September & October 2009

Looking Back…

Those of you, who have had your share of hot summer days, can breathe a sigh of relief as September is here and soon the cool autumn days will take flight. It is hard to believe that summer has gone by so fast, yet here we are just three months away from Christmas. This summer has been a memorable one for Amanda and me. On June 22, Jackson Zane Dyson was born and on July 31, we celebrated ten years of marriage. The Lord has been faithful to our family over these ten wonderful years and we are truly blessed. Jackson is almost twelve weeks old and is growing so fast! Most of that growth has been in length, as his once long sleeve pj’s are becoming short sleeve! He is smiling a whole lot as well, which is so awesome to experience. Even if Jackson decides to wake up at 4 a.m. to tell us something he usually gives a great big grin. We are enjoying every second of this wonderful gift that the Lord has brought into our lives.

First Trip to Texas

During the third weekend of August I had the opportunity to present our ministry to a church in Texas that we had previously been scheduled to visit but unable to attend. Amanda and Jackson stayed at home as I went for the short weekend, which believe it or not, was our very first church in Texas! This month we will be presenting here in North Carolina before heading down to Florida in October

Shadles’ Arrive

As many of you know our teammates Eric & Amanda Shadle arrived safely in Ethiopia during the end of July. We have talked with them several times and they are doing well as they adjust to a new culture. The kids are in school, and they have been able to move into their house as well. Eric has mentioned that the prices continue to rise there, which can be an area of concern. Amanda and I have diligently been saving for our move, however we still need a great deal more when you add up all the numerous expenses. We have appreciated those that have given toward our moving expenses, and also appreciate all those who are considering giving in the future.

Enjoy the Season!

Amanda and I hope you have a wonderful fall as I am sure most are very busy during this time of year. Hopefully though you will take the opportunity to get out and enjoy the beauty and wonder that God has created. Enjoy the crispness that is in the air and find that family recipe for chili that you have wanted to make since March. Enjoy what God has graciously given you, soak it in, and as you do I hope and pray that you daily strive to live for Him.

Shadles in Addis!

We'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the Shadle's for your prayers! They have arrived safely in Ethiopia and are beginning the process of settling in. We have been able to talk to them on the phone a few times and were so encouraged to hear their voices! Please continue to lift them up in prayer as they are making an exciting but difficult transition. Please pray specifically for their kids, Kayla and Aaron, as they adjust to life in Ethiopia. We'll keep you posted...

We'd like you to meet our bundle of joy...

Introducing...

On June 15, Amanda and I left our home in Raleigh, NC and headed toward the Midwest knowing that when we returned our lives would never be the same again. At one time I imagined writing those words only in reference to us leaving for Ethiopia, and not the life-changing event that has quickly come before us. Our Ethiopia departure will be here soon enough, but for now I am trying to find time to catch my breath. What has specifically taken place in the last six months could only be orchestrated by God and for that I am in complete awe! The way this chapter of our lives is being written is not how I would have imagined it. Considering my lack of faith at times, I would have written it differently because often we think we know how our lives will unfold only to see God change the story line. Six months ago we were praying for God to show us a glimpse of His plan and now we are sitting here looking at a beautiful baby boy whom we would have never known if God hadn’t taken our precious Ava home. On June 22, 7 pound 12 ounce Jackson Zane Dyson was delivered by c-section, and by God’s grace we have the awesome opportunity to adopt him into our family. I pray every day that we will be parents who point Jackson to the Savior and help him see that God has a unique plan for his life. Six months ago I would have never dreamed of this experience and now I spend my days thinking about countless things in regards to Jackson and the faithfulness of God.

Some of those things I think about are temporal while others are of more eternal significance. Often I think about how our lives are going to be different as we drive home in a few weeks with a little guy in the back seat and how I long for that moment and will soak up every second I can. I think about Amanda being the wonderful mother that I know she will be and how excited I am to see her hold him close to her and rock him gently back and forth. I think about what it will be like for Jackson to grow up knowing that his birth mother loved him enough to find a family that would be able to raise him and provide for him. I also think about Jackson growing up in Ethiopia and the amazing opportunities he will have to learn about the world and just how big it is. There are so many things I have pondered in the last several weeks, most of which I never would have thought would be a part of this chapter in our lives. If you asked me a couple of years ago, this wouldn’t have been how I would have written this portion of our story. Thankfully though, I am not the one writing it, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Focusing On Him

It can be very overwhelming if one focuses on a future of questions and unknowns. True, if your chief desire is to love and please Christ, then you ultimately know that everything works together for good. However…it can be easy to look at what is ahead and forget that there is One who is in control! Plus, I am pretty sure that if we all were able to look ahead at the next ten years or so and could see the mountains and valleys the Lord will take us over and through it would cause us to breath a little heavier. Why? Well, I suppose since we are fallen men we tend to often forget that the God who created this entire, amazing universe can also handle our lives. That is much easier said than done - but it's all a process of growth. If I would have known ten years ago what roads He was going to take us on to mold Amanda and I, I would have been scared out of my “young” twenty-one year old mind. Thankfully, His faithfulness makes up for my lack of faith as He has taught us countless times to trust Him for what lies ahead.

On That Note…
After spending most of last year pleading with the Lord to show us a glimpse of what He is doing in our lives, Amanda received a gift box from one of our supporting churches in early January. Included in this box was a card from a young lady who was pregnant and felt that the best thing for her child was to find a Christian family to adopt her baby. After exchanging emails with her for several weeks, we went in March to meet her for the first time. Although we were more nervous than we have ever been, it was a wonderful trip and God gave us a sweet time together as we embark on this new relationship. We were very grateful to meet her and are humbled that she desires for us to adopt her baby. We are so excited to see what is in store! The baby is due this summer and I would ask that you would please pray for God’s perfect plan in this. Once again, He amazes us! Although we miss Ava greatly, there is no doubt that we would not have this opportunity before us if He had not taken her home.

The Future
As we mentioned in our last update, we are very close to our 100% support level, which is very exciting. As of right now we are planning on leaving in January 2010 as we have to stay a few extra months because of the adoption process. The extra time will help us finish our full support as well as raise funds for the many expenses it will take to move and settle in once we arrive in Ethiopia. If you would like more information on how you can give toward projects, please let us know. We are anxious to arrive on the field, but know that it is all in God’s timing, which is much greater than our timing! We hope that you have a wonderful spring as we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, and as always may we strive to be more like Him every day.

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow!

Well, we woke up this morning at home in Raleigh to a beautiful white blanket of snow covering everything! Now, being a Florida girl who went to college in Missouri, I STILL am not used to looking out the window and seeing SNOW! It was an absolutely beautiful day and reminded me so much of the goodness of our Savior! As our anticipated departure date is drawing closer, I seem to wax nostalgic in every little thing...this morning I thought to myself, "this is probably the last time I will see snow for quite a while"
...AND I'm okay with that! Though I find the snow extremely beautiful and nice to look at, I'm not the sledding, snow-boot wearing kinda girl. So, thank you, Lord, for calling us to a warm land!
Traveling is pretty slow this month but we will hit the ground running in February so we will keep you posted.
Craig is in Illinois this week with his family after his uncle passed away this past Sunday. Uncle Dale was a wonderful man and will be missed. Please keep the Norfleet family in your prayers.