Home-- Day 2... Breakthrough

JB likes to bounce!

Nana made me an apron

Nana made RiSa a matching apron-- too cute!

JB playing in the neighbor's yard

One thing I think I may have not mentioned yet about the kids is that they are TERRIFIED of Penny, our German Shepherd. I can't say I blame them-- for a couple reasons. First, she does look sorta scary-- big, black, hairy and she barks a lot. Second, I don't remember seeing a dog on a leash while we were Ethiopia.... meaning, they weren't "man's best friend". No dog runs, doggy treat stores, people with their dogs in their purses, no one walking their dog... imagine that. The only dogs I saw were straggly, rough-looking mutts who were either scraping around for food or getting run off by the gate keeper of our guest house. I was anticipating this reaction to Penny, so it didn't surprise me at all. I have been wondering what will be the turning point to the fear of the dog, and today I saw maybe a turning point-- at least for JB. The boys have been all about showing off their new siblings to the neighborhood kids. So, they had JB over in the neighbor's yard this afternoon while RiSa slept, bound and determined to break the fear. The neighbors have 2 dogs-- one older, more docile large dog and another pure-bred German Shepherd who looks even more scary than Penny-- sorta. At one point, when I was looking out the window to see how they were doing, I saw them all crowded around JB and one of the dogs. I immediately knew what was going on. JB was clinging to Wyatt and trying to warm up to the animal, all at the same time. Very cute. I am so thankful for sweet neighbors and their children who are so accepting and excited for us and our new additions. Whatever the boys did with JB and the dogs seemed to work-- somewhat. This evening after dinner, JB was trying to show RiSa how to pet Penny; speaking who knows what to her in Amharic-- grinning, talking in soothing tones and SLOWLY walking up to Penny and doing his best to bravely pet her. I wish I had a video recording of it. He never really convinced RiSa... but I was sooooo proud of him for getting so close and petting Penny-- and he wasn't even clutching on to one of us while doing it!!

That is our "Breakthrough" for the day-- hence the title of this post. But, really I would say we had little breakthroughs all day long. In my quiet time this morning I read from Colossians and was reduced to tears over Paul's sweet words to that church... Colossians 1:9-14. Especially the part about being "qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^e]">[e] the forgiveness of sins." How overwhelming and humbling and life-giving!!! RiSa is calming more and more every day and I am remembering more and more what it is like to have a 2 1/2 year old again. And I am being introduced to... GIRLS!!!!! We had fun, FUN in the kitchen today. I had to grind grain and bake bread and she was all too ready to help out. It is amazing what she understands despite the language barrier. She liked wearing her apron that Nana made her when she saw me put on mine-- MATCHING!!! Too much cuteness!! We had MUCH less fighting for naps today. While we were laying together during nap time she was playing with her Bitty baby and I watched my little girl so sweetly care for her doll-- doing many of the same things and even SPEAKING many of the same things that I have spoken to her over the past several days. Amazing. She sang to her baby the "clean up" song, played "Jump" with the baby (Wyatt started playing this with her), patted her bottom, washed her whole body and sang to her some more. I think I must be the most blessed person on this earth to have been able to witness this beautiful girl mimic the love that she has experienced thus far in her life-- only through the love given by the Father.

Thank you to ALL of you who have posted, prayed for and thought of our family during such a unique time! I'm so sorry I cannot respond to all your comments-- I want to soooo much!! Just know that I am increadibly encouraged by all of you who have gone before me, and am inspired to keep making love a VERB-- knowing that it is IN CHRIST that our family does ALL THINGS!!!

Grace and Peace,
Shari