Jaynie's Home!

Mrs. Beaver:

We're thankful to God--our precious Jaynie is home! She's been the homeschool helper for a couple of American families in a central Asian country since August.

Many of our friends joined us at the airport to celebrate Jaynie's return.

The plane had landed and passengers were disembarking. We were watching for the ONE special face!

Our first glimpse of Jaynie!

A very relieved, happy dad--deeply grateful to God for keeping his girlie safe

Jaynie's first sibling hug came from Cassandra

Jaynie's other siblings quickly took their turns.

 Next, Jaynie greeted friends who'd come to welcome her back

In the midst of happy celebration, Jaynie never strayed far from her daddy

Before long we headed around the corner in our small airport to gather Jaynie's luggage. She was still greeting friends...

(A special thanks to our dear friends the Nisius family for coming all the way from Minneapolis just to share this special day with our family. Here Jaynie is embracing Amanda, whose been like an aunt to Jaynie and her biological siblings since we adopted the three of them in 2001.)

Cassandra stayed close by as Jaynie made her way through the crowds.

I got the very first hug as Jaynie emerged from security, although our reunion wasn't caught on camera. By the time we entered the baggage area, I was eager for another long embrace. I've already received the very best Christmas gift--having my daughter home.

Our family has so much catching up to do. Jaynie's been able to call nearly every day since she left, but the phone calls are usually only a few minutes long. Skype and email have been tremendous blessings, but now we get to hear the details of her amazing adventure.

What a joy to be TOGETHER! And what a great way to start the weekend in which we'll celebrate the birth of Jesus. God become man. King become servant. Baby become suffering Savior.

We wish you the merriest of Christmases!

Photos courtesy of Amanda N. and Kaylee H.

One Less

Mrs. Beaver:

There's one less orphan in Ethiopia. Our family experienced such joy seeing Meddie Grace arrive at the airport last night that I couldn't resist sharing a few more photos from the event for which we've waited so long.

A very happy older brother!

The Henn boys, "Dash" and "Bear," have eagerly been awaiting their new friend born in the same country.

Dash and Bear's 6-year-old sister, "Erna," in her Ethiopian dress

Here is the youngest in the Henn family, "Giggles." She knows all about Ethiopia, with two older brothers who were adopted from that country and a daddy who went on a missions trip to Ethiopia in December.

Our church is very kid friendly. This beautiful four-year-old will fit right in!

Bless her heart, the longer Meddie Grace was at the airport surrounded by an enormous crowd, the more relaxed she grew and was even smiling toward the end.

Lord of Life,

We thank you for the precious life you have placed in the midst of our church all the way from the continent of Africa. Thank you for protecting her and her new parents during their travels. Thank you for giving her parents a heart for fatherless children.

Please grant her new church family wisdom to know how to come alongside her family as they all adjust to the big change. Please help us to be selfless as we reach out to meet their needs following the selfless act of adding an older, orphaned child to their family.

Please help all of us to mirror Christ's gentleness and humility as we love on her. Please help all of us to live before Meddie Grace in such a way that she will be attracted to Christ. Please rescue, redeem and save Meddie that she might glorify You.

Family Redefined

Several times since we began blogging, we've mentioned the progress of the adoption of our dear friends the Nordstroms.

Tonight we had the joy of being at the airport as they arrived home with their little "Peaches."

Peaches' new brothers, Eddie Joe and Big Fella waiting for their little sister.

 

Big sister, Sunshine (right), with friend, Naomi

4-year-old Katie ready to welcome Peaches home with a poster she had worked on for days

The 50-60 of us who had gathered, most from our church family, cheered when the plane arrived.

We all eagerly awaited the first sighting of the Nordstroms, but Kaylee knew better than most what this felt like as a sibling. Almost four years ago, her parents adopted her brothers, Dash and Bear, from Ethiopia. Tonight Kaylee and all her siblings were wearing clothing from Ethiopia.

 

Through the large glass windows we all got our first sighting of Russ, Heather and Peaches. As soon as the three of them emerged through security, their five children who had stayed at home mobbed them.

  

Together as last! A family 16 months in the making! What a glorious God to work such a wonder!

What a happy family! Praise be to God!

As Peaches began to meet those who'd come to the airport, two of the first friends she was introduced to were Dash and Bear, the brothers mentioned earlier who were adopted from Ethiopia nearly four years ago.

The Gitlins, who'd adopted from Ethiopia about nine months ago, were also on hand to welcome the Nordstroms home and celebrate God's redefining of their family.

Many friends brought banners they made or balloons or stuffed animals. The Etheringtons even brough a large box of cupcakes that Jack (left) and his grandma had made.

What a blessed former orphan Peaches is--parents who love her...

...brothers ready to protect her...

...and a sister who's oh-so happy to finally have a sister. In fact, Peaches' Ethiopian name, Meddie, means "I have a sister." Sunshine is the oldest of four brothers so the colors pink and purple will be a welcome change!

I don't want to finish this post without acknowledging the extra-special care the Nordstroms and our family

have received from the airport employees. These kind women have gone out of their way to make our way easier as we adopt. Our two families have decided to give our airport the unofficial designation: "Adoption-Friendly Airport."

Here I snagged Cindy (left) for a photo with the happy adoptive family. Cindy was there both when Russ and Heather left a week ago and when they returned.

The Nordstroms have named their newest family member Meddie Grace. She is truly a gift of grace from a good God, who will provide the eight Nordstroms all the grace they need as they adjust to the enormous change of adding an older child to their family. We thank the Lord from blessing our dear friends with beautiful Meddie Grace.