That's What She Said

Truth be told, "Worth the Wait" shirts were created with adoption in mind; yet as the concept evolved so did our vision for the shirt.  "Worth the Wait" fits so many genres.  For instance, Katie, a 19 year old, single girl bought the shirt with very different message in mind.

I'd like to introduce you to this girl that I LOVE!  Mature beyond her years, Katie helps our family with the kids, with life, and doing what she does best...pointing my kids to the cross with an unfailing love for God. Katie desperately desires for each area of her life to be fully submitted to the Lord's best.  Katie has committed herself to purity.  PURITY!  Really; that's what she said.

Katie sets the bar high.  She hope that her husband will be the recipient of all of the best of her, even her first kiss.  "Worth the Wait" for my sweet, sister-friend, Katie, states her commitment to purity.  One day, her husband will know HE was worth the wait.

"My husband is worth the wait," that's what she said.

Isn't that true..The Lord is good to those who wait on Him.  A profound statement on the effect of purity.

What is LoPa?

I realize many of you may read "LoPa" on my blog but may not know who, what, or why LoPa exists.  With LoPa's return trip only hours (36 but who's counting) away, I thought you might appreciate the journey to LoPa and pray for God's plan for LoPa's future. 

In spring of 2010, God weaved together the lives of three women in an undeniable way.  Within weeks of one another, the Andrews and the Knights traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to meet their newest children.  The Brookshires accompanied the Knights, their dearest friends.  They dare not miss out on the arrival of their friends’ youngest son, whom they diligently prayed for during the process of bringing him home.

The Andrews chose adoption.  Although they considered pregnancy, the Andrews few unsuccessful attempts without medical intervention reassured them of God’s plan for them.  Never did they doubt God had children for them.  They only wondered where God would lead them to find their children.  Lindsey sponsored a boy in Ethiopia. In her heart, this young man was her son.  He took up residence there.  She loved him.  She felt sure someday, he would also take up physical residence in her home; but he is still in Ethiopia.  This encouraged the Andrews to pursue older siblings and taught them family does not mean location.  They were matched with a sibling group.  Ruta and Alazar’s adoption screams of God’s sovereignty and confirmed they had heard God’s call.  Lindsey continues to pine for her son in Ethiopia and advocates for all those left behind.

Josh and Lori Knight lost 4 pregnancies after their second child due to a genetic issue.  Lori never expected another child through pregnancy, yet God gave them a third, biological son AND granted them the insatiable desire to grow their family through adoption.  God used painful losses to light a fire in the Knights hearts for orphans.  Their fourth child, Mezekir, is their first Ethiopian son.  His placement waylaid their hearts for the most needy in Ethiopia.  While in Ethiopia, Lori realized how many children she was leaving behind…children she couldn’t forget.

Paula has been termed “a mother to all.”  Though Mark and Paula Brookshire have not yet adopted, they are familiar with the beauty and impact of adoption.  Years of infertility coupled with the love of family left the Brookshires yearning.  They knew God’s intention for them to grow a family was not through fertility measures.  As their heart opened toward adoption, God miraculously gifted them with two biological daughters.  The stirring God placed in their hearts due to infertility propelled them into equipping others to adopt, advocating for the least of these, changing the lives of orphans around the globe, and remaining prayerfully open to an adoption of their own.

Ethiopia captured the hearts of Lindsey, Lori, and Paula.  God impressed on each woman the beauty of Ethiopia and the hope and joy deeply rooted in the culture despite the needs of the people and the hurt of poverty that coexist. Leaving Ethiopia with their children was bittersweet.  They understood for each of their children, millions of orphans remained in Ethiopia lonely, destitute, and powerless but waiting for hope.  Touching two, three, or four children was not enough.  God called them to more.  Love for orphans and Passion for change sparked action, which birthed LoPa.

LoPa was born of God’s call on these three women. They saw firsthand the possibility of hope amidst poverty and of touching those left behind. By selling high quality products from Ethiopian artisans, LoPa returns profits to established organizations in Ethiopia. These funds feed, educate, trade train, and provide minor medical care for orphans at Korah.  LoPa is surrendered to doing their part in following God’s call to care for the least of these. 

Pray Her Home

About three years ago, we officially began the adoption journey to Mez.  When we began our journey, we entreated God to surround us with like minded people in our community who would walk a similar road.  Little did we know that at that same point some of our dear friends had already begun their journey to an adoption from Ethiopia.  Three years and two children later, due to events which can only be credited to God, they still await the placement of their "Princess Ethi."  

The Ethiopian adoption process continues to slow.  Our friends have been caught in the web of delays that is characteristic to IA.  Outside of a miracle, it looks like the road to placement is still months away.  None of these circumstances are within their control; but I was reminded earlier today by my 5 year old "all things are possible for God."  Preston is right.  All things are possible for God.  

Because all things are possible for God, I am asking you to join me in praying Princess Ethi home.  Please, pray specifically for these things: 1.  All of their paperwork would remain current as the process continues AND that it would be exactly as the ET courts desire.  2.  God would supernaturally intercede and move their court date forward ahead of its scheduled date (He can.  It happens.  Ours did).  3.  A positive opinion by all parts of the ET courts.  4.  Our friends would receive an embassy date before those other families waiting on a date (sorry if this means you.  i love you, too; but their road has been so long.)  5.  No investigation by US Embassy would be necessary (as has become custom in ET).  6.  Pray that each day apart from their daughter, God would continue to soften the heart of their daughter toward her family, so when she is in their arms it would be as natural as if they had always been together.  7.  Pray for Princess Ethi's separation from the only home she's ever known.  Pray for those in ET, who love and care for her daily.  

