Life.............

I am not a blogger as you can tell.  It is time to close this blog for awhile but before I do I wanted to give a quick overview on life at the Mokma's and how Hannah is doing.

Hannah has been home for almost 4 months. It is hard to believe, in some ways it seems like forever.  She is doing so well.  She is crawling all over the place, putting EVERYTHING in her mouth, pulling herself to standing, soon enough she will be chasing the rest of the kids.  Sleep is a bit of a issue but we are making progress.  She is full of smiles and giggles and her eyes will charm all who meet her.  I feel she is confident that I am mom and Kevin is dad. She goes to others but is some what guarded and wants to be sure that I am close by.  The older kids love her, now that the weather is a little nicer they take her outside and push her in the stroller, Megan is my helper, Braden is the protector, and Keagan and Addison just like to be silly with her.

All though for the most part life is good and full of joy, the reality of bringing another person into the home is not always roses.  All the kids have struggled in some way along the way and Kevin and I have been stretched very thin as we balance daily life and be the parents God desires us to be.  You press on day by day with our eyes "looking Up" God is our strength, our calm, our patience, our rest. We are reminded of His faithfulness everyday, even on the hard days.

A week ago I was struggling, winter was getting to me, the kids NEEDED to get outside and I was in one of "those" moods.  We had been getting things ready for taxes and going through all our adoption paperwork.  I was reminded again our great our God is.  We had added up the cost and I stood completly amazed at God's provision.  He did this, He brought Hannah into our family, He provided  for our family, He provides daily.  I needed to be reminded of that to help me get back to where God wants me to be, I am nothing and He is everything.  I can do nothing in my own strength. I need to surrender! 

Thank you for following our journey.  This is not the end, God is not finished with our family but my 5 precious kiddos and one amazing husband is my priority. 

Blessings,
Sarah

 

Hannah's Adoption Video

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Gotcha Day!

Yesterday was the day we have been waiting for.  Hannah Grace Mokma was welcomed into our arms. It was a great day filled with much anticipation. She was very hesitate when the nannies handed her over to us.  She is at the age where stranger anxiety starts. She fussed and cried but after a little bit she calmed down.  We spent about an hour at Jane's House and then said our "goodbye's" to the nannies. They love those children like their own so it is very hard to say goodbye.  I am so thankful she was loved and cared for so much.  She did Ok in the car, she was wide eyed as she looked all around.  Arriving at Sadula Lodge was went everything went down hill. We got out of the car and the tears came.  She cried all the way up to our room and a good hour after that. It wasn't until I got the blanket we had brought her on our first trip did she calm down and eventually fell asleep in my arms.
I am so thankful for all of you that are praying for us. It is only by those prayers that we had such a  good day today.  She is smiling all the time, talking, laughing and responding to her name Hannah. She has been such a happy content baby. As I type, she is in her crib sleeping. Tonight we pray for restful sleep. She seems to be afraid at night so we pray for peace.

I can not wait to be home with the WHOLE BIG family, so she can meet her sisters, brothers, and extended family and friends. We fly home Thursday evening, so one more full day and then we get to leave with our beautiful little girl.

I just have to say "Thank You" for all of you who came to the Pancake Breakfast. Also to our family that organized it. We are humbled by your generosity.  Words do no express our gratitude for the love, encouragement, prayers, and financial support that was given on our behalf. We serve a great big God that does great big things. Because of you we were able to cover the travel expenses of this trip and a little extra. I don't say much about fiances but I will say this, if God has laid adoption on your heart, PLEASE don't let the money scare you away. It is only by God's provision and His faithfulness that this happened. He is Good!

I give Glory to God for the great things he has done, please ask me some time I would love to share my heart and the story God has written.

Goodnight from Ethiopia!
Sarah

 

Whom Shall I Fear

Many of you may know that I can be somewhat of an anxious person, especially when I have to leave or do something out of my comfort zone.  Going to Ethiopia and leaving my home and 4 children was WAY out of my comfort zone.  In the weeks leading up to our trip I prayed a lot and many people prayed for me that I would have peace and find JOY in what and where we were going.  God heard those prayers and my anxiety was replaced with joy and peace. I LOVED my time in Ethiopia and it was only by God's work that I can say that.

