Day 2 – January 26th – Bangalore, India… Free day before we get to the Lifesong Orphanage

 The next day we woke up early and went to a church around the corner recommended by a dear friend in Chicago (Liz).   The All People’s church had a contemporary worship service where their pastor spoke about God’s plan for India with respect to it being India’s Republic Day.   The service lasted about 2 hours and we enjoyed every minute of it.  Neha could have taken of about an hour, but patiently listened and sang familiar worship songs.  After church we took a car ride to the Bangalore Palace and toured the grounds from the outside.  

We then proceeded to our Cousin’s home in Cox Town, Bangalore and older and pristine area of the city that was very well kept.   My mom was so surprised at how they cleaned up the new tech city of Bangalore.  There were now cows to be found and the footpaths had been cleaned up.  She was hesitant to ask the driver  what had happened, but finally asked how the city was cleaned up and what happened to all the people living on the streets.   Our driver, Malcolm, was gracious to fill us in.  He told us that the cows and people have been displaced to the outskirts of the city where shelters were provided for them. 

We stayed at our family home and spent time playing with the kids for about 2 hours and then left with one of our cousin’s wife, who took us to see a Temple from the outside and then to the famous Commercial street shopping.  Shops were filled with handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, etc.  We enjoyed walking through the store.  We were all starting to get a bit tired being up from 3:00 am that morning and retired early to bed. 

Bangalore was a very modern city that reminded me of the United States.  My mom was constantly marveling at the progress that had been made from with Metra transport, Highways, and the volume of cars in the city.   She was proud that her country had made so much progress in such a short time.

I was waiting for our next trip to Vijawada and then to Narsapur to the Lifsong Kids, my main purpose for being here. 

Love, Neha  and Elizabeth

Day 1 – Arrival in India, Bangalore 3:00 am… Bright and Early

We had a long flight from Houston to Dubai and then our second flight was from Dubai to India.   We slept the whole way to help with the Jet Lag when we arrived.

When we finally arrived in Bangalore, we had to go through security to get our luggage, go through security again, and finally leave the airport.   Although you probably thing this process was quick, it really was not.  It took us about thirty minutes to finally find our bags at the baggage claim, and there was a long line to clear security again.  The airports are incredibly secure here in India. 

We got picked up by some man who was taking us to the hotel, which was 45 minute drive from the Bangalore airport.   Of course, Neha enjoyed her ride in the very back seat, next to the luggage and got a bit carsick.

We arrived at the hotel and it was extremely unique and ornate.   The lobby had lit-up marble blocks arranged in abstract form, everything was in nice hues of soft warm colors, and there were giant crystals dangling from the extremely high ceilings. 

We knew that this was only the beginning of a very interesting story and trip and there was much more adventure and excitement to come this next week. 

Love, Neha and Elizabeth 

ONE YEAR LATER... JANUARY 2014...Trip to Lifesong India with Neha Shaw

Hello Friends and Family,

It has been a year since we have updated our blog.  So much has happened in that time.  God has been so faithful in our lives.

We are now a family of 5 that is learning to work together in a unique way.  Tamir has been an such a blessing and a wonderful addition to our family.  We can not imagine our lives without her.  She is truly our spiritual accountability in the home.   It has been a long year of adjustments, laughter, crying and hard days and nights.  We have made it through the first year drawing closer to one another and more thankful each day for God's new mercies every morning.

This year we have watched dear friends loose loved ones, celebrate successes and milestones in our home and learn more than we wanted to know about ourselves.  God has challenged us to take our family on a journey in 2014 to pursue him more each day.   This year will truly be filled with greater discipline in spending more time in the word and together as a family seeking His desires for our hearts.  
Our prayer walk is more energized as we have had the privilege to walk along side friends dealing with loss, illness and uncertainty each day.   I am reminded daily about an old worship song my family used to sing at prayer meetings growing up.  "The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies shall never come to end.  They are new every morning, new every morning.  Great is thy Faithfulness, Oh' Lord, Great is thy Faithfulness."

