9 Days and the emotional roller coaster starts!

We (Craig and I) leave for our first trip to Ethiopia, a mission trip, in 9 days. We are blessed to be part of Ethiopia Smile - a group of 66 dentists and non-dentists going to Ethiopia to be the hands and feet of Jesus (more about the trip www.teamalexander.blogspot.com). My heart can't even begin to grasp what we are going to experience - and I am so excited, anxious, grateful and yes, a little unsure.
I have spent a majority of tonight crying at the thought of saying 'bye' to my 4 precious children here in Texas - I can't even get a handle on the tears. I know this is an ordained trip - God has been at work from the beginning and I know that He is a good God. But I have a mama's heart that loves deep and is going to miss my little crew here at home SO MUCH!!!
In the back of my mind I also can't quit thinking about courts opening in ONE week (yes, I'm counting) and what that means for our court date. We will be turning around to travel again once we receive our court date for sweet A - will that be in a couple of weeks, 6 weeks, a couple of months?? Only God knows!!
This is a time of transition, stepping out in faith, and trusting the One and Only True God. I know He is teaching me that I am NOT in control -- the adoption process has been and continues be a refining experience like no other.
The easiest thing for me to do in the next couple of weeks would be to run, turn and avoid the emotion that awaits, but I know that Christ gives me the strength to face all of the emotions head-on, to go directly through the hard stuff - the fun stuff - the joyful stuff and the sad stuff - and know for certain I will be better on the other side.
So, if you think of us, we ask that you pray for the following:
- travel safety
- timely (quick) court date
- my emotional stability
- God's glory to shine at all times during this trip

We will do our best to post updates during the trip.

What can a box hold?

Our lives are in boxes and boxes and boxes ... and I've discovered that boxes can hold more than books, dishes, toys and linens, they also hold memories!! LOTS of memories. I am usually a thrower awayer -- I am more likely to toss something into a big plastic trash bag (the black kind so the kiddos can't examine the contents) than keep it. But packing the house has been different, I am finding it hard to get rid of things because I feel like I am throwing away the memory. So, we are moving many more boxes than I thought we would but that makes me happy because we are taking our memories with us to here ...
This is the new home!!! It fits our family so well, and God has been amazing in providing so many things that we asked for - very specific things. We will have a few weeks of transition - we'll have to be out of our house, but we won't be able to take possession of our new home yet, so we are calling it vacation. We will spend some time at the lake house and probably visiting family -- who knows maybe we'll rent an RV and travel around.

Adoption update:
We are still next on the list for a young sibling group. Just to recap what that means - we are approved for up to 4 kids between birth-4 years old. The reality in Ethiopia right now is that one of the governmental offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is closed for undetermined reasons and for an undetermined amount of time. As long as this particular office is closed, no referrals can be issued. As disappointing as this is, I KNOW without a doubt that God is in control and HIS timing is impeccable. I have been reminded that this is part of the process, trusting, faith building, not to mention preparing here at home for the tangible changes of having more kids. I have been challenged in the past few weeks to articulate our hearts for orphans and for Ethiopia. Lots of questions from friends and well as strangers has challenged me to be bold and courageous - to speak up for those that can't speak up for themselves - to explain the heart of our family. This has been increasingly more difficult recently because I have been reminded that this goes against a large population of society and the look from strangers when they hear our story reminds me that there are SO many that need to hear of Jesus' love - for them and for our world! I continue to praise God for calling our family to this journey, it is thrilling to hear my children talk about their siblings in Ethiopia, to see the excitement in their eyes when we talk about it, and to reach out to children that are different than them. God has placed His hand on their hearts and HE is changing them and I am SO grateful because it is far beyond anything I could teach them.
This delay in referral also gives us the chance to raise more money to cover the remaining adoption expenses. Please look at the pics of the new t-shirts we are selling from 147 million orphans. They are SO soft and cute. I also have plenty of Uganda bead necklaces in stock.