One year ago...

Daddy and I are reminiscing this week, and we're both having a really hard time wrapping our minds around what we were doing on these days one year ago.  It is hard to believe that the paper pushing, social worker visits, parenting classes, prayer, fundraising, and anticipation in the year preceding this last one (March 2010 to March 2011) culminated in us finally meeting our son one year ago, on March 12, 2012.  It is also really hard to wrap our minds around what has happened since March 12, 2012.  So much anticipation and joy and excitement and missing and longing and preparing and enjoying and loving and hoping and praising and thanking and celebrating and worrying and praying.  It all seems so surreal.

We met some really amazing people.  Really.  Amazing.  People.  We now miss a lot of really amazing people.  I know that God brought us all together for a reason on those trips.  People who I had NOTHING in common with I am now linked to in ways that few people can understand.  Only God can do that.

Holt social worker - Miruk - invaluable.

Another invaluable Holt social worker (can't believe we don't know her name! Anyone?)

One of our favorite drivers.

Travel group from our second trip. 

Beautiful cook from Jemimah Guest House.  I miss her smile like crazy!!

Two of the couples from our first trip.

Friend and driver - Daniel Alemayehu

We saw some really amazing things.  Really.  Amazing.  Things.  Never would I have thought that I would spend time in the largest building in the world,

Emirates Airport, Terminal 3, Dubai

or stood at the base of the tallest building in the world,

The Tower - Dubai

or stand with my feet in the Persian Gulf,

or have dinner in the home of an Ethiopian family IN Ethiopia,

The amazingly hospitable Alemayehu family.

or tour a fistula hospital,

Hamlin Fistula Hospital - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

or see a pack of monkeys run across the road, or have children with my son's face beg for food.

Only God can do that.

We will NEVER be the same.  We left a large piece of our hearts in Ethiopia and we both long to go back.  We think about those trips nearly daily, look at photos often, and dream about the day that we can go back.  Only God can do that.

This past year has taught us a lot about faith and provision and family.  It has opened our hearts and minds to things WAY outside our comfort zone.  It has challenged us mentally and physically and spiritually.  It has expanded our extended family to the ends of this earth.  It has brought us deep, deep sadness and great, great joy beyond anything we could have imagined.  Only God can do that.

It's amazing what saying one simple word to God can do.