Today marks 14 years since your dad and I said, "We do"!! There is no better time to share our humble beginnings with you...to remember, reflect upon, and honor the powerful Arm of God. Like He delivered the Israelites from Egypt, Sweet Girl, He delivered our marriage from imminent destruction and is bringing us into our "Promised Land" of sorts.
Our relationship began as a rebound (for both of us) and quickly snowballed into something clearly out of even our control. We were young...VERY young...and (we thought) in love. After just three months of weekends-only whirlwind dating (Dad was stationed in California at the time), he unromantically threw a holey shirt at my head while rummaging nervously through his backpack, eventually procuring a beautiful ring and proposing to me. The stuff all good fairytales are made of.
Looking back now, I think we were in love with the idea of escape. He from the barracks, me from the breakdown of my once ideal nuclear family. Either way, we rushed everything. Not even a full year later, we spontaneously talked ourselves into eloping through a local drive-thru wedding chapel: Viva Las Vegas.
Yes.
Our holy matrimony was officiated in my teal Pontiac Sunfire convertible under a canopy of obnoxious cherubim claiming our marriage "was made under Heaven".
Ironically, I can now confirm that although it certainly doesn't sound like it (or even seem like it at the time), God was present that night. Our marriage was made under Heaven, whether we recognized it or not.
The house we built on sand immediately started sinking. We fought like children. He did not like his privacy infringed upon and I didn't like being left alone. He was fiercely independent and I was equally insecure and needy. Our paradigm threatened to implode for the first two years, but it wasn't until after the birth of Joshua and during my pregnancy with Isaac that it finally did. While away on an assignment, your dad found a new escape emotionally. I happened upon it six months later while paying our cellphone bill. Obviously, I was devastated...but I wasn't completely shocked. I had suspected this had/would happen so many times before...we were such a mess.
Biblically, I was released from my commitment to him. Rationally, I should walk away. Emotionally, I wanted to. He wasn't due to come home until another week or so, giving me time to digest what had happened and to devise an exit plan.
God had a different plan for that time, however.
One night, while laying wide awake in bed, He made it perfectly clear to me through His Word that I needed to stay. I needed to recognize my own wicked heart and forgive your dad for his the way Jesus had forgiven me.
Bleh.
That's all I could think when I considered obeying. It wasn't fair...he didn't deserve it (either did you, Heidi). I have been such a good wife; I don't deserve this (pride comes before a fall, Heidi...no one is righteous, not even one...you deserve death and hell but I have given you life so you would live it for My glory).
Ugh. There is no fighting with God. It's a losing battle. He always wins. Thank God ;)
With every fiber of my being dying to the thought, His Holy Spirit filled the huge vacancy in my broken heart and literally led me into a much deeper, unconditional love for your dad. A love like His. In the moment when I assumed I'd want to toss his clothes and belongings on the front lawn, I wanted to find a babysitter and prepare a romantic dinner on our patio to welcome him home. And the moment he arrived, when I assumed he was done with me, he actually wanted to be welcomed...his heart was wide open to mine!! It truly felt like some sort of weird out-of-body experience. It wasn't us, but it was us. I hated him, but I couldn't wait to love him through this. He was over me, but he couldn't wait to work with me. For the first time ever, I was experiencing God's Word...His Promises...not just reading about them. It was incredible.
Five more years of rocking and rolling continued until we both finally found our groove in Him. After experiencing God's Mercy, Dad grew closer and closer to Him and more and more into a man after God's own heart. After witnessing the complete transformation in your dad, I grew more and more confident in my belief that God does what He says He can...a lesson He continues to review in my own heart. Sure...I have always wanted to adopt, but it wasn't until your dad felt prompted to love the fatherless that we began praying as a family for you. He is the man of my dreams. Truly. Selfless, gentle, loving, generous, hilarious.... I will never be able to thank God enough for bringing us through that fire; for refining our hearts the way He did.
Now, here we are...celebrating FOURTEEN years together...on a mission for Him to deliver you...together...in Ukraine!! He has begun writing yet another chapter. This time, Dad and I are one, already navigating the ups and downs of raising a teenager. I have to confess, the last week or so hasn't been all flowers and rainbows. In fact, just days ago I could completely relate to Moses in Numbers 11:11-15, asking the Lord, "why have You brought me this trouble? ...I can't take care of all [this] by myself. This is too much work for me!" But just like He answered Moses (and me once before so many years ago), He clearly answered me again: "You won't have to take care of [this] alone...Is there a limit to the Lord's power? Now you will see whether or not My words come true" (v.17, 23).
