First of all, let me just say that I know some of you are getting our updates on Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and private emails. If that is you - I'm sorry for the over-kill. There are a handful of people that are only following our journey in any one of those ways. That, and I'm over-the-top excited to be at this part of the journey. So over-kill is my way of shouting it to the moon how over-joyed I am. ;)
We made it to our hotel around 1:00 am Uganda time. After a shower and getting everything settled, we got a call on Skype from back home. What a sweet welcoming to see our 3 kids back home! I'm so thankful for an internet connection that held long enough for us to see them and talk for a few moments.
Sleep never felt better! As I laid there closing my eyes, I was tempted to not sleep as I was taking in all the sounds of outside. It brought me back to our time in Ethiopia. The wild dogs, the loud music, the chanting. I was trying to figure out if the sounds I was hearing here in Uganda were similar. The music, while not the same as Ethiopian music, was just as loud into all hours of the morning. I loved it!
We awoke this morning and as we were able to finally see this land in daylight .... it took our breath away. Provi's expression was priceless! We haven't even left our hotel yet, and I'm in love! We sat outside with our breakfast .... and yes, some of the most fantastic coffee on the planet. Oh how I love Africa! Aaron and Provi went to scout out the hotel that we'll be at today while I sat savoring my coffee and listening to some Eva Cassady playing overhead. (Thought of you PJ!!) I read a few chapters from Isaiah, and rested in knowing that God's story of redemption has been written all along. The reason we are here is heartbreaking, but His plans of joy and hope are nothing short of amazing. (Maybe even epic.)
Well .... off we go. Today we run errands. Scout out lodging. Meet with the attorney. Find water. (And if Provi gets her way, swim. :) )
Thanks for following along. You earn 3 bonus points if you are following along in every method possible.
Our adoption journey from Ethiopia to Colorado to Uganda and back.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Random, weary travelers.
We are sitting in the Amsterdam Airport. We should be sleeping, but we can't. The woman coming over the loudspeakers speaking Dutch every 2 seconds is a bit distracting. Not to mention it is 8:00 am here, so it's bright and noisy. So really, what else is there to do but blog??
We made it out the door this morning, with only 2 times of having to turn around and run back in due to something I forgot to pack. The third time, upon realizing that I had left the kitchen sink behind, Aaron told me we had to go. :)
It was a hard, sniffly morning. I was sad to say goodbye to the kids, and they were sad as well. So hard. We heard news that the evening was MUCH better and the tears were all gone, so that brings me peace.
God is really amazing. A while back I was out with a friend for coffee. I was going to pay with my card, because I had only $4 cash in my wallet. I told her it needed to stay there b/c our UG Sweetie's visa is exactly $404 dollars, and we have to have the $4 or they won't give change. I knew I'd forget to get 4 more dollar bills if I spent those. Last minute though, I decided to use my precious $4 bills. Fast forward to this morning, and I was hand delivered a special note with a generous gift. And can I just tell you that it was this gift that finally brought me to full tears after saying good-bye to the kids? Aside from the generosity, I was blown away by the fact that she had remembered our conversation .... and there in my hand were 4 dollar bills. I had indeed forgotten to get the cash for this. I love that God had prompted her to give me the $4, and that she obeyed. I have some pretty amazing friends - and one really amazing God.
Onto the flights. 12 hours done, 14 more to go. I have no clue what time zone I'm in. Trying to disperse meds for strep throat, malaria, and sleeping pills at appropriate times is proving to be a bit of a challenge when the time keeps changing on me. We've been served pasta and chicken for late afternoon snack, and an egg sandwich for a midnight snack. Can't wait for the lasagna for breakfast!
Provi is a trooper. She's had 5 minutes of sleep. Maybe it feels like a sleepover, only with less giggling and nonsense. She and I have begun our Harry Potter Movie Marathon. And she and Aaron have played endless hours of Angry Birds. She has been nothing but excited for this trip. She's too young to be anxious like her mother - just pure excitement! Have I told you how happy I am that she had the guts to take this trip with us? She's a pretty cool kid, that Provi-Anne girl.
