As I laid in bed this AM not sleeping of course, because that would be too much to ask for, I started to think about what Eyob will know about this time when he gets older. Will he want to hear about the frantic packing and planning we did before we went to get him? Will he want to know about our trip? Will he want to know how we felt and what we thought about as we waited for him this last year? I think he will. It will be his “birth story” if you will. His birth into our family. So I am trying to write it down, not just on the blog but on paper so I don’t forget it.
One of the things I have read, while reading about adoption this year, is that it is very important for adoptees to feel like they are a part of the extended family even if something were to happen to their parents. Often they do not have the same sense of security in their extended family and friends network that biological children in the same family do. They often grow up worried about what would happen to them if their parents were to die. So lets start right now helping Eyob feel secure in our family. Would you help me?????
Here’s what I need……. would any and all of you who read and feel led please comment to this post about Eyob and what you are thinking and feeling about his adoption. Welcome him home and tell him how he is going to be a part of your life. Even if you are far away you are still a part of the network of friends and family in our lives and Eyob needs to know that you will be there for him as well. Even if it is only a sentence or two with your name. Maybe a scripture verse or a prayer you have for him. And even if you don’t know our family please add your thoughts. I will print this out when we get home and add them to his book. How wonderful for him to know the love of extended family and friends.
If you don’t feel comfortable posting this on the blog you mail email them directly to me at btarms@hotmail.com. Please be brave in posting just a few sentences for this beautiful brown-eyed boy!
I am going to be the first one….
Eyob, the son of my heart. I have literally waited for you since I was a child and first knew about adoption. You are wanted and loved already and I haven’t even met you. Only two more days and I will be looking at you in person for the first time. I hope you won’t hate me too much. I know that it is going to be rough going at first, but there is nothing you will ever do that will change my mother’s love for you. I can’t wait to meet you little one. I can’t wait to finally say welcome home.
By the way, your brothers can’t wait to see you either. Sloan already has a car picked out just for you and Sean’s room is ready to welcome you home.
Eyob when I layed eyes on you I knew you are special, that you would touch so many hearts. I woke up this morning knowing that your mom and dad must have huge butterflies in their bellies as they wait and anticiapate greeting you in their arms. You must know how much you are loved little one, and how much joy you will bring to your families world! I can’t wait to get a sneek peek of what your first days will be like at home. I know it will be a difficult adjustment for a little while, but you will soon ease into a new home as you are embraced as an ARMSTONG! Sweet peace to you.
Eyob,
We are so excited for you to come to your new home. Your parents were so generous in sharing this experience with all of their friends, that we all feel like we are adopting you in our families. We are cheering for you, praying for you and anticipating your arrival. We can’t wait to see you grow up and flourish in this beautiful family. We don’t even personally know you yet, but you are loved more than you can possibly know!
Eyob~Our sweet angel baby boy, We love you! We have been waiting and praying for you for so long, and can’t wait to hold you in our arms. Sweet, precious boy, always remember who loves you the most-Jesus! He will hold you when we can’t be there, He is holding you even now. We are amazed at the story of your life and how our heavenly Father brought you into our lives. We can’t wait to watch and be a part of the rest of the story. To think, even before the beginning of time God knew you would be a part of our family, and we are so thankful to Him for you. We will forever be changed by you and the blessing that you are!!!! I thank God for you every day and whenever you need your favorite Nee-Nee or your BIG Uncle Warren just call us. When you are older, read, Isaiah 43:1-13 & Jeremiah 29:11-13. God has an amazing plan for your life, seek Him always and you will find Him. James 1:5-6 says that the Lord will generously give us wisdom when we ask, AND believe that He will answer. We love you our sweet boy!! Love-Always and Forever….Nee-Nee, and Uncle Warren
Eyob, when your Mama was a little girl she would tell us she was never going to have babies, she was only going to adopt. So your Mama, our little girl, has always wanted you. For all of her life she has been waiting for you and now she has you and so do we. We are so happy to finally get to meet our next little grandson and to welcome you into our family. Sloan, Sean and Canyon are so excited to meet their new brother and cousin. We are a happy family together and it makes us all happy to have you in our life. We love you very much.
Nanny and Papa
Welcome to the family, Eyob! This is your cousin, Molly, who is currently far away from the whole family for a year in France. But you know what? I can feel love of this family everywhere I am. I wish the same for you. I won’t be able to see your beautiful face in person for quite a while, but I want you to know that family isn’t about distance or blood, its all about the love. And we couldn’t love you more!
Your cousin Molly
Dearest Eyob, I can attest to the love your new parents have for you. I have heard all bout you right from the beginning when your parents knew they were to be your new mother and father. We were at you grandma and papa’s when they recieved the word. We have prayed for you and your family for this day to come about when they could get you and you would be together forever,at last. Praise be to our God who knows when our prayers should be answered. In His time!
We are looking forward to meeting you some day. Your brothers love Papa Bear and I know you will too. We are overjoyed to hear you will be home soon. May God bless you and your family as you come to know and love each other. Your life is blessed by your family God has given you. Maggie and Papa Bear
Eyob,
The thing I most want you to know is how much you are loved and wanted. When I first met your Mother a year ago she was already talking about you and wanting you. Through this whole process I have seen how your parents have loved you and prayed for you. I want to share my favorite verse with you Romans 8:28 All things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. I know that it is not an accident that you are an Armstrong. Remember, you are loved and wanted and that won’t ever change. A parent’s love for their child is unbreakable NO MATTER how the child became a part of their family.
