Psalm 62....Wait in Silence.

I taught the teens last night out of Psalm 46. I reminded them that the Psalms were song lyrics. That it's like opening up a CD case and pulling out the liner.

If you hurry you can download Robbie Seay's EP Psalms vol.1 free from Noisetrade. Do it now. I'll wait. What are you still reading for...you're suppose to be downloading.  Good.  Now that we have that done, we can proceed.

This EP has been rocking my world.  I have had it on loop.  Particularly track 2....which is Psalm 62.   I'm going to put the actual Psalm here for you and the the Youtube video (for those who are rebels who can't follow directions and just download the album to their computer).  If you wanna read first and listen later, or listen first and then read or if you're able to do both.  Then scroll down for some final thoughts.

62 My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
² He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

³ How long will you assail a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
⁴ They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;
They delight in falsehood;
They bless with ^[b]their mouth,
But inwardly they curse. ^[c]Selah.

⁵ My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
⁷ On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

⁹ Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than breath.
¹⁰ Do not trust in oppression
And do not ^[d]vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

^11 [e]Once God has spoken;
^[f]Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;
¹² And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
For You recompense a man according to his work.

Wait in silence.  Yeah we're all really good at that.  Right?

I don't want to be silent.  I want my son to come home.  I want to yell.  I want to cry out.  I want to shake my fist in anger and frustration.  Nothing anyone can say will justify my boy being anywhere but in my house.  I don't want to be silent.  I want to quit my job and move to Ethiopia so my son can live with me.

I am reminded that God is my refuge.  Where would I be without knowing that there's a bigger plan that I don't see....and might never.

Trust in Him at all times......and wait.

Wait.  Wait in silence.  I need to work on that.

Frustration and News 10/11

I had planned to write a post for this week no matter what.  Earlier this week, I thought that it would have a much different tone, than I'm able to write with right now.  I'm not good at it, but I'll try hard to not tell a story and instead cut to the chase.  Long story short.  That sort of thing.  Trust me, this is the SHORT version.

The past week has been rough.  Really rough.

There's a document we needed to fill out.  To do so we needed some numbers from the government....to fill out THEIR document.  So after two e-mails that were never answered, I found a number to call.  I sat on hold for 1/2 hour to be told that my birthday wasn't right in their computer....not my fault, but I scanned my passport and sent it back to them....via e-mail which they never replied to.  The next day I sat on hold for another 1/2 hour and they gave me the info I needed.  So I filled out the document.

I was then told by our agency that they (government) should've sent me a confirmation letter.  Monday I called for a third time and another 1/2 hour on hold to be told that now E's birthday was wrong in their computer and they didn't want to talk to me.  To which I got a little riled up. 

What you don't know is that Tuesday is the day that paperwork gets submitted to the US Embassy in Ethiopia.  So if we didn't want to wait another week, it needed done now.  Basically we resigned ourselves to not getting into Embassy.  We were told that they would take our papers with them and plead our case.

So I woke up Tuesday morning to find an e-mail from the US Embassy saying that our paperwork was accepted!!!!  Thank you Lord!  I just don't think I could've taken much more.  I was so frustrated.

Beyond just us though....2 other families who we're friends with and also had paper problems also got in on Tuesday too.  I was probably as happy for them as for us. 

So what's next?  We wait.  More.  Longer.  The Embassy now researches E's story. And at some point in the future they tell us to come get him.

So out of all of this, I have been profoundly impressed by this:  I know you're reading our blog right now....probably because you know us.  But there are a bunch of other families who are as stuck and hurting as we are.  Some we know and keep in touch with.  Some we don't know.  They're crying at night because they're seeing their child grow up via pictures without them.  They're gritting their teeth when they sleep.  They're clenching their fists.  They're putting on a good face when people ask them "if they've heard anything or when's he coming home".  They're hurting.  All the while...they're jumping through ridiculous hoops only to be put on the back burner. 

I say this because from day one this blog has been about sharing with you not just our story....but the story of adoption.  It's not always pretty or happy.  While we rejoice with friends that we all got in this week....none of us probably should have....and others probably didn't. 

So this week as you pray for us (please continue to do so, because we're still desperately in need of your prayers) please pray for some other families in the midst of waiting. 


Finally...in the midst of a frustrating week, we got new pictures of E. 
On one hand it's good to see him.  It's good to see his half smile.  It also hurts me to my core.  He's not in my house.  He's not half smiling with toys from our play room.  He's not here.  He needs to come home now.

Reason to Sing part 2

I just found this post that I wrote last month while we were in Ethiopia.

I'm writing this from Addis Ababa.  Marjorie and I are sitting in the living room of our guesthouse reading books.  It's quiet.  She asked me to put some music on while we read.  So I did.

First we listened to a Waterdeep album and then I switched it to All Sons and Daughters.  I could sing every lyric on this album....and usually do....but tonight it was just light background sound to read by....and my book is good enough that I was able to block it out.

