Leaving on a jet plane....

We passed court!!!!!  It’s official- we head to Ethiopia in ten days and meet Addie in eleven.  To say we are excited is the understatement of the century.  Thanks so much for your prayers today.  We didn’t get the news until about 3:00 this afternoon, but I was really pretty calm and peaceful today while waiting- which could only be explained by the work of the Spirit. 

So, now the craziness begins.  Packing our suitcases (which is a lot of packing, because we are taking as little as possible for ourselves so that we can take donations for the orphanages), packing for Payton (who will be staying with Mimi and Grandaddy), getting the house ready (for Alex, who will be staying here with the pooch), and about a million other little things.  I’m feeling a tad overwhelmed, but I know that the Lord is sovereign over the tiny details too.  He hasn’t orchestrated everything up to this point to leave us to our own devices now.

The other good news we received today was that our friends in Louisiana passed court, too, and will be in Ethiopia with us.  We are sooooo very happy to know we will share this experience with them.  Such a blessing.

Thanks again for the prayers.  Keep them coming.  Here are a few things you can pray about:

1.     Pray that all the details fall into place and that getting ready for the trip is relatively stress-free.

2.     Pray for safe, smooth travels.

3.     Pray for our health while we travel.

4.     Pray for Payton, who we have never left for longer than one night.  Pray for her Mimi and Grandaddy, who will be watching her.

5.     Pray for Addie to continue to receive the love and care she needs before we get there and after we leave.- which leads to the next request, and perhaps the hardest to put into words-

6.     Pray that we will be able to leave Addie in Ethiopia with peace and the utmost assurance that our Lord is caring for her and working out the timing of our return.  We have no clue when that return will be, but it is typically three-four months after the first trip.  I’m pretty sure that will be the hardest few months of my life thus far.  My stomach honestly starts flipping when I think about having to get on the plane without her.  Please pray that the process goes quickly and smoothly, and that time will seemingly pass quickly for us and for Addie while we are apart.

Your encouragement and prayers mean more than we can tell you.  I think that soon after we get home I will be allowed to post pictures of our girl.  I can’t wait for you to see her!

Blessings!