No, Lord. There is no limit to Your Power. Or Your Love.
And with You, there will be no limit to ours. Thank you!!
Love you, Lucy...ALWAYS.
(Happy Anniversary, Handsome!!! <3)
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Worth the Risk
On the train-ride to Dnepropetrovsk, R explained that we would be residing in a relatively safe area, but openly shared the gruesome reality for many of the other orphanages and families caught in the middle of this tangled web of war between Ukraine and Russia only 100 miles East. Bodies of unidentified soldiers are being piled into the center of a sports stadium, only long enough for physicians to extract blood samples before they're burned to make way for more dead. The wounded are being transported to our city for medical aid and relief before being sent back to the front lines. Hundreds of orphaned children from Lugansk have been moved to another region due to the constant bombings that still hold their teachers and directors captive, without water, power, or food, in the basement of a crumbling building.
And, unfortunately, three prospective families currently wait and pray in Kiev for God to pave a way to bring these officials, and the children they've been waiting for, out of all of this to safety. Otherwise, they may all be returning home incomplete.
Our family back home watches the news headlines nervously (understandably so).... I'm tempted to get a bit anxious myself when I read reports and dwell on the lack of distance between us and this crisis or witness the very protests reported on with my own eyes. The gravity of the situation we're so near to is never lost on us. It is nothing short of a miracle that we are safe and this whole process is protected thus far. Who are we that the Ukrainian government would even make time to review our case in court while they're dealing with such turmoil? And yet, we receive news this morning that we may be able to officiate your adoption even quicker than usual?! What a story God continues to write for you!!!
Months before we were called on to travel, I had been reading and journaling in the Book of Esther. Just this morning, when I was battling a touch of fear, the Lord reminded me of a drawing I made over Chapter 4:13-14 of Ukraine, half colored yellow and the other half blue, with the words, "Worth the Risk" above it. I went back to this chapter to read what it said:
"Mordecai sent this answer back to Esther, 'Do not imagine that just because you are in the king’s palace you will be any safer than all the rest of the Jews. 14 The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this.'”
His Spirit used this to remind me again that our lives are always fragile. Even when we imagine we're safe or our surroundings seem safe, there is no guarantee that we are truly any further from death than those in the center of this crisis. And the fact is, if we were to run home now, He would still accomplish what He brought us here to do. The only difference would be that eventually we'll die anyway, but without experiencing this incredible opportunity to be used by Him!!
And, unfortunately, three prospective families currently wait and pray in Kiev for God to pave a way to bring these officials, and the children they've been waiting for, out of all of this to safety. Otherwise, they may all be returning home incomplete.
Our family back home watches the news headlines nervously (understandably so).... I'm tempted to get a bit anxious myself when I read reports and dwell on the lack of distance between us and this crisis or witness the very protests reported on with my own eyes. The gravity of the situation we're so near to is never lost on us. It is nothing short of a miracle that we are safe and this whole process is protected thus far. Who are we that the Ukrainian government would even make time to review our case in court while they're dealing with such turmoil? And yet, we receive news this morning that we may be able to officiate your adoption even quicker than usual?! What a story God continues to write for you!!!
Months before we were called on to travel, I had been reading and journaling in the Book of Esther. Just this morning, when I was battling a touch of fear, the Lord reminded me of a drawing I made over Chapter 4:13-14 of Ukraine, half colored yellow and the other half blue, with the words, "Worth the Risk" above it. I went back to this chapter to read what it said:
"Mordecai sent this answer back to Esther, 'Do not imagine that just because you are in the king’s palace you will be any safer than all the rest of the Jews. 14 The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this.'”
His Spirit used this to remind me again that our lives are always fragile. Even when we imagine we're safe or our surroundings seem safe, there is no guarantee that we are truly any further from death than those in the center of this crisis. And the fact is, if we were to run home now, He would still accomplish what He brought us here to do. The only difference would be that eventually we'll die anyway, but without experiencing this incredible opportunity to be used by Him!!
No thanks.
