A choice…part 2

**please check out my previous post "A choice…Part 1" for a little more background

And here is where I would love for you to consider a choice…

I would like you to consider getting involved in the Staying Home Project-

Our first project looks daunting on paper ...
$28,750 to raise by February 16th, 2014!!!!
TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS….

Honestly, the task seems overwhelming but our choice has been made. We are ready to go for it…to share how this place, Abenezer Orphanage is caring for and changing the lives of these children. In each moment that the children stay in care…they are part of this family. And the physical space that they have fits their needs well at this time and it is where they call HOME.

We recognize that this is not their first home and we grieve for the losses that each of these children have experienced. But we are thankful that each of the children at AOA have a place that is safe and that they can call home for this time in each of their lives.

older children and staff (and Riley) of AOA - December 2013

Addis Ababa is on all accounts, thriving and growing and an ever expanding middle class is on the rise. This is great for the economy and the stability of the country but it also produces increased costs…and for the AOA - increased rent. Rent has doubled in the last year as land and property values are increasing.

So the Staying Home project is committed to helping AOA raise the money needed to do just that…stay home. The stability of a place to call home is of value beyond words…

With that I ask you to consider the choice of getting involved. If we had 28 people willing to raise 1000 dollars each - this project would be complete. If we have hundreds of people willing to be involved the numbers are less…

Riley and I have been there along with countless other families…what AOA does is beyond words and we are thankful to get to be a part of what God is doing! So, please consider it…help us help these children "Stay home".

STAYING HOME project - click here to DONATE!!!!  There is sample letters to print and share with your family & friends on this page as well. Thank you in advance for your support!

We want to be a blessing... We want to see these children remain in a place of familiarity and stability. And we want to give a voice to the incredible work that Abenezer Orphanage Association is doing!!!!

Will you join us???

Blessing,

Candra

A choice…Part 1

6 months ago I walked through the gates of a place that held my 3 beautiful Ethiopian born sons. I was not even 2 steps in when our oldest son appeared out of his room with the biggest, most brightest smile I have ever seen. He knew. He knew he had a family that was coming for him. Our next son stepped out a bit more hesitant but still full of eagerness to meet us…And our youngest held tight to his nanny's hand…shy but peeking every so often to see us…All of their friends hanging back a bit but smiles abounded…for at this time, they were a family and they were happy..so, so happy for our three boys.

The gates we walked through…this place our boys called home for over 4 years…is called Abenezer Orphanage Association (AOA). It is a place that is filled with hope, love and support. Oh, I am sure there are many moments of tears, frustration and sadness but the love that these children have for each other is unbelievable. The nannies work tirelessly and they love the children at AOA. When we were there, we saw one of the nannies playing volleyball with our son. Their were endless tears by adults and children when our boys had their goodbye party….AOA is not only a safe place for children to be when life has been difficult and children are no longer able to be cared for by their first families…it is also a place of love & hope and a new kind of family….


So when we walked away from AOA for the last time with our children in our arms, we had a choice to make. The choice was this- would we walk away forever or would this place be a part of our lives forever…not just in thoughts but in action?  The choice was easy but the how seemed a little more vague…

Until I got a call from a friend whose heart was in EXACTLY the same place mine was.

For those of you who shared in our story over the summer, this is the same beautiful woman who ran in support of bringing our boys home…who also has 2 beautiful children that called AOA home for a time. It is also a beautiful story of God's unfailing love and faithfulness as He brought 2 boys together into 2 different families who live just 2 hours apart who called each other best friends and brothers while they were living at Abenezer Orphanage. These beautiful children - we are now blessed to call our sons…..

Out of our conversations and passion to do something came  the Serategna project.  Serategna means "servant" in Amharic and that is what we want to be… Our organization's primary purpose to serve those that have stepped out in faith and who work each day to care for these children. We want to be able to provide financial support  to AOA and in the future possibly some practical support.

It was an easy choice to get involved but there is much to be done. Tomorrow I will post more about how you can get involved - a choice you could make. Thank you for taking the time to hang out here on my blog. Please pray for the Serategna project as we seek to get it off the ground!

head on over to the website if you would like to read more about it -

http://serategna.webs.com

Blessings,
Candra

The first month & moving forward

It has been one month since our family has changed forever... 

It has been time of joy, sheer exhaustion, laughter, tears, thriving, coping, sadness, encouragement, adjustment and learning.

I have never in my life felt so tired ( and I am the one getting sleep:)) but each day is getting a little better. Without saying too much about the hard things that our 7 children are dealing with, I will say that they are all trying the very hardest to figure out what family means- in particular, this family. Several of the things we were expecting have not happened...our three new boys are good eaters and sleepers. For that we are grateful. It makes the days a lot more manageable! 

These days, we are figuring out routines, family rules, what the new year will look like and most important, how to attach and become a family of 9.

If I am honest, the last month has been  very difficult for me...I think I have felt most every emotion under the sun and have felt guilty for half of the them! But the kids have fared much better. Our kids at home, they have been so welcoming and helpful- like these three have always been here...I have been taking lessons from them:) they are all so precious and amidst the difficult times, I try and see through their eyes.. Eyes that have only known one language, one culture...eyes that have seen and experienced many things that I will never have to...eyes and hearts that are open to being part of a family.

Over the month, life has begun to seem mor manageable but the word that has defined it for me is "survival". I told Riley that it seems like a perpetual birthday party! But as the month has come to a close and a new year is starting, the survival mode is waning. Grief, sadness, and difficult behaviours are still very present in all 7 of our children- but there is happiness, joy, laughter and lots of tag being played in our home! Thank goodness for our spacious home in these frigid temperatures....

We have felt EVERY ONE of your prayers and encouragement. God working through all of you is what has carried us through the last month. 

As I was contemplating this next month, the words that came to mind were LEANING IN. It is a new year, the three boys start school this month, all the kids will turn one year older( which I am already grieving as my youngest will be in kindergarten in the fall...eek!), we have lots to learn with our three new sons, more to learn in helping our our son live with diabetes and some exciting new opportunities for both Riley and I. 

So often it is easier to pull back or lean away in order to cope. But God has been impressing on me that I need to lean hard into Him. That He may be the one I cling to each day. I am also remembering that leaning into my husband is so important for the health of our marriage and our family and am so thankful for the investment we have made thus far in our marriage! And I want to lean into this season of life that is before me-one that brings surprises and challenges each day. Becoming a family of 9. I want to bring my best to the table and recognize where I need to grow as a child of God, as a wife, as a mom and as a friend....

Blessings, 

Candra