And, We're Off!!!

Well, we're off! My friend Emmi tagged me in a facebook post this morning, saying, "If there has ever been a time to celebrate, this is it!"

I couldn't agree more!

Madi reminded me last night that it was my last night in my house without Sam.

On Sunday morning, I leaned over to my friend, Alison and whispered, "This is my last time in worship without Sam."

I'm a little bit outside of my body right now...excited, and trying to get a grasp on the reality that is today. I am leaving my house in less than an hour to pick up my daughter. 

Wow.

Here we go! 

All of our prayers, donations, tears, heartaches...have led to this moment. I can hardly believe it is finally time. THANK YOU, JESUS!

My sister, Katie, wrote a lovely blog post yesterday filled with prayer requests and scriptures for our friends and family. I'm going to use her words today, because they are better than anything I could have come up with myself.

Thank you in advance for the love and prayers you all are sending for this week. We are already feeling them.

Lots of love to all of you. 

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From Katie (katie-memorablemoments.blogspot.com):

Tomorrow afternoon Gracie and I will be embarking on a journey one year in the making.  We will be flying to Sofia, Bulgaria where Samantha will be released from the bondage she's been living in for seven years into the loving arms of her mommy, and I get to witness it!  For days I have been battling sleepless nights due to a combination of nerves and excitement, as I imagine what that moment will be like; a moment that is now only 36 hours away!

Tonight I am writing for two reasons.  One, I have far too much adrenaline running through my body to fall asleep and two, to give you specific ways you can be praying for Grace, Samantha, my family, and I on this trip. 

• Please pray for safe travel.  
• Please pray for me because I am afraid of flying.  I've only flown on two occasions in my lifetime and I didn't do well either time.  Please pray that God would bless with me with a peace that surpasses all understanding and that He would squelch my fears.  I want to be fully present and courageous for Grace.  It is important to me that she never feels like she needs to comfort me. In other words, I don't want her to regret bringing me along.  ;)
• Speaking of being comforted, please pray that God would give me the wisdom to be all that Gracie needs me to be and the wisdom to know when to speak or simply listen. 
• Please pray for Steven and the girls.  Madeleine and Audrey will be starting school while I am away and Madeleine struggles with anxiety.  She has already expressed some concerns she has with my being gone.  As for Audrey, she is so care free that I don't know what to expect from her so pray that God would meet her needs as they arise.  Also, please lift Steven up as he cares for the girls on his own and that he would allow people to help him when needed & that God would impress on him that it doesn't make him less of a dad to accept help.
•  Most importantly, please pray for Grace and Sam.  Pray that God will guide Gracie as she makes parenting decisions for the first time and that He would bless her with confidence.  Pray for Sam as she leaves the only "home" she's ever known.  Pray that her transition from the orphanage would be a smooth one and that Gracie and I will be able to adequately meet any need that may crop up.

Grace and I (mostly Grace) picked out some bible verses for you to read each day that go along with a specific prayer need that day.  It is our hope that the verses will spur your prayers along each day and keep us close to your thoughts.

Friday - Safe Travels & preparedness for what lies ahead.  "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes".  Ephesians 6:11

Saturday -  Equip us.  "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, though Christ Jesus, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen". Hebrews 13:20-21

Sunday - Joy and Peace "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".  Romans 15:13

Monday - Samantha's Gotcha day!!  "God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6 

Tuesday - Please say a prayer for the orphans, still waiting for their forever families, in Pleven.  "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Psalm 27:10
"Can  a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands."  Psalm 49:15-16a  

Wednesday - Keep your eyes on Jesus.  "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory".  Colossians 3:1-3

Thursday - Today we have a meeting with the embassy to get Sam's visa and Sam will have a health check.  Please pray that all goes smoothly and that Samantha will tolerate it all.   "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres".  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

Friday - Today we will meet Grace's lawyer, Toni, for dinner.  Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for her as she has worked and fought hard to bring Samantha home.  "I thank my God every time I remember you".  Phil 1:3

Saturday -  Samantha's homecoming!!  Praise God for "He has cut her from the cords of the wicked"!  "They have greatly oppressed my from my youth - let Israel say - they have greatly oppresed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.  Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.  But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me from the cords of the wicked."  Psalm 129:1-4

Thank you for your prayers!!  The next time I blog I will be doing so from Bulgaria!!

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