I don't want to live my life "safely", nor do I want this for your dad, you, or your brothers. I've prayed for us all to live with a reckless abandon to His will...a RaDiCaL obedience that strengthens our faith in a God that's real...to develop an arsenal of personal accounts of all the miracles He can still do! I'm now recognizing that this obviously requires a little scary in exchange for a LOT of deliverance and a beautiful daughter--but it is still totally worth the risk. ;)
Love you so much <3
Mom
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Dear ... LUCY, from Dad
Where do I even begin? Where do I even begin to begin? This is going to be long... 17 years ago, marriage wasn't even something I would have considered. But then I connected with the girl who would be instrumental in making me who I am today. 12 years ago, I would never have considered having children. But then two boys arrived on the scene that would (eventually) forever change my outlook on life. Three years ago, adopting would never have been something I would have considered. Sure, I appeased your mom and entertained her crazy notions of fostering. But fostering wasn't permanent, right? Eventually the kids would go back to their parents or wherever it was they came from. AND, the state would pay us for it! As for the little coincidental hints that I saw around from time to time about fostering and adopting, they were just that: coincidences. But then, in the midst of interviews and online certification, something strange happened: I began to feel like I should care for the fatherless. What had your mom's prayers done?! What were these feelings that were beginning to stir within my heart? "Fine," I said, "I'll pray (for real this time) about it." And boy, did I. I prayed that God would change her heart, and take away this bizarre desire to raise someone else's troubled kids. I prayed that she would be content with our family the way it was. But I guess she had the direct line, because instead of all that happening, my heart began to change. I started to really feel for the children who never had a dad to throw a ball back and forth or sit and and ponder childish things with; those boys who don't have solid, fatherly advice to listen to (or rebel from, as I did); those girls who don't have the example in their lives of how a man should treat them. Against all of the instincts and feelings (read: walls) I had perviously built, I agreed to take another's child into our home and be an influence that would hopefully stick with them for the rest of their lives. But I still had reservations: your mom wanted a baby, and I really didn't want to change diapers again. This time, I had the direct line: we got the call about adopting an older child from Ukraine. Ukraine - where did that come from? By this time I had learned better than to pray against your mom, so I simply prayed that His will would be made clear, and that I would be able to accept whatever He had in store for us. Then we read your bio online, and the statistics of what happens to children your age once they leave the orphanages. Your mom and I knew instantly that this was what God had called us to do. Sending money once a month to some organization that provides things wasn't going to cut it. He was preparing my heart to receive a daughter!
I felt so confident that I had heard from God, and the amazing thing was that I was 100% on board. I didn't have the reservations that I would have had just months prior. Your age didn't bother me. Your language didn't bother me. Your gender didn't bother me. I knew without a doubt that my daughter was in Ukraine, just waiting for us. And I had to do everything I could, as fast as I could, to bring you home. And so began the year-long paperwork process. I am convinced the Enemy had plans to divert us from this path; to throw obstacle after obstacle in our way and have us give up in frustration. After all, how would the military even permit me to travel to a former Soviet-bloc nation for over a month? How would we raise the thirty-thousand dollars to cover the expense? How would this be at all possible? But we put one foot in front of the other in faith, and our Lord never stopped speaking to us, right when we needed to hear it. When paperwork was delayed, He said "persevere" (He literally said it, though both your mom's and my quiet times the next morning). When Russia annexed Crimea and portions of eastern Ukraine, He moved the hearts of men so that my command had no objections to my traveling. When we said we have no more funds, He said, "I will provide." And when we were told to wait, He moved things in just the right order and at just the right time, to grow us both closer to Him and closer to each other. Then we got the call that our appointment with the Ukrainian State Department of Adoption and Children's Rights (SDA) was made, and the REAL miracles became apparent.
The week before we left for Ukraine was the most stressful week I've ever lived through. It tops the birth of Josh by a long shot. At least with that, I felt like I had a measure of control, however small it was. After all, it was me driving to the emergency room with our expertly-packed overnight bag. And, I even paid attention to those breathing exercises- what was that called, again? That week also tops the C-section that bore Isaac. Scheduled weeks in advance so that the doc wouldn't miss any important golf dates no doubt, that was something that was absolutely under control (!). But to receive an email on a holiday Monday saying nonchalantly that we had our SDA appointment nine days later? I am sure I ran around the house in circles for at least three hours that day. And yet during those nine days, God's hand was so apparent in every single facet. The church, along with numerous generous donations, ensured we had funding to pay for the rest of the process. My command approved an absurd amount of leave days for me to travel to a country in crisis. Down to every last gift for the orphanage employees, to every prayer warrior that is bringing us before God, He is moving His heavenly chess pieces to complete a move that is far beyond human comprehension. I am overwhelmed with emotion as I think of all the hurdles that have been not only jumped over, but completely thrown aside. And after a year of repeated paperwork and frustration, of waiting and dreaming, of internet-only communication and google (mis)translate, here we are!
