tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39955656097077379622024-11-08T10:16:24.223-05:00Our Ethiopian Adoption Journey...Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-29323618186365182132011-01-10T11:24:00.001-05:002011-01-10T11:30:07.306-05:00

Hello there:Thanks for stopping by. I have overhauled and simplified my blog and hope you will now join me at www.beginwithone.com I have big news to share so please take a peak. Enjoy your day and do not forget to subsrcibe and bookmark my new site. Peace and Love,Melanie

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-47365803696510091342010-12-30T23:03:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:05:42.986-05:00

Tomorrow night we will ring in the New Year first with our children and then with friends at an UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY. Yep, that's the theme and the gaudy sweaters are so hot this year that they are being sold for big bucks on Ebay. So do not deliver them to Goodwill just yet... You never know if you may need one for a party next year and heck why not go the Ebay route if it is truly a one

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-63603364134936869492010-12-25T17:21:00.002-05:002010-12-25T17:26:05.753-05:00

Born and lying in a manager wrapped in nothing more than rags...HE came to live here on earth so that we might learn the deepest lessons of peace, grace, trust and love. It was an honor to be the holy family in the pagent this year at our church and I cannot express just how special it was to see this dear baby, our new daughter, who at one time was cold and lonely and without a home,

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-42169251259784583742010-12-24T10:46:00.000-05:002010-12-24T10:46:09.090-05:00

We are a wild and crazy bunch around here and I am amazed at the end of each day what it takes to make it all happen as a family of six. Our boys are in 5th, 3rd and 1st grade and I can honestly say the break from the school routine has been so needed. I love letting the boys wake up on their own, play cards before breakfast, head out in their snow gear while still wearing PJs. It is great fun to

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-35625320565694927542010-12-21T01:05:00.003-05:002010-12-21T16:29:12.795-05:00

What a week it has been and now we roll into an even bigger week of celebration and Christmas cheer. With only four days until Christmas I have to chuckle that my cards have been in transit for five days now. I hit the wrong shipping option and here I sit with envelopes all addressed and no cards yet. This year our priorities have changed a bit :) Last week was full of hoopla and excitement as

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-90887730423048226982010-12-10T18:05:00.003-05:002010-12-10T18:18:41.977-05:00

Ever since discovering last summer that our family would be a part of the first group with our agency to have to travel twice to Ethiopia,  first to meet our daughter and then again to bring her home, I just knew that there was a bigger plan in order. I took the news and the expense it would take to make two trips,  and made it my mission to get many needed supplies into Ethiopia. SHOES

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-2434429325126501932010-12-10T12:54:00.000-05:002010-12-10T12:54:19.227-05:00

International Adoption Crisis from Both Ends Burning on Vimeo.

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-36182382667167209722010-12-09T23:55:00.000-05:002010-12-09T23:55:17.408-05:00

Next week is my birthday and I feel a bit of hesitation now that I am in my forties as the day draws closer, yet I am can honestly say I am right where I feel I am supposed to be. That feeling doesn't come along every day so I am grateful for the days I feel headed in the right direction and living out the call that has been placed on my heart to serve. The calling is just there. It is even heavy

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-41654162993677358762010-12-05T23:45:00.000-05:002010-12-05T23:45:26.525-05:00

Keep in mind it is just an idea, but I keep asking myself what if, so I had to share with all of you. Over the past few years in addition to being home with kids, I have been using my time to research and connect with various charitable organizations both locally, nationally and internationally. Stepping out into the adoption arena helped us to see things we never imagined we would see in terms

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com158tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-35616529734619712082010-11-27T09:44:00.000-05:002010-11-27T09:44:20.784-05:00

This week was big! So many blessings to count and so many blessings I want to remember each day. Some days I wish I could take more photos or actually take better photos to document the many doings in our lives, the forward motion of our children or the tough days when we wish we could wake up and begin again.   We lead such full lives rich in opportunities and my heart is heavy with

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-57583220382904506292010-11-22T01:21:00.003-05:002010-11-22T10:40:59.333-05:00

I will never forget walking off the plane and down the ramp to the many family and friends who were so eager to meet our daughter home from Ethiopia. My sister, Shannon, was by my side and Ava was tucked into the front carrier asleep and I was fighting to be able to walk I was so tired and so filled with raw emotion. I could not wait to bring this once orphaned child into the arms of her

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-21233648629771764022010-11-15T14:14:00.000-05:002010-11-15T14:14:42.431-05:00

This week Ava is SOOOOOO BIG! Here is what she looks like when she makes her wild face and raises her arms above her head.The crazy face below had her brothers absolutely roaring with laughter last night at the dinner table. Ave girl you are the sweetest thing and during this season of gratitde I am so thankful for YOU! Look at her look up at her big brother Carter. There is so much love

