The Moment We've Been Waiting For

Words fail me as I try to capture the depth of this moment.  We are finally here.  We are packed and ready.  We've researched agencies and countries, filled out MOUNTAINS of paperwork, read adoption books, and been overwhelmed by both joy and fear at different times in this process.  We've fundraised and worked ourselves to exhaustion with garage sales, bake sales, open houses...you name it.  We've loved these girls for more than 14 months...since the first moment we saw their faces on our computer screen on September 10, 2012.  We've looked longingly at pictures and prayed for quick resolution of paperwork and governmental red tape.  We've laughed and cried, and then cried some more when the waiting became unbearable.  We've trusted and doubted and trusted again.  We've made amazing new friends that we'll treasure for the rest of our lives.  We've received blessings upon blessings from the generous and loving hand of our faithful God as He has delighted to shower us with good gifts from above.  We've hugged and kissed and played with our Haitian daughters...and then said goodbye with broken hearts and tears streaming down our faces.  We've painted rooms and rearranged furniture.  We've organized clothes for 5 girls and purchased new toys.  We've waited...and waited...and waited.  Sometimes, we've waited well....other times, we've thrown a tantrum or ten.  We've prayed.  We've imagined.  We've cleaned and organized.  We've researched natural hair and tried to learn some Creole.  We've learned important lessons about trust, surrender, the Sovereignty of God, and the road of obedience that He calls us to.  Has it been easy?  No.  Has it been worth it? Yes!!

And now, all of those experiences culminate in one single day...one average Thursday morning in Minnesota in November.  And before you know it, we're in Miami, and then in Haiti, and then these girls we've loved and longed for for so long are finally in our arms for good.  We will be their forever family and they will finally be in our life and our home in the same way that they've been in our hearts for so long.  And then, next week, 2 days before Thanksgiving...we'll bring these girls home!  They will meet their new sisters...who are already bursting with excitement to meet and hug and love and play with them.  And finally, for the first time EVER, our entire family will be in one place...together.  Priceless.  Precious.  And oh sooooooo worth it!!

There is a song that has resonated with me as it relates to our adoption process for months now.  This song is full of powerful truth and I know it resonates with so many people for different circumstances.  But this week especially, it's my theme song.  It's my soundtrack.  I've already been planning for months that it would be the final song in the slideshow that will be created of our family together as we finally bring Chelley and Naika home.  This song applies perfectly both as we look back to where we've been and as we look ahead to the brand new adventure that awaits us.  It's no coincidence that this week at Calvary, Maria and Annika and my fellow Worship Chorale and Worship Team members will be singing this song in worship, while we are in Haiti...worshiping in Creole and preparing to bring our newest daughters home.  The song is Never Once by Matt Redman. 
Here are the lyrics...

Verse 1

Standing on this mountaintop 

Looking just how far we've come 

Knowing that for every step 

You were with us 

Verse 2

Kneeling on this battle ground 

Seeing just how much You've done 

Knowing every victory 

Is Your power in us 

Pre-Chorus

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Yes, our hearts can say 

Chorus 1

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Bridge

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Carried by Your constant grace 

Held within Your perfect peace 

Never once, no, we never walk alone 

Ending Chorus

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Every step we are breathing in Your grace 

Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

If you haven't heard this song...you need to hear it.  You will be blessed as you remember that our God...He is ALWAYS FAITHFUL!!  

 

You tube link to Never Once: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxFyX29pZnI

 

Thank you for praying for us, crying with us, listening to us, loving us, supporting us, and walking alongside us on this long journey.  We look forward to sharing each new step of this adventure with you, and we covet your prayers for all of us as we go to Haiti to bring our babies home.