How is it possible that we leave tomorrow already? So much waiting and then such whirlwind that brought us here. The night before we journey to meet our boys. Our clothes are packed, toys and treats for the boys, foreign currency, bible and prayer shawl, passports, dreams and hopes, all packed up and ready to go. Of course, the devil has been working overtime to steal our joy and our health and our sanity. But I am finally seeing glimpses of the husband I knew 2 weeks ago before he got sick with this spirit-draining virus. We have crazy amounts of water in our basement, but we have friends and family pitching in to take care of it. Work is ridiculous with Tulip Time on the way, but we have a fabulously competent employee (practically family) and loads of folks willing to catch and fold shirts for the next two weeks. Our community continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus for us and I know it is intercession that is getting us on that plane tomorrow. I am reminded of something we used to say at the end of every Gathering at Hope with Ben Patterson. We would stand and raise our Bibles in the air:
"This is my Bible. It is the Word of God. It is my Sword and Shield. I have what it says I have.
I am what it says I am. Devil! I am armed! And you should consider me dangerous!"
The devil will never win when God's people are gathered in His name!
We have had a few phone calls in the last week to prepare us for meeting the boys for the first time. There are 3 scenarios that our week could look like as far as how much time we get and we won't know until we get there. 1. We get a few hours in the morning and an hour in the evening. 2. We get to spend most of the day with them in and around the orphanage, 3. They bring the boys to us at the hotel and we hang out there and around the community. The 3rd option is very rare, the 2nd option is what I thought would be happening and the 1st option is the most likely. We will take what we can get and make the most of it, of course. They emphasized being flexible during the week with schedules. It is possible that we could miss time with the boys in order to do some adoption related paperwork or meeting. I do not know how much updating I can do but will do my best whenever we can find an internet connection.
I continue to pray for our hearts to begin to know each other as family. It has been my prayer for so long that I barely know what else to pray and I am not sure what else I can do to prepare to meet the boys. I can't prepare for that moment when I hear little footsteps coming down the hallway. When I see their faces. When I get a tentative smile and that dimple shows up. When I see a tear, hear a cry, a giggle. I can't prepare. I only know it will be a holy moment, no matter what it looks like, so all I can do is prepare to join God in what he is doing.
"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted me this petition which I asked of Him." I Samuel 11:27
Our thoughts are with you guys today as you are likely in the company of your boys and the long awaited prayer becomes reality and relationship. "The Lord sets the barren woman in her home the happy mother of children". So faithful to work beyond our own abilities is He and the giver of every good thing. We wish we were flies on the wall of your day so we could get in a good cry. Full. Very full of JOY for you John and Neen. Surreal. Hope the boys are healthy, including John, for your visit. Though there's something to be said for an opportunity to love and comfort right away if they're not feeling their best. Yes, flexibiltiy. Parent love is going to look so good on the two of you. Have a fabulous day. Joe and AmyJo
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