The Hardest Thing We've Ever Done

(This was written yesterday...I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough last night when we got home to publish it :)

Phillipians 4:4-9 - Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --  think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. 

Currently, we are on the plane ride home from Ethiopia.  It’s a long one…the longest...17 hrs.  Thankfully, I have actually slept some of these beginning hours away, which was much needed.  I have somewhat put writing this post off a bit.  The reality of leaving is really starting to sink in, and my emotions are still raw.  However, God is bigger than all of that, so I am praying that this post will be something beautiful for Him despite myself J.

Yesterday was our last day with Cai.  I should say the last day of the 1^st trip.  The next time we see him, it will be our 1^st day of MANY, and this is so encouraging to us.  We spent the morning running a few errands with him and finishing up some shopping and gifts for family.  We then spent the afternoon back at the guest house playing, packing, and taking naps.  I am so thankful that God blessed me with the ability to enjoy this time instead of just dreading what was to come later.  This was truly of God, and I am so thankful.  It came close to the time that we needed to leave, and we had some precious and last prayer time with him, which was so powerful as we have prayed for so long without touching or meeting him.  I so cherish that we were able to pray over him while holding and/or looking at him.  Thank you, Lord.  In praying for Him, the Lord completely spoke through Cole and comforted us both, as what he prayed was straight from the Lord.  As he led us in covering Cai in prayer, a profound parallel of the gospel to what we were about to do poured out of him…the fact that God knows better than anyone what it is like to give up a son.  I get tears just typing it.  He went on to describe how what Christ went through was so much worse as they were completely separated and he died the most gruesome death to pay for our sins...one He did not deserve.  Through our tears while he was praying, peace began to overwhelm me, as I felt God’s presence.  I felt His spirit of compassion, comfort, and understanding flood into the room and wash over us.  It was a powerful moment that I will never forget.  So thankful for a husband that leads me and how God speaks through him to minister to me.

As I prayed, I focused on the scripture above (Philippians 4:4-9).  God had reminded me of this scripture a few days prior, as I was asking for help in dealing with leaving, and God just constantly reminded me of it.  This has been a scripture that has been so familiar to me for so long, and was probably among the 1^st that I memorized in my adult life.  I remember having it on my mirror in college.  However, as I read it while in Ethiopia, I began to understand it and relate to it on a level I just hadn’t before.  How awesome that God continues to bring scripture to life more and more as we seek Him…even the familiar ones we are apt to just glance over.  Our pastor, Tim Harkness, had also preached on these verses earlier this year, and as I read the scripture the Lord brought back some key things he had taught our church as he broke it down.  I had also just finished the book, 1,000 Gifts.  The Lord has used this book to make me realize the importance and power in thankfulness.  The Lord began to use all of these things while I was reading these verses to show me that thankfulness precedes the peace.  Peace results from the thankfulness.  It’s right there…it’s a promise.  I desperately needed to have my eyes in the right place…on my MIGHTY God and not on the problem of leaving him there and all of my fears surrounding that.  When my eyes are STAYED on Him, my problems just aren’t that big.  As the verses go on, I began to see more.  I needed to take captive my thoughts and deliberately think about the things that were true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  I needed to STAY my mind on these things.  I think pastor Tim described it like this in church…that "negative thoughts are the soil for anxiety and positive/thankful thoughts are the soil for peace."  He went on to discuss that it's ok to think about the tough/sad things, but we just can't stay there.  We have to refocus and STAY our minds on the things of Christ...as the verse says to "practice these things" (Philippians 4:9).  It’s so powerful when you really think about it.  Sure what we’re doing is sad, and I believe the Lord grieves with us, but we just can’t stay in that place.  We have to stay in the place of thankfulness with our eyes on God and thinking about those things he tells us too (Philipians 4:8)  Peace WILL follow.

I have also been feeling God warning me not to make an idol out of Micai for these next few months.  He knows me well of course.  Making idols is what I know how to do, and I sadly do it often and well at times.  I believe He is challenging me as I have been growing in this, to not do it with our son.  It’s so hard, but I am going after it!  I would appreciate specific prayers in this if it comes to mind J. 

After our sweet time of prayer over him, it was time to do the hardest thing we have ever done.  Drive back to the orphanage one last time on this trip, and give our son up to those taking care of Him at the orphanage and wholeheartedly believing and trusting God as Cai’s ultimate provider.  He always has been and always will be anyways, right?