Hmmm.... oh, I already tweeted it, but I am pretty stoked about my mad packing skills. After hours of shifting things from one suitcase to the next to keep them all under 50 lbs, then stand on the scale repeatedly looking at a number I hadn't seen since I was pregnant (due to holding the bags) and never cared to see again .... I was pretty excited to show up to the airport this morning and see 49#, 49#, 49#, 18# (WHAT?!?!? Yeah, that was our "just in case bag". Just in case we were over, we'd throw it in there. But we didn't have to move a thing!) Oh yeah. Put that on my resume along with garage sale queen!
Well, I think that's enough random weariness now.
Oh, I'm smelly right now. It's that mix b/wn BO and Airplane funk. Mmmmmm. Lovely. I could go to that Perfumes&Cosmetics store that I'm sitting here staring at.
Okay. Off to find some good coffee!
We made it out the door this morning, with only 2 times of having to turn around and run back in due to something I forgot to pack. The third time, upon realizing that I had left the kitchen sink behind, Aaron told me we had to go. :)
It was a hard, sniffly morning. I was sad to say goodbye to the kids, and they were sad as well. So hard. We heard news that the evening was MUCH better and the tears were all gone, so that brings me peace.
God is really amazing. A while back I was out with a friend for coffee. I was going to pay with my card, because I had only $4 cash in my wallet. I told her it needed to stay there b/c our UG Sweetie's visa is exactly $404 dollars, and we have to have the $4 or they won't give change. I knew I'd forget to get 4 more dollar bills if I spent those. Last minute though, I decided to use my precious $4 bills. Fast forward to this morning, and I was hand delivered a special note with a generous gift. And can I just tell you that it was this gift that finally brought me to full tears after saying good-bye to the kids? Aside from the generosity, I was blown away by the fact that she had remembered our conversation .... and there in my hand were 4 dollar bills. I had indeed forgotten to get the cash for this. I love that God had prompted her to give me the $4, and that she obeyed. I have some pretty amazing friends - and one really amazing God.
Onto the flights. 12 hours done, 14 more to go. I have no clue what time zone I'm in. Trying to disperse meds for strep throat, malaria, and sleeping pills at appropriate times is proving to be a bit of a challenge when the time keeps changing on me. We've been served pasta and chicken for late afternoon snack, and an egg sandwich for a midnight snack. Can't wait for the lasagna for breakfast!
Provi is a trooper. She's had 5 minutes of sleep. Maybe it feels like a sleepover, only with less giggling and nonsense. She and I have begun our Harry Potter Movie Marathon. And she and Aaron have played endless hours of Angry Birds. She has been nothing but excited for this trip. She's too young to be anxious like her mother - just pure excitement! Have I told you how happy I am that she had the guts to take this trip with us? She's a pretty cool kid, that Provi-Anne girl.
Hmmm.... oh, I already tweeted it, but I am pretty stoked about my mad packing skills. After hours of shifting things from one suitcase to the next to keep them all under 50 lbs, then stand on the scale repeatedly looking at a number I hadn't seen since I was pregnant (due to holding the bags) and never cared to see again .... I was pretty excited to show up to the airport this morning and see 49#, 49#, 49#, 18# (WHAT?!?!? Yeah, that was our "just in case bag". Just in case we were over, we'd throw it in there. But we didn't have to move a thing!) Oh yeah. Put that on my resume along with garage sale queen!
Well, I think that's enough random weariness now.
Oh, I'm smelly right now. It's that mix b/wn BO and Airplane funk. Mmmmmm. Lovely. I could go to that Perfumes&Cosmetics store that I'm sitting here staring at.
Okay. Off to find some good coffee!
Tomorrow. Wait, today.
Well..... here we go!!!! The moment we have been waiting for is here! We knew 6 months ago that the Ugandan Sweetie on the screen was who we would hope and pray would join our family.
Many speed-bumps later...we're finally ready to board that plane. What we thought would be a trip three weeks ago is coming to fruition..... tomorrow.