Seeing you in person yesterday was amazing. There you were, the daughter God hand-picked for us. The girl that undoubtedly has known so much loss and emptiness is now about to be ours to care for and teach. The older and younger sister to our boys that will be able to teach and learn and laugh (and fight) with them. God has deemed us worthy to entrust you to our care. Is He sure about this?? Will I be able to demonstrate how a gentleman should treat you? Will I be able to instill in you everything you've missed in the time that you weren't with us? Will I be able to protect you from the world? The answer to all these questions is "NO!" I can't do that all for you any more than I can teach your brothers to be gentlemen, or instill in them anything sound! Not by myself, anyway. But I trust that God is faithful to carry out the plans He set in motion. I trust that He will guide me in the terrifying truth that I have a teenaged daughter. He has shown Himself to me in so many ways the last few months, and I am grateful. I am awed at how my heart has changed from even one year ago. I am on my way to truly becoming His servant, and it isn't bondage. It is freedom! I am so excited to see what He has in store for us, and that "us" includes you! I look forward to every moment we all share together: Mom and I, brothers and sister, Mom and daughter, and especially father and daughter. Welcome to the family, Lucy Elizabeth. I love you!
I felt so confident that I had heard from God, and the amazing thing was that I was 100% on board. I didn't have the reservations that I would have had just months prior. Your age didn't bother me. Your language didn't bother me. Your gender didn't bother me. I knew without a doubt that my daughter was in Ukraine, just waiting for us. And I had to do everything I could, as fast as I could, to bring you home. And so began the year-long paperwork process. I am convinced the Enemy had plans to divert us from this path; to throw obstacle after obstacle in our way and have us give up in frustration. After all, how would the military even permit me to travel to a former Soviet-bloc nation for over a month? How would we raise the thirty-thousand dollars to cover the expense? How would this be at all possible? But we put one foot in front of the other in faith, and our Lord never stopped speaking to us, right when we needed to hear it. When paperwork was delayed, He said "persevere" (He literally said it, though both your mom's and my quiet times the next morning). When Russia annexed Crimea and portions of eastern Ukraine, He moved the hearts of men so that my command had no objections to my traveling. When we said we have no more funds, He said, "I will provide." And when we were told to wait, He moved things in just the right order and at just the right time, to grow us both closer to Him and closer to each other. Then we got the call that our appointment with the Ukrainian State Department of Adoption and Children's Rights (SDA) was made, and the REAL miracles became apparent.
The week before we left for Ukraine was the most stressful week I've ever lived through. It tops the birth of Josh by a long shot. At least with that, I felt like I had a measure of control, however small it was. After all, it was me driving to the emergency room with our expertly-packed overnight bag. And, I even paid attention to those breathing exercises- what was that called, again? That week also tops the C-section that bore Isaac. Scheduled weeks in advance so that the doc wouldn't miss any important golf dates no doubt, that was something that was absolutely under control (!). But to receive an email on a holiday Monday saying nonchalantly that we had our SDA appointment nine days later? I am sure I ran around the house in circles for at least three hours that day. And yet during those nine days, God's hand was so apparent in every single facet. The church, along with numerous generous donations, ensured we had funding to pay for the rest of the process. My command approved an absurd amount of leave days for me to travel to a country in crisis. Down to every last gift for the orphanage employees, to every prayer warrior that is bringing us before God, He is moving His heavenly chess pieces to complete a move that is far beyond human comprehension. I am overwhelmed with emotion as I think of all the hurdles that have been not only jumped over, but completely thrown aside. And after a year of repeated paperwork and frustration, of waiting and dreaming, of internet-only communication and google (mis)translate, here we are!
Seeing you in person yesterday was amazing. There you were, the daughter God hand-picked for us. The girl that undoubtedly has known so much loss and emptiness is now about to be ours to care for and teach. The older and younger sister to our boys that will be able to teach and learn and laugh (and fight) with them. God has deemed us worthy to entrust you to our care. Is He sure about this?? Will I be able to demonstrate how a gentleman should treat you? Will I be able to instill in you everything you've missed in the time that you weren't with us? Will I be able to protect you from the world? The answer to all these questions is "NO!" I can't do that all for you any more than I can teach your brothers to be gentlemen, or instill in them anything sound! Not by myself, anyway. But I trust that God is faithful to carry out the plans He set in motion. I trust that He will guide me in the terrifying truth that I have a teenaged daughter. He has shown Himself to me in so many ways the last few months, and I am grateful. I am awed at how my heart has changed from even one year ago. I am on my way to truly becoming His servant, and it isn't bondage. It is freedom! I am so excited to see what He has in store for us, and that "us" includes you! I look forward to every moment we all share together: Mom and I, brothers and sister, Mom and daughter, and especially father and daughter. Welcome to the family, Lucy Elizabeth. I love you!
