We continue to realize (with some added help from some experienced parents staying in the guest home with us) that we are in survival mode while we’re here. It’s sort of like bootcamp.
Although the guest home (we’d HIGHLY recommend it — Ethiopian Guest Home) is amazing, it’s still a small space for 5 families and their children.
Ethiopian adoptive families have been asked by the Joint Council on International Adoption to not take the new children out in public so as to respect the Ethiopian people and the pride they have in their country and children. So we’re here all day … with lots of helping hands around us to hold and love the kids and also comfort when we’re a little undone ourselves because we don’t quite understand the latest meltdown.
Each day — each hour — seems to be getting better. We are learning (we think 
) some of the triggers that seem to cause more confusion for them — and thus more anxiety and fear. We are learning how to pray over them for the things which God reveals minute by minute. We are learning that we’re going to probably mess up multiple times in a day but they will bounce back … and that God (not us) is truly the healer of their hearts. We are learning that although a smile, hug, arms held high in the air as a request to be picked up or a shout from across the room of “Mommy!” or “Daddy!” is amazing … we’re not in this to get love back from them.
And we’re learning them.
They both like to clean (thank you, God!). Eden wiped the floor with “soft” (Amharic for “tissue”) after dinner last night and Caleb likes closing all the closet doors. Caleb is more secure in a room when dad is around and Eden loves to dress up, sing and dance. She has an explosive laugh that is contagious. They like to know when food is put on the table that they are going to get some — something as simple as giving them a piece of bread the second they sit down that they can hold themselves enables us to feed them the rest of the meal.
And they are learning too.
For the first time today they both said “baca” (finished) before finishing two full plates of food. I think they are starting to see the next meal is coming. Although we were still the last at the table, there was a lot more peace around breakfast.
Although survival mode isn’t ideal, we both have felt the presence of God so thick. We’re exhausted and emotionally drained … but so certain this is exactly where we are supposed to be.
And neither one of us have a doubt that this road we’re walking was the one He set out for us.
I almost can’t believe it’s July 15. Weeks ago it didn’t seem quite real that you would be in ET with your children on this day. I can’t get enough of reading what you’ve written on your blog, and God is using your experiences in some interesting ways here. We continue to pray and are so excited that soon your will be here!!!
Susan
Wow… amazing stuff. These are so clearly *your* children! We feel like we can imagine you with them perfectly, between the pics, and the description here. So wonderful. Praying for renewed strength and increasing peace for you four… =)
Hi, I’m a PAP with your agency who has been lurking and enjoying your trip vicariously. I adopted my son last year and wanted to tell you (if it helps), that you absolutely will survive “survival mode” – even if at times you feel you can’t make it. You’ll be carried through it and when you look back you’ll be amazed at the trials and so relieved to know your family has conquered them at such a vulnerable point. I know you are aware of the fact that you’re truly blessed – what I didn’t know until later (after surviving the transition) was that the blessings continue to grow. Congratulations!
Michelle
We can’t wait until you guys come home! Lily is anxious to play dressup and sing and dance with Eden. And we have some great dressup clothes for her as well!
Sara & Nate,
Thank you both so much for sharing these photos of your precious new family. They are absolutely beautiful!
Please let us know when you will be back in Ohio. We’d love to meet Eden and Caleb and give them a big hug!. We wish you all God’s blessings and happiness always.
Love,
Aunt Pam & Uncle Bill