I can truly say that peace followed this, and believe me there were tears as we walked away, was a peace that I haven’t experienced before either.  Amazing sweet peace.  What a gift from our Heavenly Father.  He is strength in our weakness.  As we walked out, we dried our tears as many of the other orphans were going to bed and calling to us.  As we hugged, kissed, and told them that we and Jesus loves them, I felt thankfulness come over me, and God reminded me that there is one less orphan in that orphanage.  Our sweet Micai is no longer an orphan.  Seeking to change the world is overwhelming, but changing the world for one…we can do that and are doing that by God’s power and grace. 

I am writing the rest of this post while back in the US but still on our way home.  After the longest flight ever, we were excited to get off that plane and be back in the US and to see our 2 other kiddos.  However, as we stood in one of the many lines to get back into the country, it was so bittersweet…so VERY bittersweet.  Leaving Micai is the hardest thing we have ever done.  But I know my God and have experienced the beauty and refinement he brings from brokenness.  I am so excited to see all that He has to teach us, and I know I won’t have it any other way, because we become more like Him in this process.  How amazing that He would do that. 

So, I will end with some other sweet pics of our precious boy!  We would so appreciate prayers on a speedy process to Embassy.  We have heard this could take anywhere from 1 month – 3 months.  But please also pray that we would completely trust God’s timing.  I cannot possibly put into words just how much all of your prayers and notes of encouragement have meant to us.  Thank you!  God has used the body of Christ in ways that were more than we could ask or imagine to bring this chosen boy home! 

I will also be posting more on our trip soon as there is more to share.   I just wasn’t able to due to time and poor internet connections.  But for now, here he is…..I mean I think I took a million pics of this boy!  I just couldn’t get enough J. 

We busted him out! :)

Psalms 31:14 - But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."

After talking to our agency last night, we found out that we did not have to have the actual court decree to take him out of the orphanage.  The orphanage just needed to talk with our agency to know that we officially passed court.  They officially spoke this morning, so when we went to visit a little after 9, we got to actually take him out of the orphanage for the day!!!  One of the sisters prepared some things we would need while out for the day.  One of the things that we didn’t have that was a MUST was baby wash and lotion.  We had our driver, Ermias (who is awesome), take us to the supermarket.  Another cultural experience for us J, but it went well.  We got him to the guest house and showed him off to some of the others staying here, and then it was right up to our room, so I could scrub that boy down in the sink J.  He is so good natured that he seemed to enjoy it, and he squealed afterwards.  See for yourself... :)

I mean, really...he is too much!!!  He is a squealer when he is excited.  I love it!  Then we were able to dress him in some of the clothes that we brought…so nice!  We fed him, ate lunch, and then he got a little fussy.  This boy hardly fusses, so I knew he was tired since he already ate.  We took him up to our room, and I laid him down in the middle of our bed in a way as similar as I could as they do at the orphanage.  It was so sweet.  He immediately stopped fussing….looked around a bit….sucked his thumb….and went right to sleep.  Precious!  It was one of the most precious moments that the Lord has given me with him.  I could hardly take my eyes off of him, as I studied and took in everything about him.  I tried to do some prayer time while he slept, but I couldn’t get past just saying “Thank You” over and over again to our faithful God J.  You can see why…just check out the view that I had below……

I know!  He melts me J.  I am keeping a journal while here that I am writing to him.  I wrote an entry while he was sleeping…such a beautiful gift the Lord gave me today.  Still smiling!  We then went out with a couple of the other girls doing some missions work here to attempt to purchase some things that are still needed for the guest house…mini fridges, microwaves, and beds.  I have to say this was quite the experience attempting to do these things in Africa J.  We weren’t able to stay the entire time with them, but we did get the fridges purchased.  Definitely an experience…whoa J.  Let’s just say there are no Walmarts here, and they speak Amharic…you can only imagine J.  Yes, we had a translator, but it was still quite the adventure J.  Then it was time to bring him back.  Oh yes, and I forgot to mention that there are no car seats here.  You hold your baby in the back seat.  Yep!  I know it’s not the safest, but we sure did love it J.  I am getting used to going to the orphanage at this point and prepared for what I will see…not used to it but prepared.  It is always so strange and sad to leave him there.  Really, just awkward.  I kind of feel like we are playing “house” with him, but I know God has this, and in no time he will be with us for good J.   So looking forward to tomorrow with him!  What a cool thing to wake up to every day…knowing I get to see this child we have prayed for…for so long!