Kelvin is doing well and keeping very busy with his work, taking course work at Rice University and being an amazing dad and husband to our family each day.  He is truly the balance and leadership that keeps are home floating and not sinking each day.

Elizabeth just turned 40, yes 40.   I enjoyed a beautiful time with friends and family in NYC reflecting on good times with old friends and family.  So thankful for that time and my unique and amazing friendships.   I am enjoying this phase of life watching my children grow into amazing sojourners of life.  They are not afraid to try new things and say the funniest things each day that keep me laughing all the time.

Neha is still the crazy, loving, godly girl that she has been over the years.  She is about to be 11 this year and keeps me on my toes as she signs up for everything.  She is enjoying acting/singing in center stage and all the many other things she signs up for at school.   She loves to be a little too social and enjoys her friendships.  She has been an amazing big sister this year and has taken on more responsibility with her new puppy.  Neha is finally getting that verse in the Bible... "Be Still and know that I am God."

Jacob has grown a tremendous amount this year in maturity.  He is our anchor in so many ways.  He loves deeply and continues to grow in his walk with the Lord in a way that I am so impressed daily.  He loves his friends at school and is really enjoying tennis and lacrosse this year.    

Tamir has jumped in with both feet and adjusted to the US better than we all imagined.  She loves school, friendships, and trying just about every sport there is.   She has been a joy to watch each day.   She has had an amazing school year and continues to amaze us each day.   Her prayers and her love for the Lord have been a testimony to our family each day.

We will be keeping this blog updated in the next few weeks as Neha and I take our first trip together to India.  Neha will be coming with me on a mission trip to the Lifesong India Orphanages in Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh.  I am so excited to see how God is going to use this trip in her life.   She has seen pictures of India, but has no idea what she is about to discover.

She will also have the opportunity to update the blog while we are there, so you will be hearing from her as well.  We would love your prayers at this time as we embark on this journey with great anticipation.  Please also keep Brenna Stull in your prayers as she will be leading the women through many discussions on their faith and understanding of God's plan for their lives.

Love and Prayers, Elizabeth Shaw

Day 3 with Tamir in Ethiopia...

Today was a day of laughing at each other all day.

She is so cooperative with us its amazing.  We wash her all the time, giver her vitamins, cream on her face. She never complains.  She loves all the smelly soaps and creams we have.. She is a girly girl.  

She is a pro at taking a bath and learns everything so fast.  It's amazing to watch.  She loves to be clean and can take baths and brush her teeth all day.  She puts things away and is very organized about her stuff.. even more than me.  I am sure you guys who know me well are laughing aloud right now.  

She likes to go to bed at 7:00 pm and wake up at 9:00 am. She sleeps like a log and we are basically laying next to her watching her sleep.  When we pray she laughs.. She kisses us all the time.. I love it.  We sing songs, read and say good night in her language and she covers her head with her sheet and she is off to bed.   This is the easiest kid yet... I hope it lasts.. I hope Neha and Jacob don't influence her the wrong way.

All day today she has been talking to us and we have no idea what she says most of the time.  We nod our head and remain attentive.  We had a funny incident today when she was asking me to go to the toilet a different way at the restaurant and I had no idea until she showed me with motions.  Quite a laugh this was with all her hand motions; it is going to be fun.  I hope she doesn't get too frustrated with all our hand motions and signals as well.  Of course I am over feeding her and the good Doctor is telling me to slow down.  She laughs at us fussing over her.  She thinks we are either crazy or funny.  

We took her to a gallery across the street and she told us stories and stories about some of the paintings.  We are hoping to go to the gallery near the embassy tomorrow morning and see if she likes any of the paintings there and bring some home.  We went to the market near our house today and her eyes were so amazed at everything in her own country.  She tried on everything and kept saying "WOW".  She was amazed at the traditional dress, beads, crosses, etc.. So of course I bought everything she liked.  I couldn't resist to bring some things home that reminded her of her country.  

