Tuesday, March 2, 2010

We are HOME.........Safe and Sound!!!!!

We arrived home very late on Friday night after 35 hours of loooooong plane rides, layovers and scrutinizing security checks everywhere. Unfortunately, the plane that was to take us from Amsterdam to Minneapolis broke down after we had already gone through security and were waiting to board in this room so packed with people that even though we (and others ) were camped out all over the floors waiting.....we were like sardines in there. We found out later that out of all those 300+ people, many had been held over in hotels from the previous day because the plane had also broken down that day. There was no place to get water to drink or for feeding Edilu his bottle. They finally allowed me to walk 20 minutes through the airport to spend a fortune on 2 bottles of water that were specially "sealed" from the airport store so that I could take them through security to use for Edilu's bottle and us to drink. Caleb had a fever and was feeling puny and we realized somewhere along the line that we brought waaaaaaaaay too much carry one baggage because we could barely keep from falling over with all of it AND the kids. I knew we would miss our next connecting flight, and we had a hard time figuring out how to communicate with everyone back home since we couldn't use wifi at the airport. Finally, everyone was told to take everything and walk to a different concourse at the opposite end (of course!) of the airport and to get ready to take all of our baggage and wait in that super long line to go through security ONCE AGAIN before we could board this new plane that would NOW be taking us to Minneapolis. Can I just say I have NO love in my heart for airport security people?!!? LOL! I know they are just doing their job....but I've never been "patted down" and questioned and barked orders at so many times in my life!!! I did get pretty good at being able to take my shoes off/on with a baby strapped to the front of me. Looking back, we know they must have been so horrible in Amsterdam because we were taking the same route/airline that the bomber from Nigeria took through Amsterdam back in December. I'm sure they are dotting every "i" and crossing every "t" after that episode! Overall, even though we missed our next connecting flight in Minneapolis, we are still so grateful for safe travels and that really, considering, the kids did extremely well through it all AND we were able to still get a flight back to Peoria later that night. Even though it was late at night, many friends still ventured out to welcome us home and that was really wonderful to see their faces!

We have spent the last few days getting settled in, unpacking, and getting over jet lag! Truly, I feel like we are still processing so much. How do you see what we've seen and just go back to life as usual in America? How do I walk into my home with a full fridge (thanks to the Hoyt's!) and indoor plumbing and several bedrooms and not think differently about it because of the faces and people we've met? How can my thoughts not drift off to the children digging for food at the garbage dump....living right alongside the pigs in the filth? Or to the hungry children who's faces lit up when they were given a granola bar? Or to Hana' birth family living in a small dirt floor room with no water.....the people carrying heavy jugs of water long distances,etc, etc.... My prayer is that we will NOT go back to life as before......that the things we've seen will change us LONG term, not just for a few days. We have much to praise the Lord for each and every day!! If we know where our next meal will come from, we are rich. If we have a few drawers full of clothing, we are rich! When I saw the faith of Hana's birth mom, Meseret, who had NOTHING and yet trusted the Lord, it encouraged my heart. I think often our "stuff" can give us false security, and help us feel independent. I'm so thankful for the Lord who continues to teach and mold me into the person he wants me to be. May I fully realize the Lord as my strength and provider even when I am blessed materially. In my blessings, may I be a channel through which many others are blessed.

The kids are all really doing well and getting used to a new "normal". Our three older ones have so far been very helpful and understanding with Hana and Edilu (still not named!). We have already seen Hana make HUGE progress. In the beginning, she would have a crying fit every hour or so about something. I really think much of it is her way of working out her frustration/confusion at not having any control over anything in her life. She has had so many people come and go, and I think she never knows how long she'll be at the "next" place. I pray she is learning that she will be here to STAY with us for good. Of course ,communication has been a little tricky, but I'm amazed at how FAST she is learning English! She is, at the same time, so absolutely precious!!! We're seeing more and more of her personality as she has warmed up, and she's just so much fun! She makes me laugh every day! We are building a foundation of trust with her and she is having fits MUCH less often as she is beginning to trust us and understand what we are asking her to do. She is quite the little worker........in one of her orphanages all the children had jobs to do. Well, she MUST have mopped the floor and folded clothes, because she's a pro at it and LOVES to do it. She repeats our words all the time, and is so proud of herself and grins when she learns new things.

Edilu is such a joy, too. He's still a little mixed up about days/nights and doesn't want me to put him in the crib too often or he cries. I think he spent a little too much time there, and DOESN'T want to go back to that life!

Both of the kids eat just about ANYTHING, which is wonderful! Edilu thinks Hana is SO funny, and Hana loves to help feed him, etc...

We have much to praise God for! There are challenges, Yes. And there will be many more, I'm sure! It's one day at a time! Yet, while in Ethiopia, God gave me such a peace that these children were handpicked for our family! No matter what lies ahead, it's so good to know that God's hand has guided every detail......he has a wonderful plan for each of our children.