Then I finished a chapter and wanted to see if the Internet was actually going to work tonight or not.  Do you know what song was playing?  "Reason to Sing".  And do you know what part of that song it was on?  The bridge.  About a year ago I blogged about his song.  Particularly the bridge.  We were frustrated with paperwork and fundraising.

The bridge goes like this:

"If there be a victory, will you sing it over me now?

Your peace is the melody.  Will you sing it over me now?"

So in our frustration we were singing that out.  "God remind us you're in control here and know what's happening down here.

Back to today....almost a year later....I got to meet my son for the first time today.  He is gorgeous to me.  I am overcome with emotion.

The journey is not over.  We leave soon and E stays here.  We have to leave our son behind....but knowing that hopefully in a few months we come back here to bring him home forever.  God doesn't EVER need to prove himself to me....but days like today make me know without a shadow of a doubt that God is real, and that his plan for my life is amazingly complex and wonderful.

At the very end of the song the lyrics go like this:

" I need a reason to sing

I need a reason to sing

I need to know that you're still holding the whole world in Your hand.

That is a reason to sing"

The whole world in your hands.....from little old Warren PA to Addis Ababa Ethiopia.  This is a reason to sing.

Coin Jewelry Fundraiser

As we've shared with you previously, we're still in need of funding our second trip to Ethiopia to bring E home.  We are still selling our T-shirts (hurry sizes are now limited and when they're gone, they're gone). As you can see from our new thermometer graph (right toolbar) we're just shy of 500 dollars toward our goal.  We need to get moving on this though.

So we introduce to you our new fundraiser.  We are now selling some Ethiopian coin jewelry.  We currently have 4 different items for purchase.  Note that each item has a minimum suggested donation.  Also, if you have donated to our adoption since we've returned from Ethiopia (you know who you are) contact us right away with the item you want and we'll get it out to you.

Before we get to the good stuff we wanted to point out that on each of the coins is the Lion of Judah.  Ethiopia has a long rich history.  Part of that history is Biblical.  The Queen of Sheba goes to King Solomon's court because she heard how wise he is.  He then gives her "all her desire, whatever she asked".  Ethiopian tradition is that the Queen took the Ark of the Covenant back to Ethiopia where it remains to this day.  Also that the Queen fell in love with Solomon and that she had a child by him and thus the royal blood line, the Lion of Judah, was passed down through Ethiopia.

We like the Lion side best, but we've pictured each jewelery piece with the alternate side, should you like that as well.

You should also know that the Ethiopian currency is the Birr.  Currently the Birr is 18.9 to the US dollar.

2 single necklace sets and 2 necklace and earring combos.

We start out with a 1 Birr coin necklace.  Lion of Judah on one side, scales on the other.  (for our Canadian family and friends this is just a tiny bit smaller than a Tooney).  It's a bit larger than a US quarter.   Suggested minimum donation $8

 Next we have a 10 sentum (cent) coin.  Lion on one side, Mountain Nyala on the other side.  A little larger than the size of a US nickel.  Suggested minimum donation $8.

Next we have a package set.  You get a 50 sentum (cent) coin necklace (lion on one side, victory party over emperor in 1974...about the size of a US quarter) AND a pair of 25 sentum ear rings (lion on one side and two workers celebrating....about the size of a US nickel).  Suggested minimum donation $15

Finally we have another package for you.  The necklace is the same necklace we started with...the 1 Birr coin (lion on one side, scales on the other).  The ear rings are 5 sentum coins (about the size of a US penny).  The lion hangs outward with a soldier on the alternate side.  Suggested minimum donation $15.

As with any donations to our adoption, you can use the Paypal Donate button in the left column.  You can also make checks payable to Aaron Reinard  12 Central Ave. Warren PA  16365.


We have plenty of the 1 Birr necklaces.  Everything else is limited quantities and when they're gone, they're gone.  Christmas is coming.  These would look lovely in a stocking. 

Minor News Update 9/20

NOTE:  We have a new fundraiser that we're going to introduce VERY soon (maybe even tonight)....and it's cool.  So you're going to want to check back in on the blog soon.

Relax, we still don't know when we're going. 

HOWEVER....we got something awesome today....actually minutes ago...and we wanted to tell you.

E has a passport!!!!!  That's a really good thing.  We're one small step closer.

What happens next?  Monday morning has a physical for his visa application.  That'll take a couple days.  Then the following Tuesday all his stuff goes to Embassy.

One step closer to bringing E home!!!!!!

Finances: Bring E home

From day one of this adoption journey (and blog) we have said that this is crazy.  We didn't and don't have the money for this adoption....yet we felt clearly that God was saying "go for it, I'm gonna take care of it."  Up to this point that has been 100% true.

