Mischief Men

Just look at these faces! Can you see the mischief of boys in this house? Most days we think that this mischief is loads of fun... That's why we're making it a trio! That's right, you heard it. We've got another son whom we are eagerly awaiting to bring over 7500 miles to his home here in Michigan.

It's crazy how attached one can become to a name, a photo, the notion and a promise. He is 7 and a half months old and doesn't even know we exist, how much he is loved and cherished, the mischief his brothers have planned for him... I wish I could tell him. I wish I could hold him. I wish I could make him laugh. I wish he knew we were coming.

James 1:27 says religion in its purest form is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. The latter part can feel like a bit of a tall order, but this much I know is true: Hambisa, you are no longer an orphan.

It has been years that we have talked about adoption; it was a normal part of our family conversation It has been just months since we began the official process and home study, back in August. Early in the process, Macabe and Bennett were told we were going to be adopting from Ethiopia. With several books from the library to help explain a bit of the country, we all sat on the bed to learn a little more together. Macabe was so captivated by the photos and the notion, he took a headlamp to bed, along with those library books to continue the exploration.

In the beginning, adoption preparation is just a lot of paperwork. It feels impersonal to be thinking of adding to the family and just having busy work. But that's all before the referral comes. Now we sit and wait for the US and the Ethiopian governments to process the necessary paperwork to make this happen smoothly for our growing family. In the meantime, we will continue to talk to his picture, to pray for our little man, and learn how to wait with patience and grace.