Thoughts of an Expectant Mother and Father

There's so many things I could blog about today. The morning at the Saigon Zoo, the afternoon walking around seeing the sites of this beautiful city, so many beautiful memories. But, as we prepare for meeting Josiah Hai tomorrow I can't think of much else. Tonight as two little girls danced and sang around our hotel room I just marveled at the wonderful gift God has given us. My daughter is such a joy to my heart a wonderful gift from God. And tomorrow morning he will place another precious gift in my arms. I am so grateful. I just can't express the emotions that I am experiencing right now. And my thoughts keep going to Josiah Hai. He's probably sleeping right now unaware of the tremendous changes that are going to take place in his life tomorrow. In a few minutes his whole world will be turned upside down. He will say goodbye to all he has known and be placed in the arms of strangers. While we won't be strangers for long, my heart aches for what he is about to experience. I love this little boy and have for over a year now. I wish I could spare him the grief he will experience. But, what I can do is be there loving him each step of the way.

Earlier Mark called me over to read his post to his Fantasy Football league. I didn't expect what I read. It wasn't his normal post at Northwoods FFL. Here's what he wrote. Jet lag – the reason I’m awake at 12:15 AM Sunday, 12 September 2008, Ho Chi Manh City (Saigon) Vietnam. Five years ago we sat in Russia, awaiting God to give us Hannah. Now Hannah and Carol are asleep patiently waiting for Monday. Around 0900 Monday God will provide us with Josiah. Josiah turned two on the 29th of September. Although mal-nourished, we know Josiah is the child God has blessed us with to complete our family. Surely God will stop at Josiah, I’m 51 and … Never in my wildest imagination I would of thought of visiting Russia or Vietnam. As a career soldier for over 27 years I spent most of my adult life training to defend against two such countries. Now in the quiet of this hotel room while trying to update my team the Lord revealed how His will is so precious to each of our lives. We just need to submit totally to Him and allow Him to direct. In about 33 hours our submission to Him will be rewarded by the blessing named Josiah. I can’t imagine life without Hannah or Josiah. And to think if it was up to me we would have never got to see or love these beautiful children. I take time to thank God for His awesome love He has for us all. Although not the usual message from the pulpit, this one is real. So I ask all of you to thank God for this journey were on; to be Kingdom people, who serve the same Father no matter where were from or the color of our skin, He loves us the same and wants us all to join Him in His Kingdom. When we truly submit to Him, we might find that He leads us on a different path from the one we began to walk on many years or even days ago.

In Him,

Mark