We're off!

Isaiah 26:3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

We are officially on our way to Chicago!  The suitcases are packed!  This is epic & nothing short of a miracle...seriously!  We will be flying out of O'Hare tomorrow morning (our 10 yr anniversary!) at 6am to Washington DC. Then we'll go from DC to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia...a 13 1/2hrs. straight flight...for real :) We are scheduled to arrive in Addis on June 8th @ 7:30am their time, which is 8 hrs ahead of our time. So it will be 11:30pm the day before (June 7th) in the US. Quite the time difference :) & this is the day we will meet our son!!!  This is beautifully mind-blowing to me :) 

I have to say that I have never experienced so many different kinds of emotions all at the same time before. I keep telling Cole (poor Cole :) not to be concerned if I randomly start crying...it's not necessarily b/c something is wrong it's just that there are so many emotions & that's just what happens :) Crazy!  The timing on all of this has been wild but God continues to remind me that His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30) & that he keeps those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).  I am so thankful that He continues to put me in these situations that challenge me to do so. I am learning so much about the fact that we can have the gift of peace in the midst of chaos. It's about abiding...about stopping in the midst of it all to acknowledge that He is peace & I am not. That He is in control & I have none. It's about complete surrender &  asking for help & for the Holy Spirit to control my mind. Powerful!  

Last night I had the privilege of filling & packing suitcases with donations (thank you so much if you donated :)

for our baby boy's orphanage. Such a precious experience as The Lord gave me time & an opportunity to pray for the fatherless that will wear & use what's inside :) 

We also recorded a book (stole that idea from someone smarter than me:) for the women taking care of our boy to read to him after we leave. It was a family affair & we even found a way to involve the Kase man! Too fun!

The story was just precious for the occasion :) We also made a family photo album for him...well, I made one & Kenzi made her own :) Her's was promptly made after we got his referral :) too cute!  

Cole's parents & my parents are splitting up the time with taking the kids. We are SO BLESSED by them!  As I was mentally preparing myself for leaving them, I kept hearing God say, "Do you trust me...do you?  Who do you really view as the ultimate provider & protector for your kids?  Because it's me...not grandmas & papas when you are away & not you when you are here...it's always me :)."  It's been an amazing reminder for me!  It has really come down to do I trust Jesus, b/c if I do perfect peace awaits...not anxiety. God is so good!

Well, in just a bit, my handsome hubby & I are going on a hot date & getting some Chicago pizza.  We never miss this opportunity if ever in the Chicago area & I suggest you don't either if you end up in the area too :) 

I hope to be updating daily on here while we are gone.  So many of you have been praying, encouraging, & supporting us...thank you!  We would not be where we are without God working through so many to get us here!!!  This journey is such a testimony to the body of Christ!