What a week! Up until the last few days my feelings about this adventure have been overshadowed by excitement. And then, as the reality set in that I won’t be seeing my friends and family for three long months, I started to get a little teary. My friends always tease me about how often I cry! Well, you can imagine the amount of tears I shed this week! Happy tears, though 🙂
Many of you have asked about our plans for after we leave. We are departing San Francisco tomorrow to fly 12 hours directly to Frankfurt, Germany. Originally, we had a 2 hour layover in Germany before we caught our connecting flight down to Ethiopia. When our court date was not scheduled as we had anticipated, we decided to extend our layover just a bit. Instead of spending 2 hours in Germany, we will be spending 6 days!
Just another example of how God blesses us! 15 years ago I married this guy…..
We were just babies! We were only 19 years old when we got married. Young, I know, but I couldn’t let a man like him escape! We have had many great adventures. And we always said that we would do it up big for our 15 year anniversary. Go overseas. Europe. Australia maybe. 16 months ago when we started down this road of adoption, we shelved those big plans for an overseas vacation. And then a few weeks ago I thought we would be spending our anniversary in Ethiopia – and I was okay with that! But, in timing that only God can ordain, our 15 year anniversary falls during the 6 days that we will be in Germany. Not only do we get the blessing of adopting these children, but God is also giving us an unexpected anniversary present!
Here are a few pictures of our past week…..
Mother's Day
Cousins On Mother's Day
My Beautiful Mother
Just 2 of my power peeps - saying goodbye!
Last day of Zumba...there were a few tears:)
Saying goodbye to his dog.
Sucking all the air out to fit everything in our bags!
9 suitcases, 4 carry-ons, 4 personal items, oh my!
Going away get together-I love this lady!
I will be updating as often as possible while we are away. I can not wait to post pictures and videos of our family of eight!
Blessings!
Natalie
PRAYER REQUESTS
*Rest for our family, especially my husband.
*That we would hear of our court date soon!
*That our court date would BE soon!
Good for you for getting some time off. It will do you all a world of good. Happy Aniversary and enjoy your time in Germany. We are praying for a restful time for all of you in Germany, and that the joyous news of your court date will come to you soon. Enjoy your time together as your sweet little family of four. Blessings to you all.
Best wishes to you and your family on this amazing journey!
Hope you are all rested and un-jetlagged by the time you (maybe) read this on Sunday morning. I’m also praying that you’re having a wonderful, carefree time.
Have fun! We love and miss you!
Mom and all
Your story continues back here….Your vehicle was just dropped off here at Hild Collision Center (many of us attend Neighborhood – me included) and as the nice lady finished dropping off your vehicle I could hear “you make beautiful things…” playing on K-Love in our lobby…..every time I hear that song I think of you guys…how fitting! How Jesus!
‘The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace.’ His banner over me is love!!
We keep you all in our prayers,
Mom