With Grateful Hearts

The time is almost here.

Our suitcases are packed and wait, lined up by the door, for a trip of 14,000 miles. Our hearts are aloft with anticipation and heavy with the sadness of leaving Maya and Sam behind. We’ve wiped extra tears from our children’s cheeks, given a multitude of extra hugs and kisses, and prepared them as best we can.

We’ve double checked passports, adoption documents, medications and snacks and toys for Matthew, and our own list of clothes, books, and gadgets.

We’re as ready as we can be. So off we go tomorrow, into one of life’s most significant adventures, and we’re so glad you are coming with us in spirit.

The house is still right now, quiet as two small people sleep in their beds, and I have a few minutes to sit in silence and let the reality of our journey sink in.

But all I can think about is how supported and loved I feel in this moment—by people like you, dear ones, who are reading this blog and joining us on this adventure.

You’ve done so many things for us:

• Helped us with the discernment process when we began to consider adoption in concrete ways
• Written us letters of recommendation that were included in our homestudy
• Read and advised us on Matthew’s referral
• Sent us generous financial gifts when we thought we couldn’t pull the money together to go to China
• Bought presents and wrote cards and showered us with love and blessings during our time of expectancy
• Dropped off meals for our freezer, to eat when we get home
• Offered to watch kids, walk them to school, or organize playdates while we are gone
• Signed up to pray for us each day of our journey
• Sent emails and left voice mail messages these past few days so we didn’t feel alone

And how could possibly feel alone, with so many amazing friends and family members companioning us on this journey? We’re about to do the most crazy thing we’ve ever done in our lives, travel halfway around the world to meet our son, and we’ve never felt more loved and supported. We’ve never felt so enveloped in intentionality and encouragement.

We hope that our adventure is yours as well.

Tomorrow it begins, a commencement of sorts—and we embark with full hearts and grateful spirits. But as we do, please know that every kind word, action, prayer, hug, and thought you have offered has bolstered us with hope and strength. You have given us more courage than we thought possible. We are deeply moved and so very thankful.

You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.  ~Frederick Buechner

 (A very special thanks to Alyson for sharing the Buechner quote above—it spoke to the core of my being tonight.)