My prayers are with you and your family,
Cassie McWhorter
Little Eyob-
There is so much new to experience in this next year for you! We are praying for you and your mom and dad and your 2 brothers that you all get to know eachother quickly and adjust smoothly. I cannot wait to meet you in person. My little boys are friends with your brothers and I know they will love you just as much. We look at your pictures on our computer all the time and talk about how exciting it is for you to come! I hope we can see you and play with you in person very soon. Know that you are welcomed and loved by soooo many more people than you can possibly imagine! I hope you can feel our invisible hugs from Phoenix that we send up for you. Welcome home Eyob!
Rand, Kaylee, Brendan and Wyatt Wagner
((( ))) **** hugs and kisses for you!
Eyob,
This is from a friend named Julie. I am a mommy of 3 children. My younges is named Nathan. He also is adopted. I am so excited to know you and watch you grow. At South Mountain Community church, I met your mommy. She is pretty cool and everyone loves her. We have watched as you were born in her heart and in ours. I know that feeling of waiting and waiting for a special day to see the child that our God placed in our family. I have always honored the place where my Nathan came from. It is a part of him and us as well. The same will be for you. A special child who was sought out by your parents, and by Jesus. I will always look at you as I do every child as one who the Lord as me to help raise in Christ. I will always watch to see you grow in wisdom and strength. Praise God for this event of bringing you to us.
Love,
Julie and family
Hi Eyob,
We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. We are very good friends of your mom and dad’s in Washington and we love your family very much. You are a beautiful boy and deserve all of the love that will surround you in your new family. I hope we will get to experience lots of adventures with you and have the opportunity to be a part of your extended family! :o)
We love you,
Heather and Dave
Happy Thanksgiving Eyob!
As I am reading your mom’s words, tears are falling down my cheeks. Tears of joy, of love, of excitement for you to join our little South Jordan world! You have been prayed for and loved by (at the time) complete strangers while you were in your mother’s womb. God had a different plan for your life and you were chosen (I’m convinced it’s those big beautiful eyes) to be an Armstrong! Our family can’t wait to meet you (my girls want to play as soon as you get home) and we are looking forward to all the tickles and giggles ahead!
Welcome Home “E”
Love,
James, Susan, Chloe & Rory
Eyob-
We love you. We have loved you since we first knew you were part of the family. Words can not even express how incredibly excited I/we are to meet and hold you! We have been so anxiously anticipating your homecoming. Now, you are finally coming home! Praise our GOD! You have an amazing mommy and daddy that love you so much, and that love will only grow. Welcome HOME my little nephew! Loves, Auntie Summer
Eyob,
It is fitting that your Mom and Dad start their journey to bring you home on Thanksgiving day. We have prayed for you and your arrival into this family that loves you so much. Today my family will give thanks for you and your new family. May you always know the joy that and love that you brought to your family and those of us who were part of this beautiful experience.
God Bless.
Love,
Sue and Family
Eyob, your mother has been precious to me since I first met her. I have been thrilled to see that her dream has been fulfilled in adopting you. As you grow, I pray that as your brown eyes look into hers, you will know that her love is immense, but is small in comparison with your heavenly Father’s love for you. He has a great plan for your life and you are on the threshold of being bonded into a fine, loving, and godly family. How blessed you are, Eyob! You will learn this truth more and more as you mature.
Hi dearest Eyob-
I have thought for many days about your homecoming. About what I would want to tell you if I was waiting in person to meet you. Your journey has traveled in and out of my mind so much since your mama posted the news that you were on your way home. You will be told this story many times as you grow up. You will be comforted by the descriptions of your special mothers who nurtured you with all the love they knew how to give. And you will be reassured that you belong to this family as you come to fully understand their anticipation, longing and desire to hold you and raise you in their shelter of love and protection. So much has changed for you in the last few weeks…
But I’m struck more by how much has remained the same. Eyob, you were cared for by Special Mothers in Ethiopia. Trust me when I tell you that you will spend the rest of your days being raised by a very special mother. Indeed, a very special family. And I know that you were surrounded by other children- but you are not coming home to an empty house. You have two brothers; they are YOURS Eyob, and will be forever. But most importantly, precious Eyob, you are who you’ve always been. You were born a child of the King. You were born with a Heavenly Father who knew you. Loved you. Protected you. You always have been and always will be His child. Eyob your address, your country, you homeland has changed. But you are a citizen of Heaven- your Father has merely shifted your location so that His Light and Life and Love and Protection can fill your days as some of His really special Children raise you. You are as much a blessing as you will find yourself blessed. Welcome home Eyob.
Eyob, all I can say is that God loves you very, very much–so much that He chose a wonderful family for you to begin belonging to. He will walk with you hand-in-hand for your entire life, give you a good work to do, and let you have many people to care about. You are a beautiful child of God with a bright future, and I pray for every blessing for you and your family!
Eyob,
Welcome to a family that has prayed and waited for you for a long time. As you face difficult times in the years ahead, know that you are loved and cared for. There is a place you belong, where your heart will discover its home…may you seek it earnestly and with persevearance. You will not be disappointed. I look forward to meeting you and seeing you grow.