An Open Door... the Next Chapter!

This post is about praising God.  About an answer to years of prayers & supplication, questions, pondering, considering and sometimes what felt a little like a weary drought.  But, God is faithful no matter what.

This week, God opened the door.  A door that we've been tugging on, sometimes giving it a good ole stiff shoulder, a door we've tried to pry open ourselves and have attempted to budge often.  But, every time- the answer was a resounding NO.  For the past 5 1/2 years, we've been 'road warriors' as I call it- both of us commuting 30 miles each way everyday. As a family, we spend our days 60 miles apart, meeting in the middle each night before getting up the next morning to do it all again.

We have 4 towns in our lives... two different towns to work in, one to live in and another to attend church in.  We go through gas & tires like toilet paper... quite literally it seems.  And, our cars live on a treadmill of insanity.  The poor cars.  My poor Dodge that looks like a play room, dining room, office, mail sorting center and laundry service transport vehicle.  Because well... that's what it is.

And, then there's our sanity.  During the school year, we leave the house at 6:35am through snow, slush, rain, moonlight, fog, sleet, wind, more slush, blizzards, white-out blizzards and who knows whatever other weather that gets thrown our way.  Add in over zealous North Dakota bound truck drivers, people who don't believe in headlights, the deer and people who think they can pass a school bus + three semis + four cars all at once...its a lot sometimes.  Go God for protecting us & keeping us safe on the roads.  Seriously, I don't take it for granted.

Plus, the insanity of never being in the same town or the right town.  Or having your rock star husband take an hour of 'vacation time' to drive from Rapid to Belle to pick up your kid from daycare then heading home to Sturgis simply because I am at school until 9:30 at night running a concession stand.  Do that about 10x in two months.  That's insane.  That's a supportive husband going way, way above an beyond the norm to support his wife and our family so we can pay the bills.

In fact, we once tried to wedge open that door... we listed our house for sale for over 5 months to only get zero offers.  Dozens of showings, everyone loved our house but God prompted no one to make a formal offer.  We kept our house spotless for 5 months straight.  FIVE MONTHS straight.  Seriously.  Having my house clean for 1 day feels like an accomplishment but 5 months.... that's insane.  We tried doing it our way but God of course, had a better plan.

These past 5 1/2 years, we've worked hard.  There have been moments when we've tried to budge the door open.  Considered trying something new, dreamed about possible ways the door may pop loose.  Once, there was even a job offer but we had to say no.  And, God kept saying- no.  Every time, it came back to waiting on Him.  God knows I'm not good at waiting so He lets me do a lot of it.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

 - Psalm 27:14

Last summer, again- we saw an opportunity.  But, if you switch jobs while adopting- you slow down the process to re-do things, you add a little cost and you delay getting your kid home.  That wasn't an option.  So we passed.  We waited more.

Then, God opened the door.  

Simple.  Like that.  

A job opening was revealed and I was encouraged to apply.  

After much prayer, discussion, prayer, contemplation and to be honest- a fair amount of uncertainty, I applied.  An interview was offered.  Second interview scheduled.  References were checked.  Then, we waited.  And prayed and prayed and prayed that this would be our 'yes'.  Our church prayed, our friends prayed, our Bible study group prayed.  We prayed.

Last Wednesday, over lunch- the phone rang and God kicked the proverbial door wide open! The offer of a new job.  I accepted the job :) As I write this, as of today.... I now have 5 days until I retire from teaching.  Five days.  You see- as usual, God orchestrates every single detail.  Details... God loves details.

Get this.... I will teach school 5 more days, walk out the the school on March 2nd, my 12 weeks of FMLA will expire on May 27th and on about June 1st, I will begin with the Department of Education.  I will work remotely from home.  Yes, that's right- God has provided a 'work from your home office' job that utilizes my education degree.  That never happens!  I will no longer work directly with students but with educators from across the western part of our state.  To say we're thrilled would be a major understatement.  While I have enjoyed the people of Belle and my season there- our family needs a new season.  We are in awe of God's blessings, provision and masterful way of setting our paths in just the perfect way at the perfect time.

Its as though a new dawn is coming for our family.  Within a couple weeks, we'll all be together and under one roof.  The commuting/teaching school, driving all over creation, concession stand, craziness chapter is nearly complete and a new career direction waits just around the bend.  Our God is faithful and for that we are incredibly blessed!

And, because this song has literally been in my head and heart for about the last 3 weeks solid.... crank it up & sing God's praise!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAyvSBTgYis

P.S.  We leave in 10 DAYS to pick up our Elsie!!! :)  

In the 'teens'....

Well, our countdown is slowly being trimmed away...today, we broke into the 'teens'.  Nineteen days until we leave for China!  Have I mentioned that we can't wait.  We'll we really can't wait to go meet our little girl.  Last weekend, I did a little pre-packing to make sure we have everything we need.  Packed a few of Elsie's things including her homecoming outfit and suddenly realized the girl didn't have a proper pair of shoes to wear with her cute little dress- a girl's gotta have at least one cute pair of shoes :)  

Today they arrived....oh, my adorable. 

