Buckle your seat belts...another ride on the adoption roller coaster! Since we now know it is not going to happen, I will share the details which I did not reveal on my previous post. Odesco, Mercy and Jenkins were supposed to fly in to JFK ( NYC) on Monday, Nov. 6th...of course this was all dependent on obtaining the very elusive passport signatures which we did not get in time. Today is the Liberian Thanksgiving holiday so offices were not open today.
We have now been informed that the doctor who was going to fly our children to the east coast will now be escorting another child. Patty has decided to selflessly extend her stay in Liberia for another week (that woman is amazing!!) and our children may in fact travel to the States with her IF the passports get signed by early next week. So, although it is not definate and there is a possibility of another escort, it looks like we may be gearing up for a cross country trip in the "Bus" (our 12 passenger van) to Chicago after all.
I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that today my heart has struggled to value God's perspective in this. I know in my head that He is always working things for our good and His glory but right now, I am battling to count it all joy as we digest this latest change in plans. I admit,sometimes this rollercoaster ride has become a bit dizzying and I'm ready to get off :) But, obviously, it is not God's timing yet and I need to value His perfect plan and perspective in all of this. I need to embrace this change in plans as His good for all involved...in the grand scheme of things, this is so insignificant...I want my heart to be joyfully submitted not just resigned and begrudgingly obedient.I can honestly say that just the act of writing this down has done my heart a world of good( I type, save and come back later to finish so this has taken place over the course of a few hours)... Confession is cleansing to the soul and reminding myself of truth is life giving. Okay,I guess I'm ready to get buckled in and take another ride ...I find such comfort in knowing He is interceding for me and wants to aid me in trusting and obeying.
Last night, I had an Odesco dream...it was so real I told my dear hubby I just wanted to fall back asleep to get to know him a bit more. We were at church standing in "our" row during worship(we are such creatures of habit!) and our little boy had his sweaty little hand in mine...he was looking up at me with those big brown eyes and that adorable button nose...and I asked him a very poignant question(he,he)..."Do you have to go potty?"...he nodded his cute little head and off we went...What an odd dream...but in it I knew him like my other sons and there was such a joyful love in my heart for this sweet little man whose picture I have been staring at for 7+ months.
I did want to share something very special that happened yesterday. Last week in B2's writing class, his teacher, a close friend of mine, felt compelled by the Lord to have the children write "welcome home" letters to Jenkins, Mercy and Odesco...when the assignment was given, the assumption was that the kids would be here by yesterday's class. Fast forward to yesterday...the children all worked so hard to write these heartfelt letters using the writing techniques they had learned(using the IEW program for all you homeschooling moms!)...they decorated the pages with stickers and pictures of themselves etc...so special. Then, several of the students volunteered to read them....how precious to hear these 8-11 year olds expressing their desire to meet and befriend our Liberian children. Three of the children in the class were also adopted and each one of them put a little sentence in about their adoption so that our kids would not feel alone in their experience. It was one of those moments I will never forget...the letters are now in display folders for Mercy and Odesco to treasure when they get home...what fun it will be to read those letters again in 5 years as we then recount all the special friendships the Lord will undoubtedly provide for our kids.
thought you might like to see B'2s letter to his little brother...
Dear Odesco,
I am so thankful that you are finally here. Our church family has eagerly prayed for you over the past several months. I hope you enjoy this new country and learn to love our family. Welcome, my new brother!!
Let me tell you about myself. I am 9 years old and have brown hair, and dark brown eyes just like you! I enjoy building with Legos, reading books, and playing baseball. I also delight in playing with B3 and B4. I look forward to playing baseball and creating Duplo houses and cars with you too. I hope you enjoy soccer because I certainly do! We are so joyful that you and Mercy are becoming a part of our family. I can’t wait to get to know you little brother!!
With much love and thankfulness, your brother
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