I cannot forget to mention that yesterday we had the opportunity to do some missions work in the morning with the Ordinary Hero mission team that was (most of them left last night) staying with us.  We traveled to the poorest of poor part of Addis…Korah/Kore.  We debated back and forth on this decision as we gave up some time with Micai, but we decided to do it, and I am glad that we did.  Since the referral, I have prayed for Cai’s mom off and on.  I just cannot imagine what kind of a desperate situation a mother would have to be in to abandon her child.  My heart hurts for her still.  I have no idea what level of poverty he came from, but I know that it could’ve been this kind.  I am still processing this experience, so I honestly do not have the words to describe it yet.  Eye opening … shocking … heartbreaking … unfathomable … these words don’t even begin to scratch the surface of this experience.  I have seen poverty in a 3^rd world country before, but not like this.  In Ethiopia, there is a rainy season and right now is the beginning of it.  We brought tarps to some of the “homes,” and a church to help protect them during this season.  A conversation I had with the pastor of the church we were helping can give you a glimpse of the experience.  In talking with the pastor, I asked him how many people attended church.  He said 100-250 … it just depended if they had food or not.  If they had food, they would come.  If they didn’t, they would go to the dump to get food.  I have no words….

The missions team that stayed at the guest house was such an encouragement to us!  What an amazing experience to be surrounded by such awesome people in the body of Christ at such a time as this.  God blessed us so much by surrounding us with them!  On this team, there were people that had adopted, some starting the process, and some considering.  Some of them were even from Illinois!!!  God just keeps blowing me away with his goodness and control!  Wow!  Here is a pic of the team outside our guest house before they left….

 

We would so appreciate any prayers, as my heart is heavy to leave already.  However, the Lord has been showing me scripture as comfort and reminding me of His GREATNESS.  He is just so good!  Love to you all from Africa!   

Legally Ours!!!

(I wrote this post yesterday but couldn't post until today due to internet connections in Africa...we are sooo blessed in the USA :)

Psalm 113
Praise the LORD.  Praise, O servants of the LORD.  Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and foevermore.  From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.  The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.  Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.  He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. 

We did it!!!  Our court day was today, and we officially passed!  I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to hear the words from the judge that he belonged to us now.  He is officially our son!  Court was a very simple and not complicated process which is nice since loads of paperwork were put into it beforehand.  We continue to visit him in the orphanage every day.  IF we get our court decree (piece of paper saying we passed court) while we are here, we will be able to take him out of the orphanage and back to our guest house for the day!  This would be completely awesome, but we are sincerely trying to give this outcome up to the Lord as He has complete control.  If we get it…yes!  If we don’t, then we will continue to visit at the orphanage, and take that as the Lord telling us that we need to love on and continue to minister precious children at his orphanage.  So many amazing opportunities to love on and minister in ways we never have.  We have a mission team staying at our guest house, and they donated supplies that we were able to take today.  Cole went out and blew bubbles….a HUGE hit with them all!  We will be bringing some on the next trip for sure :).  They also loved the soccer balls :). 

Since we have passed court, I am able to post pictures and reveal his name!!!  So……his name is Micai Addisu Espenschied.  Addisu (pronounced a-dee-sue) was his given name by the police officer that responded to whoever found him.  It means, “the new one.”  Micai (pronounced mick-kie) is short for Micaiah, a prophet from the Old Testament.  I read the name long before we knew we were adopting and thought it was such a cool and ethnic name.  I had no idea what the Lord had in store :).  It stuck with me, and the Lord reminded me of it again, before we found out we were getting a baby boy :).  We will be calling him both Micai and Cai for short.  Cai means, “rejoice.”  Total meaning being, “rejoice in the new one.”  Just felt like this meaning was meant just for him J. 

So, let me officially introduce you to our sweet Micai…..

The last pic is of us after court!  So exciting!  We are just so in love with our sweet Cai guy :)  Hoping to continue to post more pics soon!  Love to you all and thanks for the prayers...we feel them! 

Love At First Sight

Psalm 126:3 - The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 

After a 13 1/2 hour flight, we finally made it!!!  A driver from our agency, Abraham (who we loved!), picked us up from the airport. We then went to our guest house (which is awesome & more on that later). And then, it was finally time for us to meet our baby boy...a day I had prayed & dreamed of for so long :) 

After about a 1/2 hr of crazy bumpy driving and an eye opening experience of a city in a 3rd world country, we pulled up to the orphanage.  We walked in, and I don't think anything could've prepared us for what we saw. Neither of us had ever been to an orphanage.  On top of that, we hadn't slept for about 24 hrs. which probably wasn't a good combo :) as emotions were running higher than the norm. It was very heavy & overwhelming.  Almost indescribable, but I will try.

