February 16th, 2012….it has been one year.

One year since we got the call asking if we would become parents to three (possibly four) more beautiful children.

One year of knowing their names.

One year since we saw their faces for the first time.

These photos were taken on the day our children entered the orphanage.

 

 

 

Looking at these pictures makes me weep.

Look at their eyes.

Look closely.

Those eyes are full of sorrow. They know pain. They know trials. They know hopeless.

What thoughts were filling their minds? What emotions were flooding their hearts? Where was God on that day?

And these….the referral photos. These are attached to our children’s orphanage files. These are the photos that are sent to prospective families.

 

 

 

Of course, Leah’s journey was different than her siblings. She had no orphanage file. And so we took our own photo of her. This picture was taken the first time we met our oldest daughter.

Those eyes contain fear. Uncertainty about the future. Questions they have no answers for. Where was God when they needed answers?

And these photos. Taken after our adoption was finalized and while we were in Ethiopia.

 

Look at Micah’s legs and arms – so thin!

Look at my girls – stiff bodies, anger, barriers, eyes turned away. Where was God as they fought against this new beginning?

I will tell you where God was; where God is.

He is right there beside them. Around them. Loving them.

His LOVE never fails.

His love NEVER fails.

When we look at our circumstances and can’t understand, when we struggle through the pain and emotions of this sinful world, when we hold our crying children, when we listen to the angry words pour out of their mouths….God is there.

His love never FAILS.

I heard a song on the radio while I was driving home. It brought tears to my eyes. This….this is a love song. From the God of the universe. To my children.

My Love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between

These times that you’re healing and when your heart breaks

The times that you feel like you’ve fallen from grace

The times that you’re hurting, the times that you heal

The times you go hungry and are tempted to steal

In times of confusion, in chaos and pain

I’m there in the sorrow, under the weight of your shame

I’m there in the heartache, I’m there in the storm

My love, I will keep you by My power alone

I don’t care where you’ve fallen or where you have been

I’ll never forsake you, My love never ends.

~Times by Tenth Avenue North

Now look at these pictures…..

 

 

 

Those are not the same eyes.

God’s love is doing a healing work. God’s love is giving joy. God’s love is filling with hope.

No, that work is not complete. It is a process. A sometimes very slow and painful process. But, I am confident of this very thing….

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6

Today I am thankful for love. For the love of my family. For the love of my God that is so much bigger than I can ever comprehend.

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love. ~Zephaniah 3:17

Blessings!

Natalie