone seems to go back to their normal lives. Even though you know you aren't, you feel forgotten and sometimes even avoided. Please show your support and pray for them during this hard time. I'm sure Gary is up in heaven celebrating with my dad, grandma, grandpa and other loved ones right now but he will certainly be missed until we join them.