One song that was my theme song in that time and still one of my favorites is "Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin. Let me share the words:

You hear when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my Sword and Shield

Though trouble lingers still

Whom shall I fear

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

The God of angel armies

I always by my side

 

My strength is in Your name

For you alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

 

Whom shall I fear

 

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I'm holding onto your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

 

The God of angel armies is always by my side

 

Ethiopia Part 2

We have been home for a week now.  I am sorry for the lack of posting.  Life happens and time slips away from me.  

The rest of our trip went very well.  On Monday October 29 we had our court appearance.  That all went very smoothly. We were the 2nd name to be called, they ask you about 6 questions and we were out the door.  Hannah Grace became our "legal" daughter that day.  After court we were able to spend some more time with her at Jane's House. That was a great visit. She was very happy and we got some good pictures of her with big smiles.

On Tuesday we left for our overnight trip to the north.  We drove about 3 hours out of the city to Blue Nile Gorge.  It was a beautiful drive and it was nice to see some of the countryside.  There is a lot of beauty and Ethiopia and we really want Hannah to be able to see that too.

On Wednesday we had to say goodbye for now to sweet Hannah.  It was a difficult time for us.  We spent our time cuddling and praying over her.  As much as we were ready to see our other kids we really struggled leaving her there. I rest in knowing she is well cared for and loved by all those sweet and tender-hearted nannies.

 

 Our last day we had with Hannah

Our first photo together

We look forward to the time when our family is ALL together. We pray soon that we will have her home.

Ethiopia!

The last few days have been amazing.  On Thursday October 26 we meant "Hemen" Hannah Grace for the very first time.  It is hard to put into words what we were feeling.  For so long we dreamed, wondered what that day would look like.  She was laying in her crib smiling up at us.  We picked her up, no tears from her but a look like who in the world are you people. We then got to spend 2 hours with her.  She smiled, talked and cuddled up close with me. She did not seem afraid at all. 

After a bit the older children woke up and we played with them, gave them suckers and balls. They loved it all. They don't have many toys at all, maybe a few balls, bubbles, coloring books. Nothing like our children have. We are blessed!

It is all very overwhelming when you see the poverty.  Boys and girls begging that aren't any older than Megan and Braden, mom's with their children living on the street with absolutely nothing. Sadness all around.

Yesterday we went back to see Hannah again.  It was harder to say goodbye this time.  God has created that bond already. She is ours and I want to protect her and care for her, I want to be the one to tuck her in at night and change her and love her. Also, the reality of this is the life these children have.  There nannies love them and take care of them but it does not compare to the love of a family. I pray soon that all those little ones will be home with their forever families.

Today we went out of the city where Hannah is from. Please take time to thank God for your home, cloths, food in your cupboard, closets full of cloths, wash machines, shoes for your feet, running water, your cars, school for your kids, everything we take for granted. God has richly blessed us. You should have seen the smiles in the street boy's faces when we handed them a sucker!!

We can become so caught up in what we don't have.  I challenge you to focus on what you do have. We have SO MUCH!!! Love your children, your spouses, your friends, and most of all our Heavenly Father.  That is what matters!

We have felt God going before us. He is GOOD! Please pray that tomorrow's court appearance goes well! After that hopefully I can introduce to you Hannah Grace Mokma!!!!

Leaving on a jet plane......

Kevin and I are currently sitting in the Chicago airport waiting to board our plane to go to Ethiopia.  The long awaited day has arrived. We are leaving to meet our little girl that God has perfectly chosen for our family. As I write this I reflect on God's faithfulness.  He has ordained this all and has all the details already worked out.  We have seen and experienced the love and support from so many people over the last several days. He has answered so many prayers from the big to the small.  Let me share a few, our parents have graciously moved into our home to care for the other kids.  Let me tell you this is HUGE for me and the kiddo's, friends have brought meals so they don't have to worry about cooking, we have received two checks that blew us away, it was exactly what we were short for this trip. Hannah's birth mom appeared it court and her testimony was approved. Most importantly, people have been praying us through. I have truly felt the power if prayer.  God has filled me with such joy and peace.  I have felt God holding me through all this.  He is going before me and behind me. What then shall I fear. But that only comes from getting on your knees and others praying.  I aske you please keep those prayers coming, for safety, health, joy, for our kids at home and our parents, and a wonderful time meeting out little girl. God is so good, he's so good to me!