One of Those Days

Have you ever had a day where you just can't seem to find your tail?

Today, I feel like Eeyore.

I had this friend who I used to work whose name was Jeff. Jeff had a unique sense of humor and honestly one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. He would start wallowing during a conversation and afterwards I'd quietly walk back to his office and leave my stuffed Eeyore on his desk. He'd look up and give me the biggest smile! How much I wish he were still here to give me one of those big warm encouraging smiles....

Today, I just have Eeyore.

A friendly reminder that life isn't so bad. That we all need a few moments to throw a pitty party for ourselves before we...Get Up....Dust Ourselves Off...and realize that tomorrow will be a T-I-GG-E-RIFIC day!

On a more serious note, please pray for our Embassy submission. We desperately want our baby girl home before her 1st birthday next month!

5 Simple: Valentine's Day Tips

I really love my work at Porch Step. I feel like I'm making a difference in people's lives, and I get to know some amazing stories along the way. This week, I get to try my hand at writing for our newsletter. We needed some "simple tips", so I thought why not something fun for Valentine's Day. I'd love to hear what you think!

1. Plan Ahead. I’ll never forget our first Valentine’s Day. My (now husband) proudly picked me up for a fun dinner out. As we were driving, he asked “where do you want to go?” What? Doesn’t he know that reservations should have been made weeks ago? After stopping by four restaurants, he finally gave up. We had a wonderful take-out pizza!

2. Keep it Simple. Too much of a good thing is not so good. As much as a woman loves nice cologne, bathing in it won’t get you thumbs up. Chances are, she’ll have watery eyes all evening long – and it won’t be for the right reasons!

3. Sweat the Small Stuff.
Details are king when it comes to Valentine’s Day. A hand-written card will go a long way.

4. Flower Her with Love. It doesn’t take a dozen roses to win your partner’s heart. One simple flower can still do the trick and it won’t break the bank. Try a single rose bud with a handwritten love note attached.

5. Play Hard Ball. Ladies, sometimes the biggest gift we can give our husbands is a little quiet. Next time the big game is on TV, take the kids for a walk and give them a little uninterrupted bonding with their favorite team.

How are you going to make Valentine’s Day special this year? What simple ways can you show random acts of kindness every day?

The Crazy Train!

Our son loves trains. Trains sitting on a track going nowhere. Loud trains that blow their horns as they roll by. Imaginary trains when he plays, and even books about trains. Curious George is his favorite story about trains. Whenever we read the Curious George Train Story, Ean will (without prompting) know the exact moment that the conductor in the story yells "All Aboard!" and will proudly join in!

I envy Ean's disregard for what's on the train, where it's going and when it's leaving. He just wants to hop on and take a ride because he knows it will be fun. He doesn't worry about safety, or where he needs to be next - he lives in the moment.

I had to admit, this has been a really hard week. After much waiting, we thought we'd at least have a sense of when we'll be going back to Ethiopia by the end of this week. As it turns out, that was not in God's plan. Not only did the Embassy change procedures, now the MOWA office (Ministry of Women's Affairs) has closed temporarily means none of the paperwork now required by the Embassy can be completed. Lord, what are you up to?

This week, the only way I could describe how I feel is that I'm on the CRAZY TRAIN and no one will let me off. Honestly, I wanted to "turn back." Say, "Oh never mind, I think I'll just pass and get on with my life." But, I know that even in the uncertainty and madness that there is purpose.

As I think about Ean's love for trains, I realize that there must be trust in the conductor. Trust that he knows where he's going, what the schedule is and the best way to get there. Lord, I'm just a passenger here. As much as I want to jump up front and take control, I'm along for the ride. Let's roll!

Knitted Together

I'm always amazed at how much detail God is aware of in our life. How intimately He knits together our stories.

As we served in our children's ministry this Sunday, we started the morning with prayer for the kiddos. Everyone knows about our journey to get our daughter in Ethiopia and the contstant state of waiting we seem to be in. I was so touched by the prayer of one of the leaders. As she prayed for new seasons for new babies, for new church plants, for new lives united, I was moved to tears. Our Lord does know EVERY part of our lives and how it is to unfold.

I am so blessed by the amazing families we traveled with back in December to Ethiopia. We didn't know each other and frankly didn't leave knowing much more, but as the weeks have passed and we supported and prayed for one another, I am increasingly in awe of our Lord. He knew we'd need the love, prayers, and support of one another. Afterall, no one else can REALLY understand how the "mommy's-in-waiting" feel:)



So, as much as I want to know the next steps. I know that He has the BEST planned for us. I'm increasingly excited about this new season. The new harvest he's put in my sight, and the new heart He is forming in me and in our family. Who knew? It was about much more than adoption.

To Every Thing There is a Season

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's so easy to forget that God already knows the plan. Oh, how I often wonder if He's busy with something else and has forgotten what's happening in our lives. Even though I have experienced His rescue just in the nick of time, I still have my doubts.

It's been a long journey waiting to bring our daughter home. The roller coaster continues, in fact, as we wait to hear when we can return to bring her home. But, when I think of how intimately involved He is in this journey, I realize that it's not about me! It's about His story.

I mean, really, He brought a young couple into our home through a "random" invitation and out of that He strengthened a vision in our hearts for a country and its people and developed a sweet bond between our two families. It's not just any family, but a family from the very country our daughter is from. Not so random, huh?

I have grown to love Wegi and Tsion so much, and now we have the honor of watching them raise their new baby Ebenezer!

We have learned so much from them already, and I know what a sweet blessing it will be for our daughter to have them in her life as she grows up....not to mention it's been great exposure for our son as well.

As we've shared life, meals, and prayers with them, I am in awe of just how big our God is. So, when I have my frantic moments of trying to figure it all out and frantically checking my emails for more news, I have to remind myself that He is a big God and He knows the timing for everything in our lives....even when I may feel that He has forgotten us.

So, Lord, we trust your timing. Take us back to Ethiopia in your appointed time.

Ready to Travel!

Yeah, we received our travel documents yesterday so thankfully all went well through the court process! One step closer to bringing our baby girl home. Now, we wait for our Embassy date.

We also crossed another milestone this week getting Ean ready to travel with us to Ethiopia. He got three shots this week and was such a big boy! No tears. When I arrived home after work that day he said, "mommy, no more dots!" I realized he was referring to the shots as he showed me his small round bandaids on his legs. Too cute!

Big week for the Borja's...now to book tickets, hotel, and find our silly bag that has been missing since Trip 1. I can't believe in this day and age that they can't track bags! Needless to say, we won't be flying Ethiopia Air. Sweet people but not very efficient. So, off to buy new bags so I can start packing! It's a lot to store in my head packing for two kiddos. Wow, that sounds weird. We're soon to be a family of 4! God is good.

Fear Not

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry "Abba Father."

Romans 8:15