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

The Wife of Noble Character

My deepest prayer this season....
Proverbs 31:10-31 "The Wife of Noble Character"

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers
She opens her arms to the poor.
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at

the city gate.

Our Journey to Ethiopia - Part 4

Day 3 in Addis Ababa

It's our last day in Ethiopia - crazy if you consider we only spent 1 full day there! It felt like we were here much longer.

We tried again to get our bag at the airport - no luck. Then, we returned to the guesthouse to pack. We had made plans for Tsion and Wegi's aunt and sister to meet us for shopping. They were gracious in helping us find all of the things we wanted to bring back, and I'm sure at better rates than we would have gotten on our own (although Carlos is quite the negotiator).

They arrive on foot and we follow them out of the gates. To this point, we had not walked anywhere - it had all been by the van provided by our agency.
It just doesn't seem like the "I'm going to take a walk place!"

We walked to the main road and quickly realized we should have arranged for a taxi at the guesthouse. We walked and walked. The sites, smells and sounds were totally different "outside of the car." Carlos asked about a taxi and they explained that we had to be on the other side of the freeway. Now, I must say I've seen many near misses during our time in the city where people walk causually in front of the cars. It seems to work for them, but I am not convinced I have the skill (nor do they:))

So, we finally reach the "taxi" which is not what we were expecting....they told us to hop on the van/bus full of Ethiopians and we realize now we're really "among" them. We both were a little taken back especially as we rode on one after antoher. It seems we're pretty spoiled with the convenience of our own private car. Carlos suggested a smaller (private) taxi, but they felt it was too expensive. In hindsight, I think we were perceived as wealthy, but certainly $.62 for a cab ride was dirt cheap to us!

They took us to a large market which was a really cool experience. They explained that we had to be careful with our bags, and Atkilt held my hand as we shopped. What an amazing memory! We also had a great lunch at a place called Lucy's - very nice. Then they invited us back to their house for coffee ceremony.


It was pretty humbling...they walked us up a stone path to the very "shacks" we'd been seeing...to their village. I'm sure we made quite the scene - definitely the kids were curious about us. I was really surprised once inside. The small room was carpeted with couches and TV. It was nice.

They were very gracious. She served us water while she roasted the coffee right there in the living room

. We enjoyed popcorn and took pictures of their family . It was a very special moment for us.

Outside the door, the kids kept running by and looking in. One girl caught our attention. A very dark skinned girl in a pink dress - she was beautiful and a huge big smile and so much life in her eyes. We learned that her mother died an that she was actually from the Congo. Carlos knew that they speak French there, so he started to speak with her. Her face lit up! He asked if we could take her picture and she agreed . Oh, how I could see the potential in her if given the opportunity. Afterwards, we took a taxi back to the guesthouse to pack and prepare for our 11:30pm flight home.

Standing in the airport, I had a range of emotions. Excitement to see Ean, confusion if there was a problem at court, wishing we didn't have to return but could bring Evy home with us now. So, the journey continues and we'll wait to see what God has for us next.

Our Journey to Ethiopia - Part 3

Day 2 in Addis Ababa

Day 2 started very early - 2:30am Addis time. After tossing and turning, I finally go up to check the time and considered going downstairs to the computer since I could not sleep. When we finally got up, we grabbed a quick breakfast then met the others for our 8am call time to leave for court. Much like everything in Ethiopia - 8am was a "range" so we left around 8:30am. We entered a small room where we were to meet the judge. It was a long wait (or at least it seemed) before we started.

The room was full - I would say at least 30 families from various agencies. One by one, they went exiting in less than a minute with tearful eyes of excitement until it came to our turn...the judge was very unemotional and straight forward. She asked us a series of questions that we basically answered "yes" or "no" then mentioned something about another court date. We sat there confused then she and the lawyer spoke in Amharic - turned to us and said "thank you." Are you kidding? In my heart, I really wanted to hear" she is yours" like the rest of the families. I was confused and disappointed. We asked the lawyer afterwards and he assured us everything was fine, but I wasn't convinced. I know that she isn't anymore ours than is our son BE. They are God's children. I had just longed to hear those words. This has been such a long process of waiting yet it appears He plans to keep us there longer. Sadness. Confusion. Disappointment. At that point, I just wanted to go home. I was tired, missing Ean and beginning to emotionally detach from it all.

After court we went to the guesthouse to change close then to have lunch at a small coffee shop. OMG! It was so bad. I think I've learned how to stay away from meat...since there are so many hidden "mysteries" :)

We then went to the care center to say goodbye to our children. It was hard to imagine leaving Evy there
. We played and enjoyed her - then felt rasping when she was breathing. We were all a bit on edge about sickness with the kids. Two in our group were hospitalized after we arrived and one dear family lost their baby the same week.

Needless to say, we were on edge and not feeling extremely confident. We asked if the doctor could check her lungs (since we were concerned the Pneumonia could return). After a while, they came in and said we were taking her to the hospital. I was so scared. I was able to carry her to the car and be with her the entire time. It was crazy thinking about how they drive - jerking her from here to there and no carseat! I held her tight. Another family brought their child as well and one of the nannies joined us.

The hospital was definitely that of a third world country...but the doctor was so nice and you could tell he really loved our daughter. She knew him and was very at peace with him. He reassured us that overall she was doing well but needed antibiotics for a respiratory infection. Good news - just hard to think about leaving her knowing how easily those kids pass sickness around in their full bedrooms and just praying that everyone there will be attentive if she gets worse.

As I was sitting there talking to the doctor, I discovered she had a massive poop. Super nasty and smelly and of course I ended up with a handfull - yuck! The doctor asked if I would change her, but I didn't have diaper or any supplies. He looked at me like I was crazy. We finally got her cleaned up including new clothes. We walked outside and discovered the rest of our group. All of a sudden the head nurse took her from my arms - and she was gone.

I didn't realize that was goodbye! Emotionally exhausted I asked the driver if we could please skip the shopping and return to the guesthouse. As it turned out, it was fine. We shopped a bit then headed back. We found some great stuff!

So, back to the bag. After all the calling to the airport, we decided to go there in person. Our bag was nowhere to be found! Ugh. Later, we joined two other couples for a dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. It was fun and gave me a little sense of being home which was certainly reassuring after the stress of the day.