 So many kids...dressed in any kind of clothing...a boy in a skirt, some kids with no shoes, a boy with food & flies on his face, clothes air drying on the ground, a sever special needs room with prob 20 kids in what seemed like survival mode. Just absolutely heart breaking, & I had to do everything I could not to just stop & weep.  I will say that these sisters (it's a catholic orphanage) are loving on these kids & doing the best they can with what they have...they just don't have much.

We waited in an office-like room with a social worker from our agency, for one of the head sisters, Sister Clementine, to go & get our son.  It was a wait that seemed to take forever :) We had asked our social worker, Elfanesh, to take pictures of us meeting him & I cannot wait to post them as they turned out just precious :) I had no idea what this moment would be like, but it was finally here!  Kind of surreal. Sister Clementine opened the door & brought him over to us. She placed him in my arms & I held him out so that he was looking up at both of us. We both said a very excited,"Hiiiii!!!" With the biggest smiles our faces could possibly make :).  Our sweet baby boy looked right back at us with lots & lots of smiles. It was love at first sight & like a fairy tale...really. I had mentally prepared that it might not be as I know it is not everyone's experience. I just felt like Hod went extra out of His way on this one to make this moment so special. Our world stopped as God lovingly gave us this moment...eyes & smiles met...& all of our lives changed forever.  All of the prayers, waiting, paperwork, tears, & preparation...so very worth it.  The Lord had done such great things for us...that we don't deserve, & we are overflowing with joy that He picked us to be a mommy & daddy to this sweet boy...a boy that he miraculously saved to be a warrior for Jesus in this world. 

We then visited with him that morning & then came back that afternoon. We toured the orphanage, looked at pics of his new family, played, sang Jesus Loves Me, took a thousand pics :), & showed him the book our family had recorded.  I have been praying peace & joy over him. He is exactly that. So very content & happy.  Sister Clementine told us he never cries unless he is hungry or tired.  He never cried once while he was with us...so amazing!  

I am reminded of what beauty God has brought from the ashes of going through miscarriage & infertility for a season.  It's a miraculous beauty that only God can bring. If you are going through this kind of season, please know we serve the God of miracles...the one who parted the Red Sea & died on the cross for our sins & then rose from the dead to save us. He is a healer & is near to the broken-hearted...even if you don't feel Him...please know that He is. He is ALWAYS good & works for the good in ALL things for those that were called according to His purpose. I would encourage you to cling to what you KNOW (Biblical truths) & NOT what you feel. 

From complete brokenness, He brought about revival in us as He drew us closer and conformed us to His image.   From complete brokenness, He blessed me with our Kasen Michael. From complete brokenness, He called us into adoption & now He has ordained a beautiful baby boy in another continent to be our son. No one can write stories as beautiful as our Jesus!  What an exciting privilege to serve a God that blows us away with his love for us. Thank you, Jesus!  

A place to stay & almost there!

Matthew 6:25-34 (condensed :) ~ Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...or tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

We are currently on the plane while I am writing this...exciting!  I haven't written yet on how the Lord miraculously provided a place for us to stay while in Ethiopia.  As I think I mentioned in the previous post, we got word of our court date 11days before it was happening.  We had already planned a family vacation with my parents & had a 6 yr old super excited for that. We decided to go but cut it short, and looking back, I am thankful we did as we got some quality time with the fam before we left. This left us with needing to find a place to stay in Ethiopia while among doing many other things to prepare while on vacation :) The search for finding a guest house (what they commonly call places to stay in Ethiopia) was heavy. We didn't have a lot of time, but in searching for guest houses we had our hearts set on a few as their mission was to give back to orphans, women, & children. We wholeheartedly wanted to support this...amazing what these people are doing!  However, the doors kept shutting as they had no availability.  I remember saying to Cole, "if God is shutting the doors on this, then He has to have something great."  Earlier when Cole & I discussed coming over to Ethiopia, we envisioned serving while over here...looking around to see where we could come alongside what God was already doing & help.  We even dreamed of maybe finding something where we could even come back on a regular basis to serve, and how cool that could be for our family to come back together to do someday. Whether it was an international FCA deal or something else...it didn't matter, but we were stirred by the vision :).  

