Picker Point

From Ashes to Africa

Posted by Mary Beth on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
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Yesterday I got my copy of From Ashes to Africa in the mail. I read it in three hours yesterday evening and then begged Casey to start reading it so we could talk about it.

I wish that I could say that Josh and Amy Bottomly were my own very good friends. I’ve been following their blog for several months and we’ve exchanged a few e-mails about the Ethiopian orphanage sponsorship, but I have never met them. After reading their book, however, I feel like we could be good friends. We seem to have a lot in common, like Casey’s childhood infatuation with Michael Jordan and my time as a high school English teacher.

From Ashes to Africa is the story of Josh and Amy’s journey to adoption in Ethiopia. It is an incredible story of transformation and hope. Josh and Amy speak openly and honestly about struggles in their marriage and faith and also about God’s redemption of their “ashes.” And the beautiful treat at the end is the account of their first moments with their son, Silas.

Even though our journeys have been a bit different, I identified with so much of what Josh and Amy shared. I understood their path from a spark of interest in Ethiopia to a burning passion to reach out to the people there.

I also appreciated their struggle to communicate their excitement about their adoption with others. We have also had some interesting reactions to our adoption news. Like Amy, I have had people “encourage” me by telling me that maybe one day I will be pregnant again. It baffles me every time. When I was pregnant with Caleb, no one felt the need to encourage me that I would have other children. Right now, my heart is pregnant with my little Ethiopian boy, and, until he is in my arms, I want no other. He is not a second choice, consolation prize; he is the desire of my heart.

I am so thankful that Josh and Amy have shared their story, and I encourage everyone who is interested in adoption or Ethiopia, or just loves a good story to take the time to read it. At the very least, you should visit their blog so you can see pictures of their beautiful little Silas.

Just a quick update on our own adoption journey: This week marks the end of our third month of waiting, and last week I found out that we are #18 on the waiting list. We’re still hoping for a referral this summer.

Posted in: Adoption, Literature.