Friday, January 30, 2015
Love and Promises at First Sight
Today was a taste of the classic "hurry up and wait" rhythm that the Musick's warned us about (among so many other things ;p). It began the way I imagined our first day meeting you would, with not a wink of sleep due to all of the racing thoughts and excitement in the air. But when our scheduled 6:30am pickup time rolled around, it was like a monsoon of events swept us from our apartment steps in Kiev and plopped us in the heart of Dnipropetrovsk. There was no time to adjust, to take in any differences between the two cities, or to imagine all of the places you'd been. We continued our mad dash in a taxi (driven no less haphazardly than a monsoon) to pick up a key to our apartment from a man waiting on a street corner (legit? Sure), then to our apartment to drop off luggage with no time to waste (or waste, if you catch my drift). Due to the crisis in Ukraine, we were told that it was best that we get moving on our paperwork as soon as possible--they take this phrase very literally. Praise God for our bladders of steel.
Finally (or so we thought at the time), it was on to your orphanage!! We were so disoriented, yet so overcome with excitement at finally seeing you in only minutes!! Just pulling up to the front gate of your house made both Dad's and my eyes well up with tears. The emotions were overwhelming. It really was as if we were having a baby all over again and the doctor just came in to tell us it was time. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of a let down when we entered the house to discover you still had an hour or so left at school. But still. Seeing everything we've seen in the backdrop of your pictures...walking where you'd been walking all of this time that we've waited for each other...it was all so surreal. I'm pretty sure it was one of the first, if not only times the entire Rose family was found speechless. Brothers included.
The officials soon arrived to go over your documents, so we went ahead and sat down at the table with them, nodding our heads like we had any clue what was being said, feigning patience. I heard Tatyana gasp and saw her looking behind me. When I turned my head, there you were!!! Not just a still picture, but you! Looking at me from around the corner. I know it sounds cliche, but it really felt like time stopped for a moment...then suddenly fast-forwarded bringing us crashing into each other's arms for the best first hug with my new daughter-to-be ever.
As if that alone didn't bring me to tears, you didn't let go...even when I started to pull away slightly, you just held on tighter.
Yes. It was at that moment I realized God answered yet ANOTHER prayer that we had been continuosly petitioning Him for from the very beginning: that He would prepare your heart to receive us warmly <3 My favorite answer thus far.
It killed us that we had to whisk away again, saying goodbye only one hour later. But we are SO overjoyed that God slowed the whole day down for that one small moment; to let us bask in all His glory and the wonder that He made in you. We have no doubt that our family was purposed for you before you were even formed in your mother's womb (Jer. 29:11).
This whole journey is behind the reason why, when asked to come up with your new American name, Dad decided that your middle name would be Elizabeth, meaning "God's promise". God promised you He takes care of orphans; He promised us that He would take care of you. You, now Lucy Elizabeth Rose, are a living breathing testimony that the God of yesterday is the same God today. His promises are still valid. His Words always true.
Finally (or so we thought at the time), it was on to your orphanage!! We were so disoriented, yet so overcome with excitement at finally seeing you in only minutes!! Just pulling up to the front gate of your house made both Dad's and my eyes well up with tears. The emotions were overwhelming. It really was as if we were having a baby all over again and the doctor just came in to tell us it was time. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of a let down when we entered the house to discover you still had an hour or so left at school. But still. Seeing everything we've seen in the backdrop of your pictures...walking where you'd been walking all of this time that we've waited for each other...it was all so surreal. I'm pretty sure it was one of the first, if not only times the entire Rose family was found speechless. Brothers included.
The officials soon arrived to go over your documents, so we went ahead and sat down at the table with them, nodding our heads like we had any clue what was being said, feigning patience. I heard Tatyana gasp and saw her looking behind me. When I turned my head, there you were!!! Not just a still picture, but you! Looking at me from around the corner. I know it sounds cliche, but it really felt like time stopped for a moment...then suddenly fast-forwarded bringing us crashing into each other's arms for the best first hug with my new daughter-to-be ever.
As if that alone didn't bring me to tears, you didn't let go...even when I started to pull away slightly, you just held on tighter.
Yes. It was at that moment I realized God answered yet ANOTHER prayer that we had been continuosly petitioning Him for from the very beginning: that He would prepare your heart to receive us warmly <3 My favorite answer thus far.
