In a way we were looking forward to 2009 after a difficult 2008, but in the same sense we knew we were coming up on one year since Ava went home, and we knew it would be a difficult time. One of our supporting churches in Illinois knew how hard the past Christmas had been so the pastor’s wife, Kimberly Shirley, along with the ladies of the church sent a nice gift box to my wife. Inside among other things were some personal cards that the ladies had written to Amanda. One of those cards caught Amanda’s eye and after I had read through them I knew right away which one it was. A single woman, relatively new to the church, was pregnant and felt that the best thing she could do for her baby was to put the child up for adoption. Amanda and I discussed it and prayed about it. Certainly we thought how exciting it would be to adopt this baby, but we also knew that heartache could easily happen. It was a scary thought, not knowing how it would turn out. It would have been easy to ignore the card, but what if we miss an opportunity that God had given us? We didn’t want to look back in ten years and wonder what would have happened if we had stepped out by faith. So we decided that January day that we would see what God would do with this, and for us 2009 would never be the same.
The next few months were filled with busyness as we emailed back and forth with the mother, prepared paper work, and started to learn more about the adoption process. Right in the middle of all this, Amanda and I flew up to Illinois to nervously meet the birth mom for the first time. Everything went very well, and she said without hesitation that she wanted Amanda and me to adopt her baby. We were humbled by this, but knew that God had orchestrated the whole event and it was only by His hand that this could happen.
As June started we were both very excited and extremely nervous. As the second week of June came around we packed up the truck and headed to Illinois. The nursery was finished and we were anxious to see a little baby boy sleeping in there! Finally, on June 22, Jackson Zane Dyson was born. As we sat there in the hospital the whole thing was sort of surreal. Within six months of reading a card we were in a hospital watching our son come into the world. Only God could make this happen. Only God could use a difficult 2008 to bring a beautiful baby boy into our family. Since Jackson’s birth we have been enjoying all the new things that we get to experience with a new baby. Not a day goes by that we don’t look at him and realize how blessed we are and how much we love him. His birth was truly a miracle, in more ways than one.
On the deputation front, we had the great opportunity to present our ministry in Ethiopia to several churches with many taking us on for financial support. Unfortunately, because of economic times we have seen some unable to continue support for the time being. Of course, this is all in God’s hands, as we know His timing is best. We look forward to 2010 with great anticipation as we walk in faith and trust that God will guide and direct. On December 30 we will be in Illinois to finalize Jackson’s adoption, and after that we continue with the process for our departure to Ethiopia in the early part of the new year. Please pray for us, as much needs to be completed in the coming months.
We hope that as you look back on 2009 you can do so with joy in your hearts knowing you lived it to the fullest in your passion for Jesus Christ. We hope you experienced His unwavering grace, always knowing He is faithful both through the pain and joys of life. As we celebrate a wonderful time of year, be grateful for what He has done. Take the time to thank Him for the abundant blessings He has brought in your life, and most importantly for the birth of Jesus so many years ago. We pray and hope that you have a joyous Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful 2010 striving to be like our Lord.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Blessed New Year!
Craig, Amanda & Jackson Dyson
