I really should be packing, cleaning, organizing, and preparing to leave in 3 days, but I had to pause and reflect tonight before getting completely caught up in the cyclone that will be the next 2 days... I know that the week God is going to be doing something BIG in my life, like taking me across the ocean to serve and love on orphans and widows AND meeting my son for the first time, that the devil is going to be in full-on, frontal-attack mode, blasting me with doubts, fears, and... sickness. Oh and financial daggers too. I'm braced and protected for the assault, looking for and finding God's gifts everywhere in the midst of the doubts and fears, and I am trying to maintain my health by steering clear of germ-laden places and getting sufficient sleep... Our wallets have taken a few unexpected hits recently in the form of 4 pediatric dental appointments, a flat tire, and a broken washing machine (you know you're adopting when these things start happening... every penny is that much more needed). On the flipside, I have seen God do some pretty awesome stuff in the past week through the hands and feet of others who support and love on us well! Last week, a dear friend of mine painted 2 banners - 1 for the kids at our elementary school to stamp their handprints on to give to the kids at the Chapa Carepoint next week and 1 for the kids at Chapa to stamp their handprints on for me to bring back to the school. The teachers and students were awesome in their collaboration with me on the project and they expressed how thankful THEY were to be able to participate!
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My hubby is away this week so I am flying solo, getting everything ready for me to take overseas and everything ready for our household in my absence here. Months ago, Galen requested to come home 1 night early from this week's meeting in order to say goodbye to me before I leave. I really was not amenable to the idea of not connecting with him before I head to Africa and drawing out our separation to 14 days. His request had to go up the chain of command to the top of his company, but he got it! And with an honest explanation of "I want to see my wife before she leaves on a mission trip to Africa for 10 days." He has been asked many questions since then which have opened doors for him to share his perspective on life as a result. It's not too common of a perspective in corporate America either, so I'm really proud of him and know he's having an influence there (in Las Vegas as I type!)
I do dread my husband's work trips because I love all of us being together, but it does force me to step up my game a bit, and I'm seeing the same in our kids. I think they are sensitive to the fact that BIG things are happening in the next few weeks, and I've seen them truly step up to the plate. I've seen more chores being done in the last 3 days than in the last month. Dishes being washed by hand, laundry being folded, homework done, piano practiced, tucked in bed... all WITHOUT complaining. Some of the things they are saying lately too just stop me in my tracks. They are intuitive and wise and observant and thoughtful beyond what I often give them credit for. I love being able to witness the creativity in their growth and maturation that is so beyond anything I am capable of generating...
I'm so lucky to be their mom. Tonight, I scrapped the Ethiopia prep and we had a special treat out for dinner to Dairy Queen after piano lessons with friends who wanted to wish me well. The kids were in heaven and it was a gift to my heart and spirit to enjoy 1 last fast food dinner out with dear friends!
So, I may have a little sinus congestion but I'm still standing and excited for this adventure to begin. I have little "love gifts" hidden around the house for the kids to find and open each day that I'm away (an idea taken from my husband who did it when he went to Zimbabwe last year and it was a huge hit!) I have done the grocery shopping and meal planning for the week. I have packed a backpack to give to Abraham, lots of gift bags to pass out to the kids, special bags for our sponsored children, paints and the banners, clothes, toiletries, sprays of all kinds, meds, documents, etc. Next it's time for the weighing of the bags, weeding out, and shuffling of items to make weight; And writing the detailed schedules, lists, numbers, etc. for Galen...
Another special "gift" received today were several new pictures of Abraham and another message about our sweet boy!! This past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet a missionary family from Kenya who was here visiting (and whom I stalk online). The wife's comment to me was how thankful they are for everyone's support and encouragement but how blessed they feel that they GET TO BE THE ONES that live there... day in, day out (and I thought in my head: without electricity much of the time, no hot water, bad drinking water, surrounded by poverty and disease), but she said: to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to see miracles happen in ways that we just don't see here. The more I think about her statement, the more it resonates with how I feel about traveling to Africa and adopting Abraham. Others might think: why not Aruba? and aren't you crazy to want a 5th child, let alone one that's 13? But, I see my missionary friend's perspective: we GET TO BE THE ONES... because God chose us for this and we feel SOOOOOOO blessed. It is and it will be "hard," just like living in Kenya is "hard." But they can't wait to get back there and be a part of what God has for them, just like I can't wait to see and experience all that God has in store for us... may we all have that place or that situation or that person where "we get to be the ones"...
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