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-70679616416530133332010-11-15T13:58:00.000-05:002010-11-15T13:58:52.811-05:00

One of the greatest gifts in working through our wonderful adoption agency,All God's Children International, has been meeting families who are truly the salt of the earth. Most of the families who have gone before us in adoption or who are waiting to know who is intended for their families,  have been so instrumental in helping us grow in our faith journey. We had the delight of traveling

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-87386384069920473602010-11-10T08:21:00.000-05:002010-11-10T08:21:23.056-05:00

A new baby in the house is such fun. Owen is only six and yet I feel that I have fogotten much of the exhiliration of the many first. This past weekend in West Michigan we had our first snowfall. The big wet white falkes even stuck around for a few hours, causing all the kids to run around dreaming of sledding and snoball fights. Ava was out with Daddy on a walk when the snow began to fall and

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-61352773971038691142010-11-08T16:53:00.000-05:002010-11-08T16:53:14.828-05:00

I have found myself consumed last week with the crisis that is happening all around us. That crisis is the 143 million orphans in the world today. Let me repeat 143 million. My husband and I have seen first hand what that looks and feels like on the streets of Ethiopia and we are very aware of the thousands of children right here in the US who live in the foster care system. The orphan crisis

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-53087765199298702122010-11-07T20:48:00.000-05:002010-11-07T20:48:30.675-05:00

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-74242678841123967052010-10-29T12:12:00.000-04:002010-10-29T12:12:48.921-04:00

This morning while our daughter drank her bottle I noticed her latest trick. She now holds her hands up and opens and shuts them while starring at the movement of her fingers. Yes I know, no big deal for most children and of course when we are busy busy busy sometimes we just want our little ones to drink their bottle so we can get them down for a nap. Ava had changed us. We look at her with eyes

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-1371128158661508172010-10-27T10:27:00.000-04:002010-10-27T10:27:40.832-04:00

Days click by and I am so wishing there was a gadget to transfer my thoughts to paper without having to find the time to sit and type. Of course there will be soon as I can only imagine someone at Apple is working on that right now. :) You see when I sit in this space I have the best time to think... The rocking chair we used for all three boys is in this room and I love to turn on the

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-29472118078784223352010-10-24T23:53:00.003-04:002010-10-25T10:20:54.341-04:00

Speak Up for Those Who Cannot Speak for Themselves!All proceeds from the sale of our tshirts will benefit the love and care of orphans and widows.-Send a child to school-Send someone to love on orphans Be the Change ONE CHILD at a TIME! We have three junior sizes and small, medium, large and x-large for adults. Please note that the shirts are slightly fitted.Please feel free to

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-16126011049684326612010-10-20T00:35:00.000-04:002010-10-20T00:35:49.094-04:00

Tonight I write to all of you reading who might be questioning adoption. I know you are wondering if it is for you or your family. Perhaps you are asking yourself if it is something you have the heart to endure or the patience to stomach. Maybe you are fearful of what lies ahead due to the many unknowns in the adoption journey. I write to you and wish I could jump through my computer screen and

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-52186711937551665922010-10-12T08:21:00.000-04:002010-10-12T08:21:57.148-04:00

The Ethiopian Daughter of our hearts: BE THE CHANGE and get your t-shirt(s) HERE!

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-35802565065622203172010-10-12T08:14:00.000-04:002010-10-12T08:14:11.764-04:00

The Ethiopian Daughter of our hearts: A post from John Ortberg

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-8806716549311491542010-10-12T08:12:00.001-04:002010-10-12T08:13:36.772-04:00

HOW DO I KNOW GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE? I was at commencement at a Christian college this weekend, and it reminded me of the question millions of young people are asking this time of year. We never grow out of that question: Who is operating out of a wisdom surplus? But the vast majority of people start at the wrong place. When I finished college, I desperately wanted to know what I should do

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-73609155747450315942010-10-11T15:30:00.000-04:002010-10-11T15:30:44.631-04:00

Here is southern Michigan we are on week two of amazing sushine and leaves that look like they have been painted on the trees. It is as if a child were given many shades of gold, magenta, crimson and orange and told to finger paint until their heart's content. It is truly spectacular! During our winter months many of us crave the sunshine so we have all been taking it all ina nd enjoying every

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995565609707737962.post-50200885877003531592010-10-08T23:34:00.000-04:002010-10-08T23:34:28.209-04:00

This evening I finally had a chance to quickly go through the mail. Near the top of the pile sat a letter addressed to yours truly with the return address of Project 61, which some of you may know is the ministry that is working within the forgotten community of Korah in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They are serving the children, who for many years have worked in the trash dump to find whatever

Melanie Strobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.com4