the past two weeks have been, incontestably, the most exhausting weeks of my life. i imagine the same could be said for this small fellow:

internet, please meet my youngest son. he has weathered a good deal of heartbreak, and still he's warm and giggly and quick to find joy. [i’ll likely share very small pieces of his background, but his story belongs to him, and we will allow him to be the one to share it with whomever and in whatever detail he chooses as he grows older.]
i can tell you this, though: he loves soccer and injera and knobs and buttons and books and all things electronic. at the guest house, he’d turn on old school looney tunes and then curl up in his chair, paging through the kitchen’s menu-book. he’d spend half the afternoon on the playroom balcony conversing with the guest house guard (whom he named 'police') in animated amharic.

we have a decent number of issues to tackle, but little m is sweet and brave and has a mighty big God on his side. he’s loving his older siblings, mimicking their speech and play with aplomb. given enough time and prayer and grace, i have tall hopes we’ll not only heal, but thrive.
this week's thankfuls, #s 140-148:
the soft rhythms of home
the care center staff, who loved little m well and with gusto
frisbee in the green front yard shade
new friends who looked out for little m and me
old friends who took such beautiful care of my family in my stead
rest, after 37 hours of travel and two nights' missed sleep
all of you--your prayers, your missives of encouragement
freedom to love God out loud
all five of my littles, together
50 comments:
Welcome home, M! So good to hear you both arrived safely.
Michelle
How beautiful. Very touching.
praise.god.:)
Oh well- hello little M! Not so little anymore maybe, after all you went through. I wish you all the joy in the world with your new family- loads of happiness and trust and love!
Wow! Congratulations all of you. He is beautiful.
Welcome home!
Tonight the fireworks will mean so much more to me as I celebrate with you from states away! I'm so happy to see you've made it home safely with such a handsome young addition to your beautiful family!
Oh Nicole, he is absolutely precious!! Thank you Jesus!
YEAH!
praises! praises! your boy is beautiful. He did it, nic. little m is with you in time for his birthday! so touched by this gesture. may god's grace and peace and love be with you all during these early times of bonding. so, so thankful for you all!
congratulations, love. he is absolutely beautiful...as are you and your heart.
three cheers for the crisp pages of new chapters! i'm so excited to see what wonderful things happen to your family of 7!
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes reading this! How wonderful to all be HOME!! Praying for you as you adjust to life with another "10 piggies"
Overjoyed for you! So glad that M is home and you know have all 5 of your littles under one roof!
Praise God! Tears of gratitude for all of you. You're absolutely right, he does have a big God on his side and that God will see him through all of the preliminary struggles (and you). He's been rescued and so have you and God's in the middle of it. I'm so thankful to have found your blog and read along the journey. Can't wait to "see" how God settles him into your little circle of love.
Welcome home! He's so handsome. Glad he's finally home with you.
Welcome home! What a handsome little man! Can't wait to learn more about him and your trip through your blog. I've been dying to see more pictures!
well it's so nice to meet you m! he has a wonderful home to come home to. what a blessed little boy. thanks for sharing him:)
Glad you are all together, home safe and sound. Let the LIVING begin!!!
REJOICING with you!! Praying for GREAT JOY and PATIENCE to flood your home over the next few months. The transform that little M will make before your eyes will shock you (as you very well know). He is BEAUTIFUL and is already so very loved!
I'm so happy to finally meet Mr M - he's so handsome - and God is on his side
What a wonderful story and such a beautiful boy, I am so happy for you and especially for him, as he couldn't find a better place and people to call home:)
xoxo
soli deo gloria, indeed!!!
rejoicing with your family-hooray for seventy piggies! xo praying for each of you!
SEVENTY.
Now, that's the best news I've heard all day.
I've been waiting on this post. (Understatement.)
Please, please, please (times a tril.) call me on the regular phone-talker if you need me. Even in the wees. In fact, I'd love nothing more.
So promise, K?
PS - I feel like it goes without saying that he's the handsomest guy ever in the history, but I still wanna say it. He is.
praise the lord for all 5 little together under one roof.
oh.my.
how can your heart stand it.
oh nic.... he is stunning. welcome home little buddy! praying for you... (i love, love, love that he spent so long on the balcony chatting with the guard. God is in him...)
I've been following your story for a long time, Nicole, and I am filled with joy for your family.
much love and Godliness.
Hooray! He has such goodness in his eyes, and is one lucky fella to be part of your awesome clan.
Congrats, everyone!
I read this entry with tears in my eyes and the biggest lump in my throat. Words can't express the joy I feel for your family. How blessed M is to have you and how blessed you are have him. we serve a mighty God.
Continuing prayers for you all. Hope you can feel this hug all the way from South Georgia!!
(((((HUG)))))
beautiful.
Welcome home!!! My heart is overjoyed to see him home safe in your family. God is so GOOD!
Adjustments--yes. I remember bringing my little guy home from the Philippines and strapping him into a snow suit and then a car seat for the first time in his life. A might big God on his side, yes. Thanks for reminding me when I see any of my dear ones struggling with the challenges of this world. Congratulations and blessings to you all!
Big love spiraling from my heart to your home...
We are so happy you and your family are finally together. We love you all and look forward to meeting your son!
Oh Nic! He's so beautiful. I look forward to many many more posts and photos of him and about him. He's just amazing! I'm so happy for you hon! Big hug massive hugs!!
I have been following your blog for a couple of years now, loving your photography and your way with words. I think it is time to finally say something! I am thrilled for you and your family and this precious little boy that God brought into your life! I have been praying and will continue to pray for all of you as you adjust to each other. God is good!!
crying. SEVENTY. yes! so thankful to read here ... to get to see this.
My heart is bursting glad that you are all together at last. ((hugs))
I'm crying.
YAY!
Thankful for him, and you, and the BIG BIG God who is on your side.
well now i really am a big ol' puddle of tears. it's been ready all morning. i love you and i love him. could you please move 3 hours north?
can you even believe he is home?!?! your boy is home. okay....quiet time. i'm going to pray fervently for you. i remember how JOYFUL and how HARD these first weeks are. love you.
What beautiful photography! Love your heart of thankfulness too :)
I've been following your story for a long time, Nicole, and I am filled with joy for your family.
much love and Godliness.
praise the lord for all 5 little together under one roof.
Welcome home! What a handsome little man! Can't wait to learn more about him and your trip through your blog. I've been dying to see more pictures!
Praise God! Tears of gratitude for all of you. You're absolutely right, he does have a big God on his side and that God will see him through all of the preliminary struggles (and you). He's been rescued and so have you and God's in the middle of it. I'm so thankful to have found your blog and read along the journey. Can't wait to "see" how God settles him into your little circle of love.
Welcome home! He's so handsome. Glad he's finally home with you.
Oh Nicole, he is absolutely precious!! Thank you Jesus!
Wow! Congratulations all of you. He is beautiful.
Welcome home, M! So good to hear you both arrived safely.
Michelle
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