NOVEMBER 7, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 1)
Early this morning, Brodie left to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, his last trip solo. When he returns, we will officially be a family of ten! In spite of the stressors that have surrounded our week, we remain excited, thankful, and ready to begin life with our newest family members. We are praying for continued peace.
It seems that we've been under spiritual attack which isn't too surprising. It almost feels like one hiccup after the next really. From Noble's visa being delayed or denied (yet to be determined), to the Chicken Pox outbreak at the orphanage (ALL of the kids are infected!), to problems with passports, and other various calamities (most of which are way too personal to blurt out on the Internet), we practically expected what happened this morning.
5:00 am, as Brodie drove away to the airport, an email came through informing us that his flight had been canceled! With all of the storms going on (literally and spiritually), this isn't shocking. Anyway, it has all worked out and he has a new flight where he can still meet up with his traveling buddy in Chicago, but nonetheless the morning has been eventful...a sure sign of all that's yet to come.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED...Check!
ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES...Got it!
THIS WILL NOT BE EASY...OK. We're still in.
(Goodbye hugs are always bitter sweet.)
[UPDATE: We just received news that Noble's visa has been issued!!! Praise God for this wonderful news!! I fully expected further delays, so this is a pleasant surprise. :)]
And so the journey begins...We anticipate a thirteen day trip for Brodie with his return on November 19th. However, we hold that date loosely, knowing all too well that setbacks may come. Nonetheless, it seems that he will, in fact, be returning with both children now since the visa issue has worked out. What a gift to know this so soon!
Thank you, Lord, for what you have done, what you will do, and for how faithful you always are!
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
NOVEMBER 8, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 2)
Brodie is still flying...He is on his way from Brussels to Kinshasa right now. Due to their late night arrival, we are definitely praying a bit harder than normal for safety, yet releasing all to God. He is in control over all and nothing can befall us apart from His loving and sovereign will. We trust that.
Today we're picking up my sister's family at the airport and welcoming home Joy!! We are so excited about this!!
The church organized meals for us while Brodie is away. Thank you so much to each of you who has reached out to us in support during this time.
Brodie will go straight to his lodging tonight and then go to the orphanage first thing in the morning to get the kids. They will be with him the rest of their stay. We're eager to hear the status of their chicken pox and praying for their little bodies and souls.
Thank you, Lord, for keeping us in the shelter of your wing as we take this journey one moment at a time.
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."
Psalm 36:7
[UPDATE: Brodie arrived safely at the hotel...Praising God!! Now I'm off to pick up my sister and her family at the airport as we welcome home Joy!!]
NOVEMBER 9, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 3)
Last night we met Joy! It was so wonderful to experience a new family united by God's unique design. What a privilege to walk through this adoption journey together with my special sister.
I can't believe she has a three year old again! :)
Today, Brodie will visit the orphanage for the last time. He will have his last goodbye with our children and tomorrow they will officially be united for always.
Even though today has been trying in many ways, the sweetness of knowing that we are enduring all of this for God's purposes helps. We aren't looking for the easiest road, but rather the most fruitful. May we bear good fruit as a result of this refining and share the love of God with others in the process.
Thank you for the trials today, Lord. May they reap a bountiful harvest for you!
(Last goodbye)
NOVEMBER 10, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 4)
Without electricity or Internet, communication has been sparse, but it's a good thing to focus solely on the Lord. I redirect and redirect my focus back to Him. He is what all of this is about after all.
Today, after much anticipation, I finally have a few texts!! The children were brought to the hotel and the adjustment is going well, though it was harder for little Noble at first than Brodie had anticipated. He is doing fine now. :) In their first nap all together, India fell asleep holding her Daddy's face. He'll be wrapped around her pinkie in no time!
I'm so proud of Brodie. He continually amazes me with his resilience, optimism, and great attitude! I'm grateful for this special time he's been given to bond with our children, to be alone with God. What a gift!
"Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25
NOVEMBER 11, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 5)
Text of the day from Brodie:
"As I sit here thinking this is hard...I open my Bible to Mark and it hits me hard...Mark 15...Jesus did that for me...I can do this...compared to what my heavenly Father did for me, what I am doing for my children is small."
I couldn't say anything better than that today.
Praising God for the work He is doing in my husband's heart as he lives out the gospel in the DRC.
NOVEMBER 13, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 7)
Today makes seven days in a row without any real contact with Brodie. On his last trip we were able to Skype multiple times each day which was a HUGE blessing! We went into this trip thinking we would have the same luxury (truly what it is), but not so. There has been no Internet access at all, so we have only been able to text briefly. This has definitely been a disappointment, but we have come to accept it at this point, which is making it easier. Brodie says he has a "second wind".
Among other stressors, I saw a rat in my kitchen yesterday morning! Oh yes...It had been leaving evidence for three days prior and finally there it was in all it's glory. Eek! Praise the Lord for some dear husband friends who came to help me set traps. Needless to say, this may have been the last thing I needed to worry about, but I almost have to laugh at this point. I'm definitely not telling Brodie until he gets home because this is for sure the last thing he needs to think about as well. It's practically comic relief at this point.
(Setting rat traps...sometimes you've just gotta laugh or you'll cry.)
Anyway, from the limited contact Brodie and I have had via text, I know that it has been a difficult road for Brodie and his traveling buddy (another adoptive dad sent by God to walk this journey with Brodie). They have dealt with monsoon rains, extreme heat which keeps them inside their small room all day, no Internet access, on and off electricity, homesickness, maladies with the kids, a constipated baby (poor India), and countless other stressors. Through it all, though, they have been clinging tight to God, holding onto the only true source of hope and sustenance.
As a wife of a man who NEEDS God desperately in order to make it through a day, I rejoice! My heart goes out to Brodie in his difficulties, but I celebrate! What greater gift could God give me than a husband who is clinging to Him? What more joyful news could I receive than that the leader of my home is trusting in Christ for all things?
Thank you, Lord, for carrying us through the trials of the past week, both big and small. Thank you for planning this trip according to your best and perfect design. Thank you for the sorrow that has drawn us closer to you. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us and we can trust in you at ALL times, in ALL things, and no matter what! Amen.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
[UPDATE: Brodie just called!! We talked for a very expensive twelve minutes!! He is doing so much better, praise God! He is learning more about our kids with each day and trusting God to bond them together. He says Noble is "obedient, tidy, and very sensitive". He says India is "happy, social, and friendly". This is a great report and a true encouragement today...Just when I needed it most! They even got to go outside to play. Thanks, God. :)]
NOVEMBER 16, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 10)
Rodents, rodents, and more rodents!!! Just when we thought we were in the clear with our rodent friend in the kitchen (thanks, David, Jon, and Matt!)...last night we found another visitor...UPSTAIRS! It's safe to say I wasn't thrilled about this discovery. So I texted my dear brother-in-law yet again, and over he came at 10:00 pm to help us set more traps.
(More peanut butter, more rat traps...eeeeewww!!)
2:00 am last night, as I lay awake (a normal occurrence this week), I heard the dreaded sound. SNAP! Another rodent down, but to my sorrow, not the last. Oh no...This morning as I woke, ready to rid our home of our entrapped and very uninvited guest, my kids heard scratching from the attic above their room! REALLY??!! So, if God is God over all of nature and creation and creatures, then we know that He is bigger than rats. We know He can make them go away. So, if He chooses not to do that, then there is a reason. It's definitely helping me to trust Him when I feel like I need my husband and that's a good thing. (I keep reminding myself of that!)
I'm deeply thankful and touched by the care my brother-in-law showed to me by coming over, patching holes, vacuuming, climbing in my attic, setting more traps, and doing all the things Brodie would have done if he were here. David showed our family true service unto the Lord by how he joyfully cared for us today and God showed His love and care for us through David. Thank you Davah!!!!
