And we are home!!

A little over a year ago, God spoke that two little boys in Ghana were to be my sons.  They would be forever mine, BUT it would come with a fight.  He specifically told me we would fight for our boys and their story would be for HIS GLORY!!  As I left Ghana on Saturday night to bring them home, March 3 my heart was full.  I was sitting with four of my treasures while Righ was in the US with three of our youngest.  As we boarded the plane it seemed like I was in a dream.  We were going HOME!  HOME!

An hour later, we were still sitting on the plane with periodic blackouts and I was praying for God to make a way.  Sydney and Keenan were both nervous about the way the power was going out on the plane. They just wanted to get off.  I was praying for God to show us His plan.  Three hours later and two sleeping boys, the pilot told us the flight was being cancelled.  Delta would be making hotel arrangements for us and all the other people on the plane.  And there were a lot of us!!

So at 1 am Ghana time we stood up to exit the plane.  I carried Bless and and two of our carry-ons while Sydney tried to wake Joseph up so he could walk.  Each time she stood him up, he fell over.  Oh God, help us was my cry.  How in the world was I going to get that little boy off the plane?  In steps this young couple asking if they could help us carry our bags.  Um, yes, you can!  As the man watched us try to get Joseph to stand unsuccessfully he asked if he could just carry him.  Um, yes, that would be great!! God making another way!

Over the next hour and a half, I realized I had NO MONEY on me.  I had spent it all because I was leaving the country.  HUGE MISTAKE and one I will never make again!!  After getting my hubby on the phone and standing in a mob of people, I tried to focus on Jesus and what He was trying to show me.  It was 2 am, I was holding a sleeping baby, Keenan was beyond exhaustion, Joseph was laying on the concrete floor in the middle of the Accra airport about to be trampled on and Sydney was helping the best she could.  What in the world???

I was on the verge of tears, but trying to stay strong for the four children surrounding me.  I kept reminding myself that God said our boys would be a fight.  We would fight to get them home and I was doing just that in the middle of the night!!

An hour later, we were dropped off at a hotel and our in country partner, John (sent by God to Feeding the Orphans) arrived with money for us.  We were all exhausted, but we were safe and could finally sleep.

As I woke the next day, I just knew everything would be okay.  We spent the day relaxing at our hotel and then headed to the mall to eat lunch with our in country volunteer, Lola.  We had pizza and ice cream and just laughed.

Our flight home was uneventful and the boys slept most of the time.  A true blessing!!

In Atlanta, the bumps began again. I walked to the gate to check the 5 of us in and the woman's face said it all when she heard our name.  "I have been waiting for you to arrive.  There are no seats for you on this plane."

The tears started to well up in my eyes.  The kids and I had first started getting ready to fly home more than 36 hours ago.  Here we were just an hour's flight away and there were no seats???  I asked her over and over and her answer was the same.  There was only room for two of us.  I could wait until the 3 pm flight or leave two of my kids in Atlanta.  NO, THANK YOU!!  We were going to travel together.

I called Righ and my travel agent (who is such a sweet friend and prayed with me through my tears that morning).  They both called Delta, but to no avail.  As little Bless started to cry, I picked him up and paced the floor through my tears.  I was pleading with God to get us home, to make a way where the woman said there was no way.  I just wanted to be home with all 7 of my children and to see my husband standing at the gate waiting for us!

And then, I surrendered. I gave it to Him. I gave all I was and all I had to Jesus.  I gave up all control and confessed I was ready for Him to show the way.  I would stay in Atlanta longer if that was His plan.  I was ready to do whatever He asked.  Of course, once I gave Him everything, then He moved that mountain in front of us!  A young couple gave up their two seats so we could go home!  I thanked them with tears in my eyes.  God did it! He made a way and He did it His way!!

As we boarded the flight home, we were the last ones called and Bless was walking beside me.  At the very last minute, he stopped, turned and waved to the young couple who had given up their sheets and said, "Bye!" in his sweet little toddler voice.  I don't think I will ever forget that young man's face as he said, "have a safe journey home".

On the other side of the airplane, my precious God-loving husband was waiting with three of my babies who I had missed so much and so many of our friends who have walked each day of this journey with us!!

A year later

One year ago on February 13 we said YES to two little boys in Ghana.  We said YES, we love you, we adore you and we know God has placed you in our family.  

Everyone thought we were crazy. They accused us of being addicted to adoption since Samuel and Helen had only been home almost 3 months.  But they were wrong. We were just following Jesus. Following Him down the path He laid before us.  Obeying Him at all costs.  Looking foolish to the world, but knowing in our hearts we were doing what He asked.

So last night I found out our power of attorney in Ghana was preparing for our visa exit interview on February 23.  WHAT??  I was shocked. I sat in disbelief because my boys were to arrive at the US Embassy in less than 12 hours.  I panicked, then trusted.  I cried, then prayed.  I gave it to God and our POA got everything together and they made it.

Imagine my delight when I was woken at 6 am by our in country volunteer with the words:  YOUR VISAS WILL BE PRINTED THIS FRIDAY!!!

What does that mean? It means our boys are coming home!

  The baby in the dream from two years ago is coming home! 

The little boy God spoke so clearly about in Genesis 30:24 is coming home!!

All praise, glory, and honor be to our Lord Jesus Christ! He is faithful and He has done what He promised when it hasn't made sense to anyone!

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have laid out for you; declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Quick update

 Wow, what a week!!!  Bless' malaria became quickly better with many thanks to each of you for praying for our little guy.

Then, on Friday we read the words we had been waiting for:  Your petition for Bless and Joseph has been approved!!!!  We have I600 approval for our sweet sons.  Now we wait for a visa packet pick up appointment.  This can only be done on Wednesdays so our prayer is we can do that this week.  Another HUGE step closer to our boys and bringing them home!!!