It killed us that we had to whisk away again, saying goodbye only one hour later. But we are SO overjoyed that God slowed the whole day down for that one small moment; to let us bask in all His glory and the wonder that He made in you. We have no doubt that our family was purposed for you before you were even formed in your mother's womb (Jer. 29:11).
This whole journey is behind the reason why, when asked to come up with your new American name, Dad decided that your middle name would be Elizabeth, meaning "God's promise". God promised you He takes care of orphans; He promised us that He would take care of you. You, now Lucy Elizabeth Rose, are a living breathing testimony that the God of yesterday is the same God today. His promises are still valid. His Words always true.
<3 We love you, Lucy Lu <3
Thursday, January 29, 2015
The Work of His Hands
Thank You, Lord, for answering Isaac's prayer to bring an orphan to our doorstep,
for leading Jenny to call and ask us to pray for them as they considered adopting a teen from Ukraine,
for guiding the Houser family to our email address and sharing Luda with us,
for the garage sales and the T-shirts and the hearts that were stirred on our behalf that funded our beginning and inspired our faith in what You could do,
Thank You for Your perfect timing,
for the hiccups that kept us from traveling before we were meant to,
for providing us the opportunity to visit with family we haven't seen in awhile,
for lending us extra time to arrive at this more prepared place in our hearts for what is about to come,
Thank You for our prayer warriors,
for answering their petitions to carry us through the lengthy period of waiting
and through the rushed week of gearing up to go,
for those families who have already been and who took time out of their busy schedules to advise and prepare us so we're able to go "better",
Thank You for providing the perfect school for Luda,
for leading us to a group of educators and peers who see this adoption from Your Perspective as well,
who are willing to go the extra mile just so our daughter will feel instantly welcomed and loved,
and, most importantly, who will guide her alongside of us to come to know You more deeply
Thank You, Father God, for working in my parents' hearts,
for giving them a desire to be more intimately involved,
for arranging their visit when You did, before we even knew our date, so we would have them to pray with us and see us off,
for allowing them to see Your Hand in all of this that we've been witnessing all along,
Thank You for the church,
for the body of people who came together on our behalf to provide all that remained at the EXACT time we needed it,
for fortifying our faith through all of their faithfulness and words of encouragement,
for their support and prayers covering us even now,
and for using even the hearts of believing strangers to speak life into us.
Thank You for showing us Your Sovereignty over the hearts of all men,
whether they reciprocate Your love or not, You've proven that You can still use them while orchestrating Your will,
to support and facilitate the work You're doing with us,
Thank You, Jesus, for all of the miracles,
for Tony's clearance to travel to a country in crisis...a clearance that generally requires at least 30 days to process yet extraordinarily took only 4,
for the gathering of everything we needed in such a small amount of time,
for safely flying out of America despite record-breaking winter storms on our tail,
for safe accommodations while residing in a war-ridden part of the world,
Thank You for this amazing experience,
for allowing us all to live outside of our comfort zone these next few weeks, that we may have a greater understanding of how Luda will initially feel when in America,
for this opportunity to show our boys a world outside of their norm
and for their uncanny ability to acclimate to it all so quickly,
Thank You for carrying us through our first appointment,
for the completeness of Luda's records and for her astounding good health,
for her intake picture from just four years ago that revealed such a pain and loss in her eyes,
as we are even more confident in the healing You're Presence in her life has so obviously accomplished already,
Thank You for Luda,
for her wide-open heart that seems more-than-ready and excited to receive us,
for her story that You'll undoubtedly use for Your glory, to draw more hearts to You,
and for choosing our family and so many others to play a part in it!!!
Most importantly, thank You for You!
for loving us and using us despite the messes we are,
for traversing oceans to give us a daughter and our daughter a family,
and for the hearts that will hopefully be touched to rescue more orphans and to be rescued by You.
