MISSION TRIP: ETHIOPIA

Glory's birthday celebration!

Glory got to celebrate her 15th birthday with her very first birthday party. She felt totally spoiled and loved the amount of work that went into both the party (hosted by my dad and Kris) as well as the thoughtful gifts. She is blossoming before my very eyes!

Happy Birthday, Glory!!!

We are so pleased to be able to celebrate Glory Sihin's 15th birthday today. Her fellow students at school even sang to her at lunch. My mom brought over 15 pink roses and we'll celebrate with a small family party this weekend. I missed the first 14 years, but can't wait for the future!

1st Trip to Seattle

Glory enjoyed her first trip to Seattle. We got a chance to introduce her to her Great Grandma Elaine, visit the Aquarium, explore the Pacific Science Center and get a view of the city from the Spaceneedle. It was a great trip and she LOVED Seattle!

Glory's First Christmas

We celebrated Jesus' birthday with a candlelight church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning we opened up presents and then Nana and Boppa came over for dinner Christmas evening. It was a great way to spend the holiday!

Bowling

We had a great time bowling this afternoon at Lilac Lanes. Sihin caught on fast and bowled a great first game!

Jolly ol' St. Nick

Oh Christmas Tree

We picked up our Christmas tree and decorated it. Glory loves the Christmas lights and she helped Jenna and I put on the ornaments. What a great first Christmas together!

Glory's 1st Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Sihin got to celebrate her first Thanksgiving with some of her extended family. She tried her first taste of turkey, stuffing, and pie. She helped make the mashed potatoes.

I am thankful for God's call to adopt. I love my daughter and cherish each and every day that I get to spend with her. She is a tremendous person!

First Snow!

Glory got to experience her first snow! She was VERY cold but enjoyed a walk with her new friend, Hannah and Jenna. They went to the park in our neighborhood. She is looking forward to times when the snow sticks for longer than a day... wait another week or two and she'll be up to her knees in it!

Glory's dream...

Glory: "Mom, I just had the best dream last night. Oh my gosh, it made me so happy!"
Mom: "What was your dream about?"
Glory: "I had a dream that Jesus was King and that we all got taken up to heaven to meet Him."
Mom: "Wow, what was it like in heaven?"
Glory: "Oh, Mom...it was so beautiful. He was there, I could see His face. There were angels on both sides of him. I was just so happy. I can remember that I have never been that happy in my life."
Mom: "That sounds great, maybe He will come tomorrow?"
Glory: "Yes, that would make me so happy!"

...a few moments later...
Mom: "Did He speak in Amharic?"
Glory: "He didn't have to say anything."

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

This is a beautiful child, inside and out.

Update

Life is good!

The past month and a half has been full of many blessings. I think that the biggest thing that I noticed, upon my return from Ethiopia, is that Sihin's transition into our family was seamless. It literally felt like she had always been there. There was no culture shock, no overwhelming grief, no uncomfortableness...she melded into our already blended family in a way that only God could orchestrate.

Sihin is an absolute treasure and she is a blessing to the many people who have had the privilege of meeting her. She's smart, beautiful, kind, helpful, insightful, God-honoring, funny, hard-working, and brave. I thought this adoption was supposed to be about helping an orphan, but only God would know that it was just as much designed to help me. I am closer now to my Father because of this girl and because of this experience.