2012 at 5:20 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood Adoption
[from our adoption blog]
Day 2 was great. This morning we had the great privilege of meeting our kids’ grandfather. We spent the afternoon shopping and playing soccer with friends. Then we walked a few blocks to an local restaurant we like. We are having a wonderful time with Kassa and Mulunesh, enjoying each others’ company and making some great memories. Tomorrow we get their visas and passports and—around midnight—fly home!
2012 at 5:15 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
4:07 p.m.
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2012 at 9:39 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood Adoption
[from our adoption blog]
Technically, we did visit America today. By stepping inside a far-flung US Embassy, we found ourselves standing on a little patch of American soil. Our embassy visit went great. I’m happy to report that the kids’ visas were approved. We pick up their visas and passports Thursday morning and then fly home late Thursday night. We’ll be on a much bigger patch of US soil Friday, Lord willing. After the embassy, it was a great day. Ice cream, soccer, dinner, baths, and a whole lot of flipping through an Amharic phrase book. The day went smoother than we could have hoped for and we are so grateful to God to be here with our children. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow. Thanks again for all your prayers that have made this happen!
2012 at 8:13 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
6:30 p.m. Cousins reunited!
52home
2012 at 5:40 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood Adoption
[from our adoption blog]
After 30+ hours of travel, we have arrived safely in Ethiopia. It is so good to be back! We have an exciting couple days lined up, starting tomorrow. In the morning, we go to the transition home to pick up Kassa and Mulunesh. We CAN NOT WAIT! After lunch we go to the embassy for an appointment related to their visas. We are thrilled to be here and so grateful to be bringing our kids home. Thanks for all your prayers and support that have brought us this far.
2012 at 12:51 am | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
2:51 p.m. On their way!
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2012 at 8:56 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
Dinner 5:47 p.m. See previous 52home.
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2012 at 8:50 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood
From John Piper’s biographical sermon on J.C. Ryle:
Ryle was outspoken in his zeal for women in the various ministries of the church. He drew attention to Romans 16, where 11 of the 28 names mentioned are women, and said,
The chapter I have mentioned appears to me to contain a special lesson for women. The important position that women occupy in the Church of Christ—the wide field of real, though unobtrusive, usefulness that lies before them . . . I cannot go away with the common notion that great usefulness is for men only, and not for women. . . . It should never be forgotten that it is not preaching alone that moves and influences men. . . . Humanly speaking, the salvation of a household often depends upon the women . . . [and] men’s character is exceedingly influenced by their homes.73
There are countless needs in the community, and needs on the mission field, Ryle says, that cry out for the ministry of women.
There are hundreds of cases continually rising in which a woman is far more suitable visitor than a man. She need not put on a peculiar dress, or call herself by a Roman Catholic name. She has only to go about, in the spirit of her Savior, with kindness on her lips, gentleness in her ways, and the Bible in her hands, and the good that she may do is quite incalculable. Happy indeed is the parish where there are Christian women who “go about doing good.” Happy is that minister who has such helpers.74
2012 at 8:26 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
4:59 p.m. You can tell a lot about a person by their trash.
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2012 at 8:46 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
7:29 p.m. Pajama Ride with Cousins
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2012 at 9:44 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Homemaking
I keep finding myself thinking back to a post from Justin Taylor last week called “Hospitality and Generosity in the Luther Home.” Read this excerpt and imagine what it must have been like:
The house was filled with the sound of children. The Luthers had six children in their first nine years of marriage—three sons, and three three daughters (one of whom died at a few months of age, another at the age of 13). And then a few years into their marriage, the Luthers took into their home the six children of Luther’s sister. They also raised Katherine’s nephew. Martin often told them stories, taught them songs and games, played melodies on his lute, and instructed them in the faith.
University students often ate and boarded there, and Luther’s letters make reference to a steady stream of guests either coming or going.
There was a waiting list for those who wanted to room and board with the Luthers—no doubt because of the stimulating theological education and conversation, but also because for many years the Luther didn’t charge anyone for room and board.
As Martin lectured and wrote and debated and preached and traveled, Katie drove the wagon, took care of the field, bought cattle and put them out to pasture, brewed beer, prepared food for the graduation banquets, rented horses, sold linen, served as Martin’s publishing agent, and often nursed him back to health during his frequent illnesses. (You simply must read the whole article!)
Martin and Katherina’s intentional, joy-filled, self-denial for the sake of the kingdom is provoking to say the least. Their happy, hectic home life—so full of service to others—is an example I fall so far short of, but want to imitate. Their lives push me to ask myself what legacy I am leaving for my children: Is it one of hospitality and generosity that reflects the heart of our Savior? May God give us grace to make our homes more like this.
2012 at 8:21 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
3:01 p.m.
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2012 at 8:46 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
6 years ago today.
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2012 at 8:32 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood Adoption
Yesterday we heard from the US Embassy that we are officially cleared to travel. We snatched up the first available appointment and will be leaving next Sunday to go bring our children home! I can’t help but smile every time I see the airline ticket confirmations in my inbox.
The past week has been full of phone calls, paperwork, obsessive checking of email on my phone, anxious waiting for the final details to come together—“just labor pains” Janelle reminded me on one particularly challenging day. 
But we’ve also been doing lots of fun stuff like hair lessons from a wonderful new friend and adoptive mom, trips to Old Navy and Target for cute clothes, and turning the boys’ sailboat room into a sports room with a few new pillows and accessories. We’ve filled our scabies prescription at Target (just in case!) and scheduled doctor’s appointments. We’ve stocked up on hot sauce (which apparently Ethiopian children love to put on everything!) and bought ingredients for homemade Ethiopian stew. And filled out more paperwork.
Our second trip to Ethiopia will be very quick. The morning after we arrive in country we will be reunited with our children and we will never have to leave them again. They will come with us to our Embassy appointment and then we will spend two days doing fun things around Addis before our visas are issued and we can fly home.
Home. We are bringing our children home.
Thank you for your prayers! More updates and pictures to come.
2012 at 9:04 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
4:49 p.m. Closet Purge
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