PRAY GOD BRINGS HER HOME...AND IN A WAY THAT IS ONLY TO HIS CREDIT...QUICKLY...BEYOND WHAT WE COULD IMAGINE.  

I'm setting my alarm for 2:00 p.m. each day as a reminder to pray.  Would you join me?  Princess Ethi is long overdue.  

"Worth the Wait"

On the other side of the world in the bustling city of Addis Ababa, there is a set of deep, melancholic brown eyes.  These eyes, though often forlorn, light up with hope, the hope of a promised family, every now and then.  And here, just a few miles away, her mama and daddy's heart ache for their daughter.  Princess Ethi is one of many, who have waited far too long to become part of the family for which she was created.  

Adoptions around the globe appear to be in slow motion.  Court delays, investigations, and new safeguards from the judicial system are lulling the pace of adoptions into a sleep like state.  Waiting is hard.

As adoptive moms, we at LoPa Art understand 1.  God's sovereignty does not ease the pain but allows us to persevere.  2.  The agony of the process is Worth the Wait.  This understanding provoked the design of our newest t-shirt...Worth the Wait.

LoPa Art recently travelled to several shows with our art, leather, and t-shirts.  They were a hit.  HUGE hit.  Since we depart for our semi-annual buying trip to Ethiopia just next week, we need to clear out our remaining inventory; and you benefit.  

We have both children and adults' Worth the Wait shirt.  For only a few day, we are selling the shirts for $20.  No tax.  No shipping.  $20.  Easy.  Below is a list of our remaining inventory.  To order, email us at  lopa3moms at gmail dot com (or click on the "us" above) and tell us:  1. size, color, and quantity, 2. your name and address, 3. your email address.  We will bill you via paypal and pop your shirts in the mail before we jump over the ocean.  If you order more than 2 shirt, please, include an additional $2/shirt to cover the shipping.  The profit from the "Worth the Wait" shirt funds feeding at Korah.

Lucky you!  You get to spread the message (on the back of the shirt) of Lamentations 3:25, "The Lord is good to those who wait for HIM, to the soul who seeks HIM." We know that no matter the journey, waiting is hard; but when we follow Him, we find it is always “Worth the Wait.”  

All of these babies have been "Worth the Wait"

Our photographer thought a good shoot might be "Worth the Wait"

This pregnant mama knows her little one is "Worth the Wait"

Adult Shirts:

Pink with yellow-Xs-1
Lg-1

Blue with yellow-
M-3
L- 3
XL-1
XXL-1

Charcoal with yellow-
S-1
M-2
XL-1
XXL-1

Charcoal with green-
S-0
M-2
L-2
XL-2

Charcoal with purple-
XS-1
M-3
L-2

Putty with purple-
S-0
M-3
L-2
XL-1
XXL-1

Children Sizes:

Pink with yellow-
XS-1
S-2
M-1
L-3

Lime green with purple-
M-1
L-2

Putty with green-
XS- 0
S-0
M-0
L-3
XL-1

Blue with yellow-
XS-1
M-2
L-4
XL-2

Brown with yellow-
XS-1
S-2
M-3
L-3
XL-2

The "M" Factor

In only 6 days, me and my chickens board a Lufthansa plane to return to Ethiopia.  I've called all hands on deck to ready the family and our business, LoPa, for departure.  I assumed this would be a bit simpler this time around (like a mathematical equation, you know the parts, you work it out), since we have done this a few times prior.  BUT just like an equation, when a factor is excluded the process might be flawed...might be?  IS!!!  Well, I forgot the "M" factor.  "M" being Mez.

Mez, my sidekick, mimics my moves.  He follows.  He parodyzes me.  In most of life, no problem; but in packing, oy vey!  The "M" factor plays out like this:

Gather all socks, underwear for 6 people, and bras for mom.  Fastidiously, place in the guest room on the bed, otherwise known as collection station.  Leave to gather shoes.  Take shoes to collection station and expose a meandering trail of socks, missing undies, and a white, cotton bra on the toddler's curly-head-o-hair.  Ask the baby where he placed mommy's socks and undies.  Baby delightedly chirps back in the same uniformity as to all other questions, "Da, da.  Da, da, da, do.  Gunk."  Hunt for socks.  Regain undies (most of them that is).  Return to guest room to find Curios Mez sporting Daddy's shoes and rhythmically chanting, "Da, da, da, do. Abbaba."  9 of the 12 shoes remain on collection station; and again we begin the effort of discovery and acquisition.  Begrudgingly, "M" factor meanders alongside mama to avoid future pilfering of the packing items.  Mez's help only makes my task more arduous, so I resolve to retire my efforts until nap time. 

Rewinding and watching my life in my mind's eye, enjoying all the mayhem that accompanies parenting, I cackle aloud.  I love my life.  I love the "M" factor, the "H" factor, the "A" factor, the "P" factor, and mostly, the husband factor.  The countdown for Ethiopia is officially on; and I am anticipating a month in Ethiopia loving my ET family and my US family.  Now, if I can only get packed!