Coming Home.

This is the bittersweet part of our trip. It is the part where we look anxiously forward to walking on to the plane tomorrow night and entering the embraces of two little boys back home that we have not seen for almost two weeks. But what we are leaving behind, leaves a knot in my throat.

Today was our last day here with Samiah. We had a great visit with her. She was very happy as always. She loves us so much, we can tell. She finds us when we are talking and loves to watch Awan wherever she is. She is a dream. I held her close and just watched her sleep and wondered what will she look like when we return. Will she be sitting by herself? Will she be crawling? Or even walking.... or perhaps will I miss her first birthday? I think not knowing the timeline is what makes me most anxious. With Tadios, we were told it will be 6-8 weeks and 4 months later we returned. Others we know it was 10mo. All in all, we must dedicate this next part of this adoption journey to God like we have the rest of it. Why not. My mom gave me this verse just minutes before getting on the plane in DC. Isaiah 43. I was reading it tonight, thinking about this trip, Samiah, and all the amazing friends we will be leaving behind.  In verse 2, it starts: " When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you wak through the fire; you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord  your God, the Holy One of Isreal, your Savior;"  This verse has reigned true in our lives for the past two years. Christmas Day will make the two year annivesary that marks the day we as a family started this Adoption process. We sat at our kitchen table and submitted our application for two unrealted children in Ethiopia. And tomorrow we hope to walk out of court with just that, confirmation that this is the last part of this journey. That when we leave Ethiopia tomorrow God has his hand on Samiah, and that his presence will continue to walk with us through this journey as we wait for Embassy and we return for her. Leaving her today was so hard. We had a time where we sat together as a family and got to pray over Samiah, for her during this time of waiting and for our quick return. I didn't think it would effect Awan much. And well, I lost it.  Samiah had taken turns previously running her hands across Jeremy and Awan's face touching it and mummbling baby talk. And then just before falling asleep she gave me a full baby lecture that she was going to be just fine and that she would be waiting for me when I came back for her, and she snuggled her head into my chest and fell fast asleep. The white van came through the gate of the transition home and my heart knew it was time. Time to say goodbye. I stood and walked her up to her room, her sleeping on my chest, and Awan holding onto her small finger in her hand. I didn't think this would effect Awan much since Samiah is just a baby, but as we walked up the stairs, there was a tear running down her face. Of course I lost it then. We walked together till we reached the nursery, I handed her over, we kissed her goodbye for now, and left.

When you read on in Isaiah it says "Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Soon enough just like his love for his people of Isreal, he will too, return Samiah to her home. She will come home.

We are excited for a wonderful homecoming with our boys. Being away from them has been so hard. We will love being with them again. But we will also miss the many friends we have become so close to while being here. We are so blessed to be apart of such amazing place. A few years ago I started praying the prayer of Jabez. Thinking it might help with some financial issues at the time. LOL But as we travel the streets of this amazing country and have gained a new language and culture of friends here. I have seen this prayer answered in an amazing way. Thank you Lord, for expanding our territory beyond what we could ever dream, this has been the greatest blessing we have ever recieved. 

Tomorrow at 9AM we await the final court hearing, with anticipation, for a favorable decree. We appreciate your prayers. And then 10:30PM here we will be flying home, home just in time to celebrate Tadios's first Christmas. We love you all can't wait to see you!