Gotcha Day Anniversary!
We can’t believe that we went to Africa one year ago this week to get our boys and bring them home. Yesterday was the one year mark of when we picked the boys up from the Transition Home and the boys have been with us ever since. I fixed Levi’s favorite meal last night- pork ribs (pig as he calls it), mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. We followed that up with ice cream sundaes. We all gathered in front of the t.v. and watched our video from our week in Ethiopia. It seems like a long time ago, because there has been so much change in them so quickly. But, it also seems like it was just yesterday, because those memories are still so fresh on our minds. As we watched the video, Levi would hear himself speak in Amharic and then tell us what he and others were saying. I kept thinking how nice it would have been to know that then. He also told us how and what he was feeling at that time of the video. He told us that on “Gotcha Day”, he couldn’t wait to go with us. He thought in his heart that we were very nice when he met us. He said each night he had trouble sleeping because he couldn’t wait to see what we would do the next day. He has forgotten how to speak Amharic, but can undestand it. He told us last night that he really wants to learn how to speak it again. We are very committed to make that happen.
Two weeks ago Asher was in childcare at church. When I picked him up, I noticed that he had made a stick person and it had his skin tone color. I told his teachers how cool it was that they had that color of paper. They both giggled and told me that Asher told them, “I am chocolate and my mom is vanilla.” I just died laughing, because I told him that one day when he told me he was black. We have never referred to them as black. Not sure where he heard that, but I told him he was chocolate brown and that I was vanilla with sprinkles (freckles). He knows how much I love chocolate. The teachers told the children that even though they came out of their mother’s tummy, God created them. He said, “I didn’t come out of my mommy’s tummy, but she picked me.” I was speechless. At three and a half years old he gets it.
Looking back over what all has transpired in the lives of the Reddings over the past year, I am amazed at how much I have personally changed. The way I look at the world, perspective on our financial situation, what i used to take for granted, how much easier it is now to be content. I am truly grateful for these changes. I am a better and richer person because God allowed us the awesome privilege of being parents to two incredible boys. Levi said it best when he said, ” I want to go back to Ethiopia and have you adopt me all over again.” I asked if he has really enjoyed it that much and he said, yes!! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Nancy
