My wonderful Chris usually does all the blogging…not exactly sure why, except maybe because I am one of the slowest typers on the planet, and I really enjoy reading his take on this amazing adventure! With our departure getting closer (14 days!) , my heart is simply overflowing with a million different emotions I have to share.
I am so grateful that God has chosen us for this journey. He didn’t have to…but his Word does promise that when we, “Delight in Him He will give us the desires of our hearts.” It has certainly been our desire to have more children and we have had such a burden for orphans with special needs. God knew this and in His perfect timing made it very clear that international adoption was what He wanted us to do. We have never had to question or wonder,”Is this what we are supposed to do?”(Doesn’t mean I haven’t wondered, “Lord, are You sure I won’t end up in the looney bin being mother to 7!”)
I have been amazed at how much this adoption process has been similar to pregnany, weight gain and all! I really had no idea that it would make me such an emotional wreck!!! That I would dream of my boys as I did each one of my own children…what is their smile like …what will it be like the first time they touch my face and call me mama. Meeting them is all I can think about some days. At times the waiting has seemed more than I can bear!
I have also loved watching my children develop a heart for orphans. When we first told our oldest son, Blake, about what God was calling us to do he was unsure that we really should expand our family. Now he, along with the other kids, talks about how he could see us adopting again sometime. He has reminded me several times that we have room in our van for three more!!!! (yikes)
God has blessed us with such awesome kids!! They love the Lord and it is a blessing to this mom’s heart to see my two teenage children desire to walk with Lord the way they do. Makes me think of one of my favorite verses, ” I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth.” 3 Jn 1:4. Which brings me to my next emotion….the thought of leaving them for 5-6 wks. Arghh!! The thought suffocates me. I know they will be fine, Nana is an amazing woman. (and I have been praying fervently that all will go well for them while we are away and am trusting the Lord will take care of them, just as He has met our other needs.) It’s just that I will miss them terribly. They are the joy of my life. But I know that this sacrifice must be made in order to save two lives. Our older kids understand this but Eli has no clue that we are even leaving!
Well that’s about it for now..there is more I could say, but it has already taken me an hour to type this. (not kidding!) I thank God for all He has done and all he will continue to do!!