Preparing to Leave

So much has happened in the last few days! This is literally the first chance I’ve had to sit behind a computer and begin our blog. So much to share, but I’m going to give it a shot J I’m going to try and capture the last week in a series of three or four blog posts. Starting with this one… so here goes!

 Two days before we left, about 50 people gathered at a friend’s home (Steve and Lisa Burns). Together they prayed fervently for Nancy and I, our children, our travel, our daughter Nola and anything else that God brought to their hearts about our adoption journey. It was amazing. I have been a part of many gatherings where we have prayed for a family that was getting ready to leave the country to adopt a child, but I’ve never been on the receiving end.  The power of that evening literally blew Nancy and I away. Never before have I experienced in a tangible way the peace, love, and the power of God.  He washed away every fear that we had and replaced it with an abiding sense of peace.

God confirmed through that night a Scripture that he had spoken to me just days earlier concerning our adoption.

 Psalm 44:3 –

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; 
it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

 God reminded our family than it was not our own power and strength that was bringing Nola home (winning the land), but it was His greatness and His love for us that was making all this possible. We truly serve a wonderful God.

 And we have many wonderful friends!!! Thank you so much to all of the people who brought us treats, ran errands for us, helped pack our bags, and who encouraged us in our last hours of preparation . . . we could not have made it here without you!

  Special thanks to the Tofte children who gave us a majority of their savings and bought precious gifts for us to give to the children we plan on visiting in an orphanage in Bogotá.

 Here are some pics of just some of the people who helped us before we left!

Laura and Nancy circa 4:00 AM 

Beach balls for the orphanage from the Tofte kids! 

Flurry of activity

Please don't ask me what Lisa is holding :)

More help!

And more help . . .

And the Schoeneckes with the awesome brownies!

The wonderful people from The Economist magazine who came to my rescue at the Colombian Consulate . . . helping me make some vital copies.  Monika, Eva and Nick . . . you are the BEST.  May Jesus bless you for the way you blessed me!