Get Aaron Ivey Merch NOW!

updates / blogs

Day Five in Bullet Points

Day 5 complete.

I don’t know how many days I’ll actually be numbering, but it just feels appropriate at this point.  My boy has been home in our house for 5 days now.  It’s 7:17pm as I write this blog.  Jamie is sitting next to me on her computer, and we’re both thinking about how completely TIRED we are right now!  I can’t tell you how many times in the past few days we’ve forgotten what day of the week it is; it’s like the past week has just been a gigantic blur.  A very good blur.

All the kids are in bed right now.  Cayden & Deacon are in their bunks, Story is asleep in her bed, and Amos is in our bed since he’s been asking every day if he can sleep with Papa.  The past few days we have laughed together louder than ever before.  We have seen life through a new lense, (Amos’ lense) since everything is completely new.  We’ve also cried together.  As Amos is struggling to trust us, he’s cried in our arms as we keep whispering, “I love you, Amos.  I always will.”

It’s like the past week we’ve been in a time warp.  Everything is happening so fast.  Every normal everyday experience seems new.  And emotions are amplified.  There’s really too much to tell in a few blogs or even my personal journal.  I need to write a book.  Yeah, I think I’m going to do that.

Truth is, adoption is beautiful.  No question about it.  And since this is our third adoption, we’ll be the first to tell you that adoption is also excruciatingly hard.  The process is hard…the waiting is hard…and when the one you’ve been waiting for finally arrives…it’s beautiful, but also hard.  Transitioning to new surroundings and being taken away from everything “comfortable” is just difficult for a four year old to process.  But, he’s learning…and so are we.  Most of all, I’ve learned that trusting and following the heart of God is the most beautifully risky thing you’ll ever do.  It requires much risk, much sacrifice…but it is the most satisfying and fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.  In many ways, we know that this story we’ve been a part of is just beginning…and we are thrilled that God chose us to be a part of such a magnificent story.

Here’s a bit of Day 5 in bullet points:

• Turns out Haitians LOVE mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and baked salmon.
• Amos & Jamie played Legos for hours.
• Amos agrees that everything is better with ketchup. And I do mean everything.
• He prayed tonight.  “God thank you for everyone to have a good sleep.”  Perfect.
• Today’s “Boom Boom Pow” play count:  12 times.  And I promise you this…Amos can freaking dance.
• Today was better than yesterday.  2 steps forward, 1 set back.  Yesterday was a step back.  Today was 2 steps forward.
• Deacon feels left out.  He’s the middle kid.  I played baseball for hours with him… He’s gotta know he’s just as important as the rest of the crew.
• If I leave the house, Amos is convinced I’m leaving and not coming back.  That means I work during nap-time and bed-time for now.  First priority: Amos has to trust that I’m his dad…and dad’s don’t ever leave their boys.
• A complete stranger stopped me in HEB tonight as I was perusing the produce section, hoping to buy more mangoes.  With an east Texas accent, he loudly he exclaimed, “Holy s*** I saw you on the local news!!  Well hell, I don’t know if I should ask for your autograph or hug your neck!”  A simple high-five did the trick.
• Pulling into the driveway with four kids jumping and screaming, “Papa! Papa!” will make you instantly turn into a softy.
• Amos is much more affectionate towards me than I remember him being in Haiti.  He continues to ask, “Papa, do you love me?”
• Our pursuit of our children from Haiti is not as important as how we parent them after they arrive home.  Although the story seems to have an ending, we realize it’s JUST begun.  As a father, I feel the burden of instilling into ALL of my children core values of trust, sacrifice, loving God and others, and being men/women that live out the redemption and hope they’ve experienced in Christ.
• Today I sense a more intense urgency to advocate for orphans & children in poverty, to listen to the Spirit as I write songs that my church needs to sing, and to be a better father and husband to the family God has entrusted me with.
• Tomorrow might be 1 step back in his adjustment to his new surroundings, but I’m prepared for it.  Love, patience, and stability.  That’s what he needs, and that’s what we are focused on giving.

Risk everything.  It’s worth it.

BETWEEN THE BEAUTY & CHAOS

Available now!

The new full-length album centers around God’s faithfulness and beauty, and the church's response to injustice, poverty, and orphans. The 10 song album reflects a heart for the Kingdom of God here and now, between the beauty and the chaos.

Buy Now! iTunes / Online Store / Amazon

connect / booking

Aaron Ivey on Twitter
Aaron Ivey on Facebook
Aaron Ivey on Email

–

Booking Information
booking@aaronivey.com