...grateful for God's protection. While in China, were not able to talk too much about the turmoil in Hohhot. We were asked not to. Still, the NY Times reported on it. There were a few days that we were confined to our hotel, and all the government offices (that were completely the reason we had to be in Hohhot) were shut down. God kept us safe, we were able to get the paperwork completed and got Judd's passport two hours before we flew out. We have been aware of our inability and God's grace more times than we can count on this trip. Grateful is the only word for that.
...grateful to be home. This trip we flew around 20,000 miles around the world: Knoxville to Houston, Toyko, Beijing, Hohhot, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Newark, and back to Knoxville. God was especially gracious to us in giving us an empty seat in our row for the fifteen-hour flight back to the US. Our final flight was delayed by a couple hours last night due to weather, so we called home and told people to nevermind coming to the airport. We got off the plane last night and saw my folks. Then I said to Anne, "Our boys are here too." Our eyes filled with tears. Then we saw great friends here to welcome us. Man, is it good to be back home.
...grateful for our time in China. While it wasn't easy, it was meaningful beyond words. It really was an experience that has changed us. That may sound trite, but it's the truth. I am grateful to have went to such an stunning place, yet still grateful to be home.
...grateful for Judd. To say that Little Genghis is a blessing doesn't do things justice. To think what he has been through in his short life (abandonment, living in more than one orphanage, a couple surgeries and lonely hospital stays, having no family whatsoever, being thrust into our arms when we were total strangers, and being toted all over the globe by these strangers) and then to think about how joyful and content he is through all of that. He has warmed up to us both, especially Anne, very quickly. He did amazingly well on the long flights. He is hilarious and smart and pleasant and joyful. Actually, his joy is contagious. Sure, he has his moments, is totally impatient, is quite demanding, and screamed murder last night for over an hour. But if you think about what this guy has been through and how joyful this little guy is through it all, we can only be grateful.
...grateful for our families. My family watched our boys almost the entire time we were gone. Anne's family is excited and just drove from Indiana to meet the little dude. My sister has been constantly encouraging towards us. We are thankful for our families.
...grateful for a great church. I have long said that we go to one of the best churches in the country. I don't think that's an exaggeration. When we got back last night, our table and fridge were stocked with food thanks to the Hodges Care Group. Naomi house-sat for us and made the house spotless. Grant mowed our yard. The Prices watched our kids some while we were gone. Countless people wrote emails, notes, and more to encourage us while we were gone. Before we left, friends and people from our Care Group gave us a check for close to $2000 to help with travel costs. It's not an understatement to say that we couldn't have done this without our church. We are grateful beyond words for Cornerstone Church of Knoxville.
...grateful for our niece Mercy. Today is Mercy's Gotcha Day. Three years ago my sister adopted Mercy Bethlehem from Ethiopia, a tiny little girl with TB and God's grace all over her. If you want to cry, watch her Gotcha Day video below. I honestly don't know if we'd have had the faith and courage to adopt if it wasn't for seeing God miraculously provide for my sister's adoption and to see God's plan to bring Mercy here. We love us some Mercy!
...grateful to be a family of five. People have been asking how we are doing. Thanks for asking. We are really doing well. We were so grateful as we drove home, just us five, for the first time. Judd got a little overwhelmed and worn out at bedtime, but today has done better than we imagined. He loves following around his big brothers, and they have done little else today than play with him. They are already having a good time, and we've said more than once what good big brothers our two big boys are going to be. And guess what we did today? Almost nothing. It has been so nice today to do little other than be home. Be together. Be wonderfully unproductive. Be a family of five for the first time ever. And for simple joys like that, we are grateful.
-Chris
1 comment:
So glad to see you all made it home safe! Looks like Judd just fit right in with his forever family!
Post a Comment