I've got a feelin' that tea parties are just around the corner :) 

In the meantime, please continue praying for our little Elsie.  We keep upholding her in prayer that she will stay healthy, be shown love each day and be well cared for.  She turned 18 months this week. We're also praying that once we do finally, finally, finally get to scoop her up in our arms- that her transition will be as smooth as possible.  There will be a lot of changes and a lot of 'new' in her life.  This weekend, we're focusing on soaking up some fun memories with Kaleb and enjoying a nice long quiet weekend.  We love you baby girl.  

TA!!!

We got!  We're approved to travel to pick up our Elsie :)  Excitement doesn't even describe what it feels like the moment you see that incredible news.  Our tickets are bought, plans are being made and we can't wait to get her home.  On Saturday, I decided we officially needed a countdown chart ...

We can't wait to see those days fill in...Kaleb has a stockpile of stickers and smelly markers to fill in the days as they hopefully roll past quickly.  We'll definitely need another countdown for all those days we're away in China.  Kaleb is thrilled that he gets to go to Gamma & Grandpa's house and also hang out with Auntie Ashley :)  We're so thankful and fortunate that family is able to help out with Kaleb.  Its so reassuring and great to know that he'll be having a blast while we're gone.  Absolutely can't wait to have our entire family together on March 19th!!!  Kaleb, Elsie and Us.  All together finally & forever.  There's gonna be a big ole party at the airport I tell ya! 

While we wait, we're definitely keeping busy!  Gamma & Grandpa treated us to Stock Show tickets to the rodeo, with Uncle RyRy.  Always a great time and a true west river tradition.  Saturday was a day filled with sunshine, bike rides and playing outside as it was 70 degrees out.  Shocking and bizarre for the first week of February!  This morning, as I looked out the kitchen window- I realized that if we mowed the yard today, it would definitely look green. Weird.  Weird.  Bring on spring- I'm a definitely ready!! 

Almost There....

Well, the clock just struck 3pm here in our time zone which means it is 5pm where our agency's office is which means we've yet to get our travel approval.  Bummer.  We knew last week on Friday afternoon, that God did not want us in China in early February and instead planned for us to travel in early March to pick up Elsie.  We had hoped to learn it was on its way sometime this week.  Others with similar timelines have learned their travel approval is on its way however, our status has not changed.  We're hopeful and will be praying that it shows up early next week.  At this point, our approval being delayed a few days doesn't really matter as we have plenty of time before we're traveling.  However, it is always nice to know that the last detail is wrapped up.  It will be great to have our flights booked, exact travel details in place and then start the count down to bringing home our little girl.
This past weekend, we shared a little of our story at church with our church family.  What a blessing our 'family' at Hills View is!! The love, care and support given has been incredible and we' so blessed.  We can't wait to get her home and introduce her to everyone there.  As a little token of our appreciation, Kim "we" made chocolate chip cookie goodie bags for the road home after church on Sunday.  303 cookies turned into 75 goodie bags of cookies.... let's just say our house smelled really, really good :)

Sunday was busy as we shared at both the early and late church services, dished out more goodie bags of crafts for Kids Bible Time, church potluck then the annual meeting.  We came home, changed into comfy clothes and the guys were napping- all within about 2 minutes of walking in the door from church.  I enjoyed a relaxing hour or so living vicariously on Pinterest and catching up on HGTV.  After Wes woke  up, I said 'it was like we had a family pause button'.  We needed it and it was great!
This past week has been busy, full, hectic, lots of 'things' going on...but life is good and God is revealing himself in all sort of ways as we wait for the green light to 'go' get our little girl :) 

He's Got it Figured Out...

Today, I went to church.  I went to the early service so I could hear the sermon and then help teach Kids Bible Time.  So, I innocently sat down with my cup o' coffee and Bible.  We sang our songs; shared our prayers and praises; then our pastor started speaking.  The topic...miracles.  Miracles, oh my.  It was about how Jesus' mom walked up to him and said 'we're out' and then walked away.  How Jesus used miracles to take natural human processes and gave them short cuts to fruition.  What should have taken months to make more wine, Jesus did within minutes.  He told them to go fill up the jugs and then how God didn't have some fancy process or ritual or procedure or wording or need to touch anything or say the magic work or some other goofy 'thing'.  He just did it.
I've been saying for the last couple weeks.... "it'd take a miracle to travel before Chinese New Year". And, then I went to church today.  And, it was about miracles.  Then, I taught Kids Bible Time which was from Matthew 5:14-16...about letting our light shine.  About holding your light up high so the light shines brighter instead of keeping it tight to the ground in fear.  So I drove home from church kind of feeling like God just picked the scab off of my not quite healed set of expectations.