As for Brodie in the DRC, he has been doing much better with a renewed sense of mission. All three families that were there with him are coming home without their children due to unforeseen difficulties with their adoption cases. This has been completely distressing for these families and I know they have been praying together. Even in times as hard as these, we look to God with childlike faith, knowing that He is Lord over all. He can do as He pleases and He is always loving and wise and purposeful.
Today, Brodie got the long awaited exit letter!! Triumph! But as he set out to the airport to potentially change his ticket to fly home tonight, we prayed that if it was God's will for him to stay longer then we would be accepting of that. Sure enough, all flights for today were canceled, all flights for tomorrow are booked, and Sunday (his original departure day) is the soonest flight out. He will fly back to the US with his same friend, the one he has walked this road with, the one who's wife has been my constant email companion and prayer partner, the one who is still waiting for his daughter's visa and will have to return again later for her, his little girl in Congo. This is a hard reality. Adoption is not easy. It is hard. Life is hard, but God is great and God is good and we need to trust Him at ALL times...especially when things don't seem to make sense.
So, four more days until I see my loved ones at the airport (Lord willing), four more days until our new normal begins, four more days of dependence on God that have taught me more about how to do it in good times and bad.
I'm looking up today, through the gloomy skies, knowing that God is bigger than any obstacle we can ever face, knowing that He is with me here and he is with my family members across the world as well, knowing that I can trust Him always.
"I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
NOVEMBER 18, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 12)
I'm waiting to hear that Brodie and the kids have made it on the plane. They arrived at the airport five hours early and have been waiting four. They needed to allow plenty of time to allow for a car accident or broken down vehicle en route to the airport (both of which are regular occurrences when driving in Kinshasa). Fortunately, neither took place, but this definitely got them to the airport EARLY. Better early than late!
Brodie has texted that the airport is 100 degrees (literally) and the kids are getting restless. We are all praying that they will sleep on the first leg of their journey home since it's 10:00 pm in Kinshasa right now.
As I type, here in our home, my loved ones across the globe are embarking upon our story together. They are preparing for a departure and homecoming at once. My children are leaving their birth country, their beginnings. They are entering a new chapter in their precious little lives, prepared by God with love, for good. May He be glorified above all through their stories. May we please Him as we live this out. And, may we cling to Him with each day to come, trusting that He has a perfect plan.
[UPDATE: I just received an email that they are on board...They made it on! Thank you, Lord! Now we pray for safe travels and peace for the children as they spend a long day and a half flying. Here they come......!!!]
"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 121:8
NOVEMBER 19, 2012 (TRIP 2, DAY 13)
This is it! Today is the day. It's not really a finish line, but rather a start. This beginning is what we have been waiting for. This homecoming is what we've prepared for. This story is what God has been writing. We're eager, peaceful, nervous, excited, calm, and elated all at once. It's a jumble of emotions. For me, I'm not the ceremonial type. I like mellow...So the whole airport extravaganza is a bit on the uncomfortable side for me, and yet, it feels right.
I've seen so many other people have this moment, this beginning, and it's kind of strange that this time it's us. And at the same time...not. It's odd to feel so many things combined, but the prevailing feeling over all is God's peace; the kind of peace that overshadows fear; the kind of peace that feels secure even when emotions are running wild. How grateful I am for His peace. Where would I be without it?
I received a few texts from Brodie in the middle of the night (from Brussels). Sadly, the kids are sick. Noble has a fever, India is so congested she can't lay down. Poor babies! I cannot wait to take excellent care of these little ones. I can't wait to love them and bathe them and nurture them and give them what mommies give best. I'm dependent upon the Lord to love my children through me and I become more dependent with each one He blesses me to care for in His name.
So, here we go...........The time has come. DRC Trip #2 is finally over and life together is ready to start. Who knows what's in store for us? God does...and that's all I need to know.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