We have yet to come to a point in this journey where we didn't have money to pay the next bill.

Last summer we were very worried because funds just weren't coming in....and then it just happened.  Little by little.  Bit by bit (a few bits were pretty big) money came in.

We can only say PRAISE GOD!!!!  and also Thank you for being part as well.

In our attempt to remain transparent with the financing of this adoption we felt like we needed to let you know where we're at.

We had the money to pay for our plane tickets for our first trip to Ethiopia......just.  Because we had to travel in summer prices were up.  Because we had to travel last minute, prices were up.  Because there is conflict throughout the Middle East prices were up...unless we wanted to fly into Cairo right as it erupted.  So we were able to buy our tickets with only a few hundred dollars to spare......which then went to pay for room, board, and transportation to go see our son.

Early on in our adoption, someone close to us set aside some money for "a trip" to Ethiopia.  That money hasn't been touched.  We know that we have that money to pay for part of our flights.  However, we also know that that won't cover the entire trip.

So where does that leave us?
-We're guessing that we need to raise around $2,000 to cover the remaining expenses of bringing E home.

-There are still T-shirts available.  They're "on sale" now for 15 dollars local and 18 dollars shipped in the US and Canada (youth sizes S, M and L;  adult size S, M, and XL....sorry out of L)

-We have another very cool fundraiser that we hope to unveil to you in the next week.  It's going to be sweet.  Christmas is coming and you'll want to pick this up.

-Would you consider helping us bring E home?  As we said early on, a very little bit goes a long way.  If 200 people give only 5 dollars we're half way there.  Would consider a one time donation...however large or small that is?

To do so you can donate online via our paypal donation button in the right column.
You can also send checks to
 Aaron Reinard
12 Central Ave.
Warren PA  16365

 -Please please please continue to keep our whole family in your prayers.  Obviously Marjorie and I are anxious to bring E home, but so are Corban and Tobiah.  The waiting is weighing on our whole family. 

Ethiopia Trip #1: Perception of Ethiopia

So what do you know about Ethiopia? 

You probably know it's in Africa.  But where?  East?  West?  South?  North?  Could you put your finger immediately on it if you were given a map?  Is it on the coast? 

What about the weather?  It's Africa right?....so it must be pretty hot.  Right?  Every movie you've seen of Africa is either deserts or jungle....so it has to be either hot and dry or hot and wet.  Right? 

How about animals?  Africa means Elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and monkeys. 


OK let's be done with the guessing game.  Let me tell you about the country of Ethiopia that we continue to fall deeper in love with.

Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa in an area referred to as the Horn of Africa.....because it looks like a horn.  See that was easy.   Ethiopia is a land locked country.  This creates some problems for the country....which you can probably imagine.  Importing things isn't easy or cheap. 

We talked to several people about cars particularly.  Most vehicles are old Toyota's.  Taxi cabs are early 90's Lavda's from Russia.  HOWEVER....a nice shape 92 Toyota Corolla would still cost 15k US!!!  There are a couple Chinese car manufacturers in country, but everyone says they're garbage and parts are hard to come by.  If you can figure out how to cheaply import Toyota's to Ethiopia you're golden!

Ethiopia is not a desert.  Though there are tiny parts of the country that are the edge of deserts.  It is not a jungle either.  I think of Ethiopia as lush.  It's green.  When I was a kid in the 80's we saw the massive drought in Ethiopia where thousands died of malnutrition......that's not Ethiopia today. Check out this picture we took just outside the city.   Be honest, if I hadn't told you where I that was...would you have guessed?  Doubtful.

 

Here are pictures from outside our house and from the top of a mountain looking down on Addis. 

Average temperature most of the year is in the mid-70's.  In rainy season (when we were there....Aug, Sept some of Oct) it's in the low to mid 60's and damp.  Since it doesn't get super cold few people have heaters.....so damp is everywhere.  Not exactly what you think of when you think Africa huh?

While we're at it, let's talk elevation.  Addis Ababa is HIGH.  You know when it's football season and everyone talks about playing in Denver and how the teams need oxygen and so forth.  Addis looks down on Denver.  Elevation in Denver is 5,690 ft.  Addis elevation is 7,726 feet.  I would get winded jogging up stairs.

 OK animals.  Yes there are giraffe's and elephants and hippos and so forth....but not in the quantities that you think.  When most people think of African animals, you're really thinking of Kenya.  Kenya is known for it's Safari tours.  So yes they're here, but much like the jungle that's not really here....neither are the animals like you think of in Tarzan movies.

But speaking of animals.....there are goats, and sheep, and cows all over the place....including walking across the city.  Actually the night we left there was a traffic jam because a cow was killed crossing a road by being hit with a car.  Boys about Corban's age take care of these flocks that roam around.  We actually called this trip.....the whip trip.  It seemed like all these boys discovered whips.  They cracked them for fun from dawn till dusk.