Hopefully, in the next few days I can get some pictures/video posted of our trip. Until then, I wanted to post this little clip of a Sarah Groves video which spoke to my heart.

Thanks to each and every one of you for the ways you've encouraged us along this path! It's hard to name ALL the ways...... We can never repay........the blessings we've received have been invaluable to us!

We love you!
Nancie

19 comments:

  1. Amazing your journey has been Ham family! Thank you for sharing so much of it with us. We are praying for you! We hope to bring you dinner sometime soon when things get back to normal. Welcome home and enjoy your new additions :)
    Jason and Autumn Raw

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  2. Wow. Loved reading your post. I've been thinking of you guys and am so glad to hear things are going well. Can't wait to meet them.

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  3. May God bless you as you process all you have experienced over the past weeks, months. I praise God that you are having this time to get to know your new family. Hang on to what you saw, what you experienced. It's all part of your learning to be thankful, to be humble, to love. What a blessing to pass that along to your children, and their children...

    Someday I'll have a story to share...

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  4. Oh Nancie, it's so good to hear an update from you! I've thought about you guys SO many times over the past 2 weeks! I hate I couldn't make it down for your homecoming... I was so sad to have missed it. :( But I'm glad you're home and the kids are adjusting well!

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  5. We're so glad you are home safely as a family of 7! We praise the Lord with you for bringing your children home. We will continue to pray for you all as you adjust in the days ahead. To God be the glory!

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  6. I understand...when life slows down a bit, I would love to get together

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  7. Praying every day for each of you, knowing that God is doing something beautiful in you.

    Love,
    Joy & Garry & the tribe

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  8. Welcome home Ham Family!!!! I'm glad you made it home safe and sound, although weary I'm sure. As you find the time, I hope you'll keep us updated on how everyone is adjusting.

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  9. Yay! I am so happy to hear you are home! I have thought of you so many times the last week, since you last wrote. I'm so happy and thankful that it all went relatively well, and you're back with your two beautiful babies. How are alivia and Hana getting along? I can't wait to meet them. xoxoxoxoxo Laura :)

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  10. What a wonderful glimpse into our heavenly adoption!! Thank you for sharing and keep us updated with any needs you may have :}

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  11. So thankful that you are home safely and doing well! I have thought of you so much in these past weeks, and prayed for your family. It is wonderful to hear that the kids are adjusting well. Just praising God for the work He will accomplish in and through your family as you serve Him!

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  12. Yay! It's so good to hear about your journey. Can't wait to hear more, and meet some precious new people! ;-)

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  13. I am sure you need to be sitting down when you talk about your experience. Such a beautiful yet desperate place. I hate to think of all the pain and agony you saw. The pain and joy, heaven and hell--all intricately twisted together in such an astounding place. The Ethiopian have shared their spirit and their passion and their faith with you (and with us).
    To ignore it, would be to forget. I hope the images of Ethiopia stay imprinted in your mind (and all of ours) for the rest of our lives. Each hand you touched, person you blessed, baby you held, smile you made and eyes you met, lives in you (and us)… in the form of a fire in you’re (and our) heart. I pray that God will allow us to see and interact with the world in the same spirit as these people.

    Let us Pray:
    Oh Heavenly Father, please don’t let us forget that people bathe in the sewers, scrounge for food and stay up at night to keep rats out of their shanties in the slum. Let us use this experience to do great things. May we say pleasant words to strangers and bow to those in need. Please help us recognize that we are selfish and have over judged our needs. Please help us share our possessions, faith, passion and knowledge. In everything we give thanks. Amen

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  14. so glad to hear that things are going relatively smoothly! we have kept you in our thoughts & prayers. as crazy as it sounds we love sweet hana & darling edilu even though we haven't met them yet. love ALL of you and will continue to pray for each member of your family!

    love, wendy

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  15. It was so good to read your update. I'm glad that you made it back safely! I enjoyed talking to Eric yesterday at school. I appreciated his taking the time to share some of your experiences. Thanks so much for the challenging and convicting reminder of our life here in comparison to life in Ethiopia. We have so much, yet we still complain. I'm looking forward to meeting Hana and Edilu. Alivia was cute when she asked Eric yesterday if she could bring the kids for show and tell! God bless you all and we'll keep praying for all of you.

    Love,
    Darwin & Robin Stahl and family

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  16. I am so excited that you are home and doing well. Praying for your family in the days ahead.

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  17. So glad you're home and enjoying all your children. What an experience! Bekah

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  18. Good to hear how things are going. We continueto pray for your family as everyone finds that new normal.

    The Lord has blessed all of you richly!

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  19. Thanks for the update! I'm glad that you are transitioning so well. Is it too soon for a salad with the girls???? I miss you!

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