Tomorrow we get on that big plane (you know, the red and blue striped thing with 4 wheels that looks like a big Tylenol ;) ). Our 6, yes 6, bags are packed. (And that's packing lightly!) Almost each bag weighs in at 49.5 pounds. We're praying the person that checks us in has a heart when their scale (that is most certainly off) weighs each bag 1 pound over.
Months have gone by of planning and preparing. Painting. Gathering. Storing. Dreaming. Spending. Creating. Wondering. Praying. And here it is! All the planning in the world will not fully prepare us for what is about to come. Our life as a family of 6 is about to change....and this is good. So good. I don't know what the future holds, but I do see God's hand in the past bringing us to the present. So with faith and joy and MUCH anticipation .... we are jumping in!
The fears I have of our cozy family of 6 shifting to 7 ..... they will soon be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
The fears I have of if she will like us .... they will soon be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
The fears I have of how we will work out our finances, our schedules, our attention & affection....they will all be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
There is nothing left to buy. Nothing left to re-arrange. Nothing left to paint. Nothing left to wash. No meals left to cook and freeze. No cleaning left to do. No car seats left to buy. Nothing left to pack (well, except my make-up bag of course!). Nothing left to prepare for.
Tomorrow (wait ...TODAY !!! Oh my goodness!!! TODAY!!! It is 1:00am. I so should be in bed!)
Tomorrow/today we board that big plane with our 6 bags and sit. For a really.long.time. as we make our way to our Ugandan Sweetie.
Pray for us.
Many speed-bumps later...we're finally ready to board that plane. What we thought would be a trip three weeks ago is coming to fruition..... tomorrow.
Tomorrow we get on that big plane (you know, the red and blue striped thing with 4 wheels that looks like a big Tylenol ;) ). Our 6, yes 6, bags are packed. (And that's packing lightly!) Almost each bag weighs in at 49.5 pounds. We're praying the person that checks us in has a heart when their scale (that is most certainly off) weighs each bag 1 pound over.
Months have gone by of planning and preparing. Painting. Gathering. Storing. Dreaming. Spending. Creating. Wondering. Praying. And here it is! All the planning in the world will not fully prepare us for what is about to come. Our life as a family of 6 is about to change....and this is good. So good. I don't know what the future holds, but I do see God's hand in the past bringing us to the present. So with faith and joy and MUCH anticipation .... we are jumping in!
The fears I have of our cozy family of 6 shifting to 7 ..... they will soon be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
The fears I have of if she will like us .... they will soon be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
The fears I have of how we will work out our finances, our schedules, our attention & affection....they will all be replaced with the reality of our Ugandan Sweetie.
There is nothing left to buy. Nothing left to re-arrange. Nothing left to paint. Nothing left to wash. No meals left to cook and freeze. No cleaning left to do. No car seats left to buy. Nothing left to pack (well, except my make-up bag of course!). Nothing left to prepare for.
Tomorrow (wait ...TODAY !!! Oh my goodness!!! TODAY!!! It is 1:00am. I so should be in bed!)
Tomorrow/today we board that big plane with our 6 bags and sit. For a really.long.time. as we make our way to our Ugandan Sweetie.
Pray for us.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Isaiah 14:24
This was the week we were scheduled to leave for Uganda. Due to some circumstances beyond anyone's control, our trip will be delayed. We don't know until when, but we're praying it won't be long.
Many of you have been praying for the details, and for that - we thank you. I've been praying for mountains to move, and miracles to happen .... and of course I've been praying for them to happen the way I want them to.
Well, things aren't happening the way I want them to. It dawned on me that had they, I would be blogging - shouting to the rooftops of God's faithfulness in answering our prayers. So why I would I not proclaim the same thing even when things don't go my way?
In all honesty, I'm heartbroken and confused.
However....
Here I am shouting to the rooftops. GOD IS FAITHFUL !!! He hears our prayers. I still believe He is in control. I still believe He is sovereign. I still believe He IS moving mountains to unite us with our Ugandan Sweetie. I still believe He is in the details. I still believe He loves our Ugandan Sweetie more than I ever can or will. Maybe He's not revealing all the details of how, but He is just the same.
