Today on our morning show, we welcomed the group 33 Miles. The name of their group represents the age of Jesus and the journey of his life. Listening to a live studio performance is definitely one of the best aspects of being in radio, it's such a gift to be able to hear artists with amazing voices belt it out! In the midst of our morning lighthearted zaniness, Jason and Chris transported me to Poland and brought tears to my eyes, thinking about the Lord holding our little girl, and all orphans who cry out . This song is a powerful reminder of the magnanimity of God, and his loving mercy. I think many people will be comforted by "The Arms that Hold the Universe." I hope you enjoy it too!
I had an obvious light bulb moment here: international adoption is not compatible with the "planner" personality. :) Lol! It's so funny/odd to think about traveling to a new place and staying there for 6 weeks, but not being able to really plan for it. I am used to micro-managing every aspect of trips, from weekend getaways to family vacations, and the more detail we have, the better. This is completely different though! We don't know what part of the country we will be traveling to, the history of the city and/or where we will even be staying or when. One part of me wants to embrace the adventure, but the other part of me is freaking out! Ha ha. I think I would be more carefree about it if we didn't have our three boys in tow. I am not even sure how to prepare? We have our passports, luggage and Polish language app on my iPad, but that's about it!
I will admit to slacking these last couple of months , but I think it's been a necessary detachment. I have been trying to resume life as usual until we get some news. I do have a question for adoptive families though. Is there anything special we should bring for our first visit? I would like to leave our daughter with something she could keep until we return but I'm not sure if there are any special restrictions? In my "un-planning" I feel like I still need to slightly plan for things like that. I know if our child is in an orphanage, we may be limited? I think I read that somewhere.
Happy February! I thought this month might bring news of a fund-raising effort to announce, but it looks like it's a bust unfortunately. What happened is, a few years ago I was helping my mom organize and and throw out some items in boxes. I ran across a Marvel comic of Pope John Paul II. I thought it was so unique and well done that I asked her if I could have it. She said I could borrow it and, well.... I've had it ever since. Lol. Anyway, with adoption expenses mounting and our need for donations and funds increasing, mom hatched a plan. A few weeks ago, the exciting announcement was made that Pope John Paul II would be beatified this year, and mom felt this would be a good time to sell the comic book. She suggested we auction the "rare" edition on eBay, and use the money for our adoption fund. Great idea mom! I have never seen a Pope John Paul II comic before, and I thought she might be on to something. Secretly, Jim and I hoped it would be like an episode of Antiques Roadshow when the appraiser reveals the item is worth thousands! Ha ha. Well, not so much. :( It turns out it's worth anywhere from $3-4.00 (although one copy did sell for a notable $200). D'oh! It seems my visions of a bidding war turned out to be as far fetched as winning Powerball. :) It was fun to dream though. Here are a few images from the comic, it really is a neat edition! Marvel Comics Presents The Life of Pope John Paul II, 1982 one-shot. Written by Steven Grant, drawn by John Tartaglione.
I will admit, the financial part has been the most challenging aspect of the adoption thus far. We knew it would be though, and tried to prepare as much as possible going in. There are some days where we don't know how we will do it, but God has taken us this far and He will get us through. It's also been comforting to look back and remember how clearly the Lord led us to Poland has guided us to this point.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."
Jeremiah 29:11
In the words of Pope John Paul II in the comic book: "In the name of obedience and in the total confidence of of his mother, the most holy Madonna." I trust!! :)