<3
for leading Jenny to call and ask us to pray for them as they considered adopting a teen from Ukraine,
for guiding the Houser family to our email address and sharing Luda with us,
for the garage sales and the T-shirts and the hearts that were stirred on our behalf that funded our beginning and inspired our faith in what You could do,
Thank You for Your perfect timing,
for the hiccups that kept us from traveling before we were meant to,
for providing us the opportunity to visit with family we haven't seen in awhile,
for lending us extra time to arrive at this more prepared place in our hearts for what is about to come,
Thank You for our prayer warriors,
for answering their petitions to carry us through the lengthy period of waiting
and through the rushed week of gearing up to go,
for those families who have already been and who took time out of their busy schedules to advise and prepare us so we're able to go "better",
Thank You for providing the perfect school for Luda,
for leading us to a group of educators and peers who see this adoption from Your Perspective as well,
who are willing to go the extra mile just so our daughter will feel instantly welcomed and loved,
and, most importantly, who will guide her alongside of us to come to know You more deeply
Thank You, Father God, for working in my parents' hearts,
for giving them a desire to be more intimately involved,
for arranging their visit when You did, before we even knew our date, so we would have them to pray with us and see us off,
for allowing them to see Your Hand in all of this that we've been witnessing all along,
Thank You for the church,
for the body of people who came together on our behalf to provide all that remained at the EXACT time we needed it,
for fortifying our faith through all of their faithfulness and words of encouragement,
for their support and prayers covering us even now,
and for using even the hearts of believing strangers to speak life into us.
Thank You for showing us Your Sovereignty over the hearts of all men,
whether they reciprocate Your love or not, You've proven that You can still use them while orchestrating Your will,
to support and facilitate the work You're doing with us,
Thank You, Jesus, for all of the miracles,
for Tony's clearance to travel to a country in crisis...a clearance that generally requires at least 30 days to process yet extraordinarily took only 4,
for the gathering of everything we needed in such a small amount of time,
for safely flying out of America despite record-breaking winter storms on our tail,
for safe accommodations while residing in a war-ridden part of the world,
Thank You for this amazing experience,
for allowing us all to live outside of our comfort zone these next few weeks, that we may have a greater understanding of how Luda will initially feel when in America,
for this opportunity to show our boys a world outside of their norm
and for their uncanny ability to acclimate to it all so quickly,
Thank You for carrying us through our first appointment,
for the completeness of Luda's records and for her astounding good health,
for her intake picture from just four years ago that revealed such a pain and loss in her eyes,
as we are even more confident in the healing You're Presence in her life has so obviously accomplished already,
Thank You for Luda,
for her wide-open heart that seems more-than-ready and excited to receive us,
for her story that You'll undoubtedly use for Your glory, to draw more hearts to You,
and for choosing our family and so many others to play a part in it!!!
Most importantly, thank You for You!
for loving us and using us despite the messes we are,
for traversing oceans to give us a daughter and our daughter a family,
and for the hearts that will hopefully be touched to rescue more orphans and to be rescued by You.
<3
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Son Showers
"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." -Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
These few words, spoken over me this week by a complete stranger in a Target parking lot, perfectly sum up this past week. Upon receiving the news that we finally had a court date through now, we have been immeasurably blessed and kept by Him. We were still short half of the funds necessary to travel. We didn't yet have full approval from the military to travel abroad. Record-breaking winter storms were on the heels of our travel dates. We didn't even have the warm clothing needed to survive your Ukrainian winter! By Friday, we had more than we could ask for or imagine. On Sunday, God of the Angel Armies staved off the less-than-favorable winter conditions until just hours after we flew safely out of New York. Hence, today, I write from Kiev, Ukraine :) ...With a full belly, warm clothes, and my feet securely on the ground ;) All with perfect timing to make our very first court appearance tomorrow morning! God is, indeed, faithful; His love unfailing. It really is one thing to know this and a totally different thing to experience it.
As we drove the five hours East to the Dallas airport, it was as if the Holy Spirit wanted to be sure we soaked up His "Shine"--through Misty Edward's album, Relentless, He sang what felt like a soundtrack written specifically for our journey...His graciousness nearly tangible. All four of us were showered in the Lord's joyful countenance as we reflected back on every miracle that happened in just these past few days and on all of the people God placed along the way each day (and for every step) to encourage us and to cover us in prayer. He has answered every single request, Luda, leaving no stone unturned. It is truly magnificent to witness. Our faith has been strengthened. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." -Phil. 1:6
The Lord is fervently pursuing you, precious girl; He loves you and is undoubtedly good to you. This continues to prove true again and again. But this time, we've come to recognize His chase for our own hearts as well. We count ourselves so humbled and blessed to be even the smallest part in His big plan for you. I pray we all grow deeper in Him through this unforgettable adventure <3
I can't wait to hug you!!! FINALLY!!
I love you already,
Mom
Misty Edwards-Relentless Album Lyrics
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
0 to Ukraine in 345,600 Seconds
Wowzer. Your Grammy always reminds me that our God is never early, never late, but always EXACTLY on time. Today's news gave this a whole new meaning for us. We FINALLY received our travel date!!! We are bringing you home, Luda...in just FOUR more days!?!?!