Isaiah 14:24
24The LORD of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand,
I'm thankful and humbled that He's letting me be a part of this story.
Many of you have been praying for the details, and for that - we thank you. I've been praying for mountains to move, and miracles to happen .... and of course I've been praying for them to happen the way I want them to.
Well, things aren't happening the way I want them to. It dawned on me that had they, I would be blogging - shouting to the rooftops of God's faithfulness in answering our prayers. So why I would I not proclaim the same thing even when things don't go my way?
In all honesty, I'm heartbroken and confused.
However....
Here I am shouting to the rooftops. GOD IS FAITHFUL !!! He hears our prayers. I still believe He is in control. I still believe He is sovereign. I still believe He IS moving mountains to unite us with our Ugandan Sweetie. I still believe He is in the details. I still believe He loves our Ugandan Sweetie more than I ever can or will. Maybe He's not revealing all the details of how, but He is just the same.
Isaiah 14:24
24The LORD of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand,
I'm thankful and humbled that He's letting me be a part of this story.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Bring it.
What do the following things have in common:
Washing machine, my hair, new Suburban, lawn mower, and adoption ?
I know ... none of these things are at all like the others, huh?
Answer:
All schemes of the Enemy to try and crush us. Every single one of those things have brought up some major unforeseen expenses. (Of course, we knew the adoption had expenses, but there have been some that weren't planned for that have been thrown into the mix.) It's almost laughable at how he tends to use the same means to distract us whenever we are facing something big. Almost.
As much as I'm dying to tell the funny story here with how my hair turned green (just like Anne in Anne of Green Gables!), or the story from the laundry mat (with pictures and everything), or the conversation with the guy at the car place when they fixed our new car, or the choking/white smoke flooding our entire neighborhood after attempting to mow the lawn .... I just don't have it in me right now. I want to find humor in these things...and probably on some level, I do. But right now it's taking every ounce of strength to tell Satan that HE is the one being crushed, not me ... that God has called us into something that He will not leave us alone in .... that God will provide greater than what the Enemy is trying to steal ... that his discouraging side-shows are not making me wish one single second that we wouldn't be doing what we are doing.
In four days, we are (Lord-willing) boarding a plane to meet the Ugandan Sweetie we've been longing for and praying for. We will be standing before a Judge very soon (Lord willing) asking that He grant us favor to call this child our own. And I am so thankful to be in this journey, no matter how the Enemy tries to knock us down.
Next in line? Plans will be change, details will be missed, and finally - our kids will get sick and I'll feel awful about leaving them. Eden already started it.
Bring it.
Washing machine, my hair, new Suburban, lawn mower, and adoption ?
I know ... none of these things are at all like the others, huh?
Answer:
All schemes of the Enemy to try and crush us. Every single one of those things have brought up some major unforeseen expenses. (Of course, we knew the adoption had expenses, but there have been some that weren't planned for that have been thrown into the mix.) It's almost laughable at how he tends to use the same means to distract us whenever we are facing something big. Almost.
As much as I'm dying to tell the funny story here with how my hair turned green (just like Anne in Anne of Green Gables!), or the story from the laundry mat (with pictures and everything), or the conversation with the guy at the car place when they fixed our new car, or the choking/white smoke flooding our entire neighborhood after attempting to mow the lawn .... I just don't have it in me right now. I want to find humor in these things...and probably on some level, I do. But right now it's taking every ounce of strength to tell Satan that HE is the one being crushed, not me ... that God has called us into something that He will not leave us alone in .... that God will provide greater than what the Enemy is trying to steal ... that his discouraging side-shows are not making me wish one single second that we wouldn't be doing what we are doing.
In four days, we are (Lord-willing) boarding a plane to meet the Ugandan Sweetie we've been longing for and praying for. We will be standing before a Judge very soon (Lord willing) asking that He grant us favor to call this child our own. And I am so thankful to be in this journey, no matter how the Enemy tries to knock us down.
Next in line? Plans will be change, details will be missed, and finally - our kids will get sick and I'll feel awful about leaving them. Eden already started it.
Bring it.