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Many years ago,Daniel's uncle and aunt heard the LORD calling them into missionary work in Mongolia.Before they left,they sold everything they owned.We went to say our goodbyes and as we entered their home,I noticed it was bare.I couldn't understand how they could do that.I had a difficult time understanding how they could just up and sell EVERYTHING!Now,I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ then,but I didn't understand then what I've come to understand now.When Jesus calls ,IF I am closely walking with Him and listening to His call,I will obey Him.
Well,in 2008,we were comfortably settled in with Gabby and Danni who were not toddlers any longer,but giggly girls of 7 and 4. I was homeschooling and teaching the girls fiddle.Daniel nor I thought anything about adopting from China again,as we knew we were past the age of acceptability to adopt.The LORD began speaking to us,this time through our eldest daughter Gabby."Mommy,you can adopt from Africa."Well,we looked into it and sure enough,they honored older folks,like Daniel and I.Well,one thing we have come to accept....Whenever we set out to adopt a child,the minute we sign those adoption papers,it never fails that satan is right there to discourage us,cause us to question our ability to raise another child.We started doubting and thinking about finances,sleepless nights,more poopy diapers[now tell me,how many 53 year old men do you know who are willing to change poopy diapers at 3 a.m.?]
long plane rides and strange foods!What did we just sign on for?!
Well,our prayers were answered,but not in the way we had expected......
Pulling up into our driveway,after getting groceries with the girls,we found the front door wide open! Someone had broken into our home.The casing around the door and the drywall were all smashed in with electrical wires sticking out. I checked inside the house before I let the girls come in,in case someone was still there.After getting the girls out of the car,I quickly called Daniel.It's such an eerie feeling to know a stranger was in our home.I found myself more upset that they dumped the trash out so they could use the bag to load up on our belongings! I must have been in shock because all I could think about was how they dirtied up my clean kitchen floor! Well,we called the police,but they couldn't do much but take a report for the insurance claim.They told us to make a list of everything that was missing.....Daniel's guitar, hunting rifle and spotting scope were gone along with the TV, DVD and Camcorder.I found that my huge jewelry box was gone,as well.I had pretty jewelry.Oh,it was costume jewelry,but it was pretty.
I was so angry and I began to suspect everyone who drove by[I'm sure my neighbors would appreciate knowing this].I kept asking the LORD why He allowed this to happen when all we were trying to do was adopt a baby! The answer came a few weeks later when we received our insurance claim check from the robbery.It was a check for $3,000. and I immediately began to write a list of all the places I was going to shop to replace my beautiful jewels! It was then I heard a voice that I have come to know so well.....my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ....."Tammy,this money is not for you".
Right then I knew our prayers had been answered ....and through a robbery,of all things!
Romans 8:28 says"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,to those who are called according to His purpose." I love when the LORD does that!
When a circumstance in my life reveals God's word to me in such a way that His word isn't just a Scripture verse,something to memorize,but it is a fire in my soul and it is living and breathing in my life! Well,not only did we have the adoption fees for the last part of our adoption before going to Ethiopia,but the LORD gave me peace about being paranoid of all the people driving by our house"casing the joint" for another robbery!
9 months later, we finally arrived in Ethiopia.It was after dark and our guide took us to the guest house.It was dark inside and when our guide went to turn the kitchen light on,there were bugs crawling all over the walls, floor and counters! I was mortified! I kept my composure long enough to say goodbye to our guide,for the evening.We went to our room and I began to cry! I told Daniel that we were leaving the very next morning! I slept with the lamp light on,so the bugs wouldn't come near me through the night.Daniel quietly reminded me why we had come...I remained self centered and cried myself to sleep[I can only imagine what the Ethiopians think of this very immature, American woman]!
The next morning,I awoke to the wonderful smells of eggs and toast and the sound of English voices! I quickly took a shower,as Daniel had already gone to breakfast and I could hear him talking and laughing with the other American couple,who were also adopting .The sun shone through the bathroom window and I was excited for the first time since we landed in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia!
Things were looking brighter.The LORD may pull me out of my comfort zone,but He always gives me a cushion to rest on.Today,we were going to meet our new baby! Esther Asegedesh came to us with TB.She was 16 months old but was wearing 9 month old clothes.Her birth mother died of TB and Typhoid and her father couldn't care for her by himself,so she became ours....
Esther Asegedesh cried when she saw Daniel and I.She cried the following day when we came to visit the orphanage.On the third day I came prepared... I brought a chocolate bar! I cannot describe the joy of Esther! So tiny and those huge deep brown eyes! Her skin color is my favorite candy color...Hershey Kisses.And so appropriate! When I look at her,even now at 7 years old, I can only hear the voice of my Master saying to me,"Tammy,I returned your jewels to you, her name is Esther."
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