You see... the last flight for a trip to pick up kiddos before the Chinese New Year leaves January 29th.  And, then if you're not on the plane that day- you wait until March 4th.  Most sane rational people would say we don't have a chance or a way or a possibility.  Even if there is a possibility, God may have a bigger, better, more perfect plan.  To make this happen, quite honestly we'd need a 3-part miracle of craziness. Sometimes He makes crazy work.  Sometimes, He trains us to be steadfast and teaches us resolve.  Either way, He doesn't make mistakes.  Nope.  No mistakes- ever!

Today after the first service at church... I was convicted that I haven't held the lamp high to see what God plans might reveal.  I've been hiding it under a bushel of vulnerability without checking to see if He has a miracle on the horizon.

So, I'm sayin' God... the last trip before CNY leaves on January 29th. 

The next option is March 4th. 

God has that all planned out already. 

Perhaps, we'll spend February planning an early birthday party for Kaleb and a fun free family stay-cation for Presidents Day Weekend and praying for our little Elsie whom is waiting for us.  Maybe there is another plan in the works.
What we need is for our travel plans to be upheld in prayer this week.  Pray for efficient work time for all those processing our paperwork.  For potential obstacles to be removed before they're even known.  And, in the end- we know that we have done all that we can.  That we've turned it over to God.  And, He ALWAYS has the plan perfectly crafted.  Pray that Elsie gets good care.  That she is warm and stays healthy.  So, come Friday if we know we've missed it by a matter of days...we know that God knows best.  When we brought home Kaleb, I'll never forget the week at the end when our paperwork got sent to South Africa instead of Ethiopia :(   At the time, I couldn't see God's plan in it.  In hindsight, there were many reasons it worked out wonderfully for that little delay of a week.

God knows and we can't wait to find out His answer.  

We'll let Him figure it out.  

In the meantime, we've literally got nothing better to do than...

Happy 17 Months, Baby Girl

Today, our little one turns 17 months old and things are starting to look & feel like a little girl really will be landing here before long.  Our process is moving along fairly quickly- Praise the Lord!  This past Monday, we had our Article 5 packet dropped off.  This is the last step in getting all our paperwork approved.  Unless there is a complication- it will be picked up on January 20th.  Then we wait for our travel invitation- about 2-3 weeks later :)  Yep, that's it.... Article 5 approval and then we wait for the 'yes, come get her' letter which will literally come in the mail.  What a day that will be!
In the mean time, we're working hard on getting 'ready' or as ready as we can be.  Which of course means, you need a pile of cute little girl clothes.  Look what showed up at our house today....

Compliments of some AMAZING sales on the day after Christmas (think receipts that said 'you saved $96 and spent $16), little Elsie now actually has clothes to wear :)  Let me tell you... not much cuter than little girl leggings & pink bows.  And, of course- who wouldn't love pink heart sweat pants!  Her room is ready, a stash of cute clothes, a warm coat, picked up another convertible car seat last weekend,... I think we're set for the most part.  Next on our radar is packing for 2-ish weeks with 1 suitcase each weighing around 40 lbs.
The highlight of our week was FINALLY getting an update!  She seems to be doing well- has gained a couple pounds and is a little longer.  Now, we just need to get our lives organized, coordinated and aligned so that we can step out of our fast-paced life when we head for China.
Right now, it looks like we'll travel the first week of March.  I'm not going to lie... on Monday, March seemed like an unneeded looooooong ways away.  However, I do know that all will come together in God's timing and in reality, March will come quickly with so much 'stuff' going on.
In the meantime, please be praying that she stays healthy, that the nannies love on her often and that God will prepare her little heart for the transition ahead.  May God keep her warm, give her rest and a little joy every day no matter her circumstances.  Sleep well baby girl, we're comin' as fast as they'll let us get there! 

Getting Closer...

I just updated our little adoption timeline here on our blog and realized that there are only about two 'things' left on the list before we head off to pick up Elsie.  Wow!  I seriously have to ask myself, how did that happen???  Well, part of the answer is the God is moving our process along at super speedy mega-fast speed!  Which we think is great :)  This past week  has been positively eventful as well- we have received our immigration documents and our file has been cabled/transferred to the consulate's office in our daughter's homeland.  This means everything is in place for our 'Article 5' drop off on Monday.  We'll wait two weeks to have that picked up, then- we wait for our travel approval.  That is crazy!!!!  We wrapped up the new year scanning, sending and uploading the last documents to bring our girl home.  This is the year she comes home!  At this point, we're still thinking we'll travel in late February or early March however, at the rate things are progressing.... we're a little mentally prepared for 'what if its a little earlier'.  God knows and I'm sure He'll let us know when the right time is to go get her.  In the meantime, I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that the paperwork is done.  All the acronyms except for 'TA' (travel approval) are check marked off.  It will be a few weeks before we can anticipate getting our travel approval however, it'll be here before we know it I'm sure.  We can't wait! Her room is ready, I stocked up on a bunch of post-Christmas clearance clothes for her and she's got a few little toys waiting for her thanks to Christmas and generous relatives :)  

P.S. I just started a word document titled 'Packing List for China'- YAY!!! ;)