You can imagine how totally insane we were this morning (more so than we are on any normal given day...this is a troubling thought when you come to really know us).
Throughout the day, however, all of the pieces that have fallen so perfectly into place, so worthy of His praise, have risen to the surface despite our panic. Just last week we didn't have any peace with how to handle your schooling or which group of friends to connect you with. We were being attacked on all sides personally and within our marriage. We didn't have a clue what to expect when you came home, where we were going to stay when in Ukraine, or what on earth we truly needed to pack. We didn't even have enough warm clothes or suitcases to travel, period!
Today, we have all of that and more :)
Ignited by one phone conversation with one of your favorite families, the Walle's, an explosion of answered prayers practically knocked us off our feet. That connection from one int'l adoptive mom to another last Sunday bolstered my confidence in the comprehensive support He has surrounded us with. The interview we had with the very first school we looked into for you confirmed this even further, as the teachers were amazing and supportive and reflected what we know His heart is for you. Not to mention, the thoughtful friend who wrote you, Jasmine, will be there...AND she and your other new friends-to-be have already been making special preparations for your arrival, as well as special gifts for us to bring to give to your old friends upon your departure!!
My thoughtful Sista-from-Anutha-Mista heard our need for a quick marital refresher and gave her evening off to keep your brothers overnight, allowing Dad and I to step back, take a deep breath, and prepare mentally and emotionally for the adventure to come. And this is where the perfect timing became so obvious.... Literally minutes before the boys returned, and after we felt all conversations were had, the call about your court date came! It was as if God used our time and prayer together to wrap up some last minute details and seal the deal, to let us know we were officially ready.
And the miracles just keep coming together...
Thanks to a few well-traveled peeps, we were able to compile a legitimate list of things we needed to pack before all of this and just in time for us to use in the midst of our whirlwind of shopping and borrowing today. Because of so many selfless friends (one who dropped everything to be my brain this afternoon), we even managed to gather everything on that list in just three hours, three stores, and Facebook (props to the power of social media)!
I can't lie. There are so many things we are still tempted to worry and wonder about. But the reality is clear: God's really got this. We surrender all <3
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. -Is. 30:21 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Ro. 8:28 (NLT)
I can't wait to hug you--finally!!
Love,
Mom
You can imagine how totally insane we were this morning (more so than we are on any normal given day...this is a troubling thought when you come to really know us).
Throughout the day, however, all of the pieces that have fallen so perfectly into place, so worthy of His praise, have risen to the surface despite our panic. Just last week we didn't have any peace with how to handle your schooling or which group of friends to connect you with. We were being attacked on all sides personally and within our marriage. We didn't have a clue what to expect when you came home, where we were going to stay when in Ukraine, or what on earth we truly needed to pack. We didn't even have enough warm clothes or suitcases to travel, period!
Today, we have all of that and more :)
Ignited by one phone conversation with one of your favorite families, the Walle's, an explosion of answered prayers practically knocked us off our feet. That connection from one int'l adoptive mom to another last Sunday bolstered my confidence in the comprehensive support He has surrounded us with. The interview we had with the very first school we looked into for you confirmed this even further, as the teachers were amazing and supportive and reflected what we know His heart is for you. Not to mention, the thoughtful friend who wrote you, Jasmine, will be there...AND she and your other new friends-to-be have already been making special preparations for your arrival, as well as special gifts for us to bring to give to your old friends upon your departure!!
My thoughtful Sista-from-Anutha-Mista heard our need for a quick marital refresher and gave her evening off to keep your brothers overnight, allowing Dad and I to step back, take a deep breath, and prepare mentally and emotionally for the adventure to come. And this is where the perfect timing became so obvious.... Literally minutes before the boys returned, and after we felt all conversations were had, the call about your court date came! It was as if God used our time and prayer together to wrap up some last minute details and seal the deal, to let us know we were officially ready.
And the miracles just keep coming together...
Thanks to a few well-traveled peeps, we were able to compile a legitimate list of things we needed to pack before all of this and just in time for us to use in the midst of our whirlwind of shopping and borrowing today. Because of so many selfless friends (one who dropped everything to be my brain this afternoon), we even managed to gather everything on that list in just three hours, three stores, and Facebook (props to the power of social media)!
I can't lie. There are so many things we are still tempted to worry and wonder about. But the reality is clear: God's really got this. We surrender all <3
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. -Is. 30:21 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Ro. 8:28 (NLT)
I can't wait to hug you--finally!!
Love,
Mom
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