Final Post

I'm feeling 2012 is the time for a new blog. This blog has served us well to update friends and families on our adoption and in general our life. I will always cherish it.

To continue to follow along you can go to  http://hannahandjimmy.blogspot.com/

Ethiopian Christmas: Melkam Genna

January 7th is Ethiopian Christmas. This year we celebrated a day later with a terrific feast prepared by Jimmy with some great friends. I am no expert on the history or celebration of Ethiopian Christmas but here are a few tidbits:

- Christmas is a major holiday in Ethiopia where more than half of the population is Orthodox Christian - The celebrations occur January 7, the Feast of the Epiphany, instead of December 25
- Christmas in Ethiopia is called 'Genna'
- To say "Merry Christmas" in Ethiopia you would say, "Melkam Genna"
- For more information click herehttp://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga4.htm

Our menu included Beef Tibs, Dora Wat, Shiro Wat, Injera (we did buy the Injera) and Tej. All of these were first recipes for Jimmy except for the Dora Wat and all were DELICIOUS!

Friends we have made from our church were here to help celebrate. We had 11 adults and 11 children- it was crazy, in a great fun way. We are so blessed to have these folks in our lives!

Sarah Bess set and decorated the table by herself and came up with this idea- a crystal glass that was my grandmothers, with almonds at the bottom and leaves cut from the yard. I was pretty impressed!

This picture is actually from today but had to add it. Gabre's hair is finally long enough to put in some little 'puffs'. OK- so it's not quite long enough, but I still thought it was cute. Jimmy thinks I made her look like she has horns, but SB is voting with me on the cuteness! Davis, just laughed.

Happy 2012! My 'One' Word

Many folks are sick of doing New Year’s Resolutions. Or maybe love them but want to add a different twist? I love the concept of having one word to represent your hopes and goals for the upcoming year.


My word this year is Be Still. And to those of you counting, I do know that is two words- but as Jimmy said, I have always been an overachiever. Psalm 46:10 has been speaking to me for a while, Be Still. And know that I am God. I tend to go, go and then go some more. Over volunteer. Over Schedule. Over do. And this all leads to being overstressed. I have found time and time again, unless I am still I am missing the opportunity to hear God. He is always here in the present moment, but if I am not then I cannot hear him or grow my relationship with him. So I hope to Be still in order to Move. In order to be present to Him and to this beautiful family I am part of.