Well, God is so much bigger than we will ever know while here on earth!  A consistent prayer of mine is that He would get bigger & bigger to us :) Through a variety of ordained circumstances, I ended up asking a friend who had adopted from Ethiopia in the past for a recommendation on places to stay. She then asked others & got back to me & The Lord began to reveal what He had :) 

There is a ministry called Ordinary Hero. If you haven't heard about it, you need to check it out at ordinaryhero.org.  About 2 yrs ago, I learned of this ministry as a church in Morton was kicking off their orphan ministry and the main speaker for the kick off was the founder of this organization, Kelly Putty. The Lord used her to open my eyes & challenge me. We were in the beginning stages of the adoption process & I remember thinking that all I could really do was pray for this child that God had, which is powerful, but I wanted to do more, and I couldn't...fervently pray & wait is what we could do. However, Kelly mentioned that night that this was the position that she was in when waiting for her child. But God opened her eyes to the need for ministry to the orphans, widows, & needy in her own neighborhood. I was convicted. We had been living in the inner-city as God had called us to, but we weren't digging into ministry like we knew we should be. I knew God was calling us to change, & so we did.  That summer we began a 5-day club in our back yard. This summer will be our 3rd one. Other fruit resulted from this as we now do an outreach at Christmas & are borrowing the Youth for Christ van to take kids to church every Sunday and taking advantage of discipleship opportunities that God is showing us. All God...not us. He opened the flood gates, & it has been a privilege to be a part of it!  

Well...this friend got back to me on places to stay & mentioned that another friend had said that Ordinary Hero was opening a new guest house, & we should check it out. I was sooo excited but cautious!  I mean this would be a dream!!!  I emailed Kelly to inquire about staying there or if it wasn't done yet to just serve as well. Well, we are doing both!!!  Go God!!!  The life center/guest house is not officially done yet but everything for us to stay there is provided!  However, they happen to need our help serving by shopping for decorations to put up inside...seriously!!!  They will provide a driver & money & we do the shopping!  How cool is that???  And  I just happen to love to shop & decorate!  There may also be opportunities for us to serve in helping with some outreaches that their team will be doing too!  Yessss!  Thank you for doing more than we could ever ask or imagine, Jesus!  I cannot wait to see all that He has for us unfold once we get there!  

God used this to remind us of a lesson we have learned before. However, we clearly needed a refresher. Honestly, we wasted some time worrying about a place to stay. God had it...the whole time. Pretty sure we failed the test, but lesson learned, & we are thankful!  It's easy to say something & read scripture about it & quite another to actually wholeheartedly believe it & OBEY!  Thank you, Jesus, for your constant patience with us & for using trying times to lovingly conform us into your image. How amazing that you would do that!  

On a side note, I have an exciting post coming up as my awesome hubby went above & beyond to make our 10 yr anniversary (today...June 7th) extra special (as if it already wasn't:) Love him!!!

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!

Court date!!!!

Psalm 18:30-32 - As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.  For who is God besides the LORD?  And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  

In the parking lot of TJ Maxx, I received information that would change our lives...a court date!!!  We have been praying & waiting soooo long for this.  It was one of those moments when our world stopped...I gave the kids some snacks in the back seat, called my hubby, & remained in AWE of our GREAT God...all in the driver's seat of our minivan :) I cannot possibly express the emotions surrounding this!   

Now we've been told that you usually have a month's notice before your court date. Sometimes 2 weeks. Well, how about 11 days!!!  We have a June 10th court date!!!  Not even kidding!  We have been praying for God's perfect timing...this is it :)  In the midst of the chaos of life & ministry, He says go & that he'll cover it all.  We are cutting short a vacation with my parents & are getting on a plane at 6am on June 7th...the date of our 10 year wedding anniversary!!! Seriously, Jesus,...how cool are you?!?!?  I mean it's already amazing & special, but we serve a God who loves details. He knew how precious this would be to me & it doesn't get more special than that (still smiling).  I love it when something happens, & you know God ordained it special just for you :) Such a privilege to serve a God that continues to blow me away with a love I don't deserve!  

So here's what we know...

1.  We will meet our son on June 8th...overwhelmingly amazing on so many levels & that's an understatement :)

2.  We are leaving June 7th & will return on June 16th (father's day...again with the timing...how cool?!?!?)

3.  Our court date is June 10th

Typically, after your court date you return in about 2 months, so we will most likely have him home in August-September!

4.  God is always good & always in control no matter what...NO MATTER WHAT :)

So for now, our flight is booked, but we are still nailing down a place to stay. Jesus keeps reminding me of His perfection.  He is perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)...His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30) Thankful for a perfect God :). May we relentlessly pursue Him as we relentlessly pursue our son!