Monday, December 31, 2012
obviously
Friday, December 28, 2012
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Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
Tomorrow is the start of a great journey, we will drive 17 hours to Utah, and then I will fly 33 hours to Liberia.
I have spent all of the Holiday season bustling with preparations to travel out of the country.
I have prayed, pondered and planned for this time.
I reflect on the Season of Christmas, and the grand journey that the wise men took, I found this quote to which I do not know its origin.
take time to consider;
"If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life."
What are we all busying our lives with? Is it pleasing unto Him? What is our personal mission, and how can we magnify our callings in life to Glorify Him!?
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Whirlwind of progress!
We had an unhappy surprise to find out our agency had left out a VERY important piece of the paper work puzzle.
The VISA for me to enter Liberia was never discussed, in all my check lists this very important piece of the puzzle was left unmentioned.
So we had to RUSH and prepare our immunizations and documents that will enable ME to enter Liberia.
In all....the fees and shipping were over $600.
For months I have been planning, calculating and saving for the in country expenses.
Here is the list the agency gave us,
Travel Expenses
Round-trip airfare to Liberia Our tickets were $750
Visa ($200-$300)*Which Peter already had... Mine ended up being 2x this estimate
Airport transfer ($30-$60)
Accommodations in Liberia $70-150 per day
Food $40 per day ($840)
In-Country Costs
Driver for stay in Liberia $200-$400
Child’s Visa (each child) $400
Child’s medical exam for U.S. Embassy (each child) $110
Passports $100 (each child)
Possible Miscellaneous fees $300-$500
We had set aside $2500 for our tickets and in country expenses.
With the added expenses for the visa i am REALLY feeling the crunch of numbers....
I am sincerely praying I do not run out of money, and I am able to find the remaining $500 for the hotel costs, and the $500 additional adoption agency fee, AND still have enough money to pay for all the other unexpected surprises.
I do not like surprises, never have, they give me SERIOUS anxiety, this is one reason why I am such a BEAR at the end of all my pregnancies...the UNKNOWN!
So here I enter another test of my character. To wait upon the unknown, and persevere through this journey.
Pray for me, Please pray specifically that;
Peter & I will be safe from harm or illness,
That we will be successful in our adoption,
That we will be reunited as a family no later than February 15th. (Home to Missouri by Feb 20th)
, That our hearts will be pliable and learn all that our Father has in store for us!
That ALL of my children will have guardian angels protecting them,
and that those who are caring for them in my absence will be in tune with their needs and be patient with them. This photo is of Peter's very own Graham Cracker House ;)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Power of Love
But my thoughts are turned to my blessings, and the privilege it has been to meet SO MANY on this journey.
I have learned in the past month that 2 of my friends will be bringing children into their home. In part because of their involvement with our adoption journey.
NOTHING brings me more hope than this.
The lives we can change through action is profound.
I have to be honest, the journey to adoption is more like preparing for the climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (which is on my bucket list)
The grueling preparation, the factors that are out of our hands....the trust, the waiting, the unknown, and the emotional turmoil have beaten me down.
I have spent more time in introspect and more time soul searching, practicing patience, forgiveness, and charity.
I have never come closer to my weaknesses than I have during this process.
Truly entering the refiners fire, I pray that I can come out as the masterpiece my Father in Heaven has intended me to be.
I pray that I can make up for all the flaws and mistakes I OBVIOUSLY have.
I also hope I can forgive others more freely, as I have struggled with all the elements that attend adoption.
I am learning, stretching and growing.
Thank you ALL for being a part of this journey.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Baby steps to this puzzle
What a BLESSING! both of these ladies have been to Liberia before, they know people, places and the 411 on what we need to prepare for!
PHEW!
We are planning on being in Liberia on Jan 4th (PRAYER WARRIORS!)
Peter & I will be traveling on stand-by (PRAY WARRIORS)
We have reservations at MOKO's Bed & Breakfast, which is the lowest fares in Monrovia PLUS they have 24 hour electricity!
I now have an idea on what we will be doing, and the peace of mind that I will not be there alone.
I need to pay $500 for the hotel room today.
and I need to pay the remainder of ($1071.00) our room fees on Dec 15th (Merry Christmas!)
If any one would like to give a Gift of Love to help us cover this expense, we would BE DEEPLY GRATEFUL!!!
We love and appreciate ALL YOU HAVE DONE to get us this far! XOX
Words are not enough.
It feels like I should add each of your names to Peter's Hero list...but even that is not enough. God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!