We skyped today with Neha, Jacob and the family and she loved that.  She tells everyone, the driver, the guard, etc.. that she is going to America.  She is so excited.  I wish I could get inside her head to see what she is thinking.  

She definitely fits in our family with all her funny faces and silliness.  We are so amazed by her willingness to be with us.  I love watching her interact with Kelvin.  They have hit it off so well.  We will be walking along and she will attack him to tickle him.  It is so amazing to see her happy. 

We are thanking God each moment as He has gone before us and done the work needed to make this transition go so well for our family.  God is Good, All The Time!!!

Love, Elizabeth 
Sent from my iPad

Return to Ethiopia to Bring Tamir Home....

Hello Friends and Family, 

We have returned to Ethiopia this week to bring Tamir home.   We have had a great first day with Tamir in our custody at the Guest House.  She is an amazing little girl that is filled with Joy.  She is doing so well with us and we are enjoying her company.  She is full of life, by far the most energetic of our kids.  She loves to be outside, jump, skip run, jump rope (like a pro).  She has been very affectionate with us.  We learned how to say I love you in her language and she responds with I love you in English.  She is very spontaneous about her love and it overwhelms our hearts.  We will be sitting next to her eating or playing and she will turn to both of us with warm embraces and many kisses.

She has already started to bond very well with both of us.  She has really warmed up to Kelvin on this trip.  She is crazy like our family already with her funny faces and how she already is making fun of us.  We praise God for such a wonderful transition thus far with Tamir and many more great days to come.   

She keeps asking about Neha and Jacob.  She keeps wanting to see pictures of them.  She was bummed when we showed up without them.  Every time we say America she starts singing and dancing and shouting America.  We are a little nervous about that as we don't know what she is thinking America is all about.  Not sure what expectations are in her precious mind.  

Thank you for your prayers and support so far; We should be home soon and will keep you posted.  

Love, Elizabeth 

Sent from my iPad

Praising God for upcoming Embassy Appointment...

Dear Friends and Family,

We praise God for his divine hand on this process of submitting our application to the Embassy.  We are praying for an appointment the week of December 17th as we prepare to think about leaving for Ethiopia next week.

We are so excited about bringing Tamir home soon.  We can't wait to see her and miss her so much.  The kids are excited and ready for her to be home.  Please pray for our family at home as we will be travelling without them and on a special time of year.

Just got a fun photo of Tamir from Ethiopia.  More details to follow when we bring her home. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our family.  We are so blessed to have each of you as our friends and family.

Love, Elizabeth Shaw

 

Time of Prayer and Patience....

Dear Friends and Family,

First and foremost, Thank you for all your prayers and support of our family on this journey.  You have been an amazing support system for our family of 4 while we were in Ethiopia and now that we are home.

We are so blessed at both Neha and Jacob's school to have people that demonstrate their love for us through hugs, prayers and kind words daily.  We are so blessed at Church each day to be surrounded by so many people that pray for our family daily.  We are so blessed by family and friends that email, call and let us know that they are thinking about us. 

This was one of the hardest things to do, leaving a child behind that you know is yours.   I did not prepare myself for all the feelings that come with this.  I have been grumpy to my family at home and need your prayers for patience as I wonder what she is doing and how she is doing all the time.  We have not been able to sleep well or be productive at all.

We are in a waiting period with the US Embassy waiting for the next step of our paper work to be approved.  This can take 4-6 weeks or longer.  We are praying that we can bring her home before Christmas.   We have passed court at all levels in Ethiopia at this point.  It was amazing to hear the judge say that Tamir was our little girl from the standpoint of Ethiopia.  We know that God has been so good to our family at this point and know that he will continue to remain faithful.

Many of have asked what they can do and at this point, your prayers and support are what we need.  We look forward to the continued journey of bringing Tamir home to Kingwood, Texas and starting a new chapter of her life and our lives.

Love, Elizabeth