Lastly, as I was reading Jonah to the three little kids last night they were enthralled.  Afterwards, Helen wanted to pray.  Now, everyone knows she LOVES to pray and her prayers are MOVING!!! As she spoke these words, my eyes opened and the tears came. What a precious, sweet prayer and so, so true.  Thank you, God, for the constant reminders you have placed in my life!

Helen:  "Please, God, help the orphans.  Please give them food and water.  please give them what they need, God.  And please bring the orphans into our home so we can love them." - from a 4 year old who lived it and remembers 

Laughs and trust

Today was full of basketball games for Keenan and Samuel and lots of laughs in the middle.  

Our baby girl who is constantly "posing".  She brightens each day and I cannot imagine a time when she wasn't here.  Her girliness shines through and she LOVES to have Sissy (Sydney) paint her nails, which she does at least 5 times a week.  Now that is a good sister!!  Seriously, though, she is a ball of fire, but worth every second!

Samuel, who had never played basketball until he came home, has become quite the little player.  Of course, he has a huge advantage because he plays with Keenan ALL THE TIME.  How do you get better FAST???  Play against an older brother who shows NO MERCY!!!  He is loving his season and can always be found dancing on the court.  :-)

(BTW, this is his cool look as he waits for Keenan's game to start.)

Now, Aiden is a character in himself.  As everyone took their turn for a pic, this is what I get.  "Wait, Momma, take it like this," all while giggling so hard I thought he would fall flat on his face.  That kid makes us all laugh so hard!!  And to think how hard we fought just to get him here when I was pregnant with him!!

This morning as I woke I found two missed calls from our Feeding the Orphans volunteer in Ghana.  My baby is sick.  He has malaria, but thank God he is receiving the treatment he needs.  Where did my heart go when she told me?  To God.  To how He loves him so much more than I do.  To the spiritual warfare raging in our home as we follow Jesus. To prayer and to ask for healing over his little body.  To the rest of the family that was gathered at the table eating breakfast this morning so we could all pray together.  To a hug from Keenan as he told me how surprised he was that I wasn't crying.  It is so hard to be away from sick little ones, but the greatest thing I have learned over the last two years and the adoption of these four precious, African children is they are not mine.  They are His and I have been given the gift of being their mother.  I have prayed over them, laid them in my hands and then laid them at my Father's feet.  They are His and I trust Him at all costs.  So tonight I pray for my youngest son, the caretakers as they provide what he needs and for my I600 approval that will get us one day closer to our two boys.  

Sledding and lots of other fun

What an amazing day with my kiddos!!  Today was the refreshment and laughter we all needed so much.  The kids went outside sledding for hours (and no, we didn't have tons of snow, but if the ground is frozen they are out there!!), they laughed, loved one another and just had fun.  Their smiles were back. Their fear was gone.  Thank you, Jesus!!  And thank you, everyone, who has been praying for their hearts!

Tomorrow might be different, but either way we are going to see Jesus' face in all of it!! We are going to see His joy and praise Him through the attacks!!  

For now, my babies are all sleeping and I'm going to bed, too.  

The joy of the Lord is my strength. - Nehemiah 8:10

Bigger Picture

The last few days have been difficult.  Hard.  Our family is under heavy spiritual attack. God has asked us to step out in faith.  Again.  What option do we have?  None because we love Him so intensely.   We are excited about the journey in front of us.  At times like this, though, the enemy decides to go into overtime.  He is working nonstop to deter us.  And the hardest part?  Watching my babies be under attack.  We are speaking truth and love into their hearts, encouraging them to lean upon HIM as He will never leave them nor forsake them.  He will stand beside them no matter what. What a beautiful adventure awaits us all!!!

On adoption news, we are still waiting for our I600 approval from the US Embassy in Ghana.  We are reminded God has perfect, incredible timing. This precious face reminds me daily.

It is still hard and my heart aches to have them here.

And this sweet boy is having a birthday in February.  By only a miracle from our God, he could be home for his 8th birthday.  Pray with us, will you?

One more favor.  Please join us in praying for our dear sweet friends who have been waiting so long that my heart hurts for them.  They are waiting for a court date, for court decrees, for I600 approvals (with us).  Please, please pray with us for these precious children who long to be with their forever families.  Pray for mommies and daddies whose arms are empty and aching.  Pray for brothers and sisters to understand God's perfect love in their wait.

Remind Me Who I Am - Jason Gray

We were given free tickets to Andrew Peterson's  BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD concert last night.  What an amazing blessing!!!  So Sydney, Keenan and I went while Dad kept the three little kids at home.

The first half of the concert was everyone playing two of their own songs.  As the 2nd guy stood up and started playing, I recognized one of my favorite songs.  (I am horrible at remembering who plays what and the names of songs.)

Sitting there listening to Jason Gray singing "Remind Me Who I Am", my mind went to the fatherless, to the orphan, to my sons who are orphans  NO MORE, to my Heavenly Father who adores me and I was reminded of His great love for ME.  And YOU.  And each person on this Earth.

He sang the words, "I belong to you," and I saw my precious son running to me with the brightest smile on his face knowing in his heart he belongs to me.

 I saw the empty, sad eyes of children just waiting for someone to say YOU BELONG TO ME.  I was reminded of the millions of children sitting around the world waiting to belong, to be loved, to be held, to be cherished, to be told the name of JESUS!!!

My heart was overflowing and broken all at the same time.  Thankful for a God who moves mountains, who changes hearts, who places the lonely in families, who gives me grace each and every day.  Broken for the children who need someone to come, someone to be His hands and feet, someone to remind them who they are and that they belong to a Heavenly Father.  Are you the one someone is waiting on?