Dreaming...

In just over four weeks, we will be soaring over the ocean on our way to our children! A 16 month journey coming to fruition! I can't even imagine the moment. I religiously watch "An Adoption Story" and imagine that moment for myself. What will those first moments feel like? Will Joshua be scared of these white people who speak a weird language and smell weird? Has he been looking at the pictures we sent of us and dreaming about what we are like? Will his spirit recognize us, sending him running into our arms? I have loved my little man for 16 months and I will, no doubt, want to embrace him and tell him how much his mommy loves him, but will he be ready for that in those first moment? We have heard so many different stories and each one is different. We have no way of knowing how he will feel and respond in those first moments. We sure don't want to put any expectation on him. What will that first moment be like for Julianna? My mothering instincts will want to scoop her up and hold her close, smelling her hair and skin, feeling my 20 month old daughter for the first time. Will she cry? Will we frighten her? The thought of that breaks my heart, but is very possible. Time will tell how that first amazing moment will unfold. However it does, it will be among the most precious of memories...a miracle unfolding before me.

We have spent the last couple of days since our great November 3rd packing, making lists and more lists, and praying. We still have $8,000 to raise to travel...$2100 we need to pay the $6800 in airline tickets by the 12th. We are trusting God just like we have for 16 months and have no doubt of His provision. He never leaves a miracle underfunded or incomplete. We don't know how this provision will come, but we will faithfully wait for it.

We fly out of Denver on December 6th, fly to Washington DC, then boarding Ethiopian Air to Rome, then to Addis Ababa. Our flight is an overnight flight and by the time we get there, it will be evening in Ethiopia. We will have to try and sleep again.

What a Christmas this will be! The kids will come home on December 13th to the first snow they've ever seen more than likely, Christmas lights and a Christmas tree. We hope to not overwhelm them, but it seems that it will be so very special. What a gift they are to our family this Christmas.