And we're almost off!!!

Alright friends- it's almost here.  I feel like I've been saying that for a long time, but it really is almost here!  We are overly excited- not even realizing how fabulous it will be until we get there.  ;)

I saw this quote on Pinterest this week and was reminded and encouraged:  You see, we have not yet met our goal.  We have a credit card load, plane tickets and all.  And don't hear me wrong- we are totally and completely committed to this deal.  Debt or not.  If you can consider a house or a car worthy of debt, then our daughter is most definitely worth it.  But, in a household that is committed to living as debt-free as possible, it's been a hard week.  I know- there are all kinds of really important things right now going on.  There are other people struggling in very real ways.  There is suffering and death all around us.  I also know that the Lord provided all that we needed in the first adoption- and I know that he owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  And I know- that no matter how it presents itself- the Lord is in charge.

So please, join us in prayer.  Ask the Lord for some of those cattle.  ;)  Thank you friends!
"I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.  I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,  for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills."   Psalm 50:8-10 

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It's all in the details. . .

Well friends!  It is so close to time.  We have exactly 24 days and 8 hours until we leave.  Give or take a few minutes.  ;)  I have about 6 pages of lists. . . literally.  One for my packing, one for stuff that everyone needs, one for snacks, one for my oldest including what could go in his backpack, the next for my second born- including what he needs for school for three weeks.  The next list is the baby girl, including all her hair and bows and dresses and boots.  And complete with a backpack of fun for the airplane.  This morning I woke up at 6:30am trying to sort out which items should go into which suitcase.  And thinking about laundry.  Seriously!?!? 

I have another complete list of things that I need to take for Lily.  I have two different sized swim suits, and three different sizes of clothing.  I have a few pullups, a couple diapers, some snacks and food, jammies in three different sizes, and anything else!!

So, then I woke up this morning to a blog reminding me of a simple phrase.  "Wherever you are, be all there." A dear friend was commenting about how we can be amazing multi-taskers, and yet miss some of the most amazing moments.  I want to be all present.  I don't want to miss smiles and kisses and joy and tears and soccer in the backyard and cuddles first thing in the morning.  I want it all.  So, even though there are a million things to do, and even though I could continue in my craziness, I am going to choose to be where I am.  With the help and reminders from the Lord, I will walk these last few weeks peacefully.  At least keeping my crazy inside, and allowing my kiddos to enjoy every moment as well!  Thank you friend for the reminder.

(to see the original blog click here)

Lily Anne . . . . . A prayer for you.

As I sit here in my fabulous air conditioned home, listening to the quiet that is evenings after children are in bed, I find my heart praying for you.  Longing for you.  Slightly intimated by what your heart has had to bear in so few years.  I am so sorry that it has taken us so long to get to you.  I know deep down that it is the Lord's design- that He has bigger reasons for our timing, but in a very human, mommy kind of way, I'm sorry.  I promise- we will make up for it over and over as soon as we get you.  I know it might be difficult- those first few months.  But we are going to make it.

For right now, I am praying that the Lord would be ever near to you.  That He would set His angels around you while you sleep.

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;  they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11-12 

I am praying for your nannies- that they would have dreams of Jesus.  I am praying that they would encounter someone who will tell them the truth- that your dreams would be visible even through your eyes.  That they would be saved and we would be with them forever in the Resurrection.

"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe."  1 Thessalonians 2:13

I am praying for our paperwork, that it would sit on the right desk, on the right day, in front of the right person.  That they would know the Lord even through our signatures.  That someone would speak to them the truth, and even they would be saved while sitting in the government offices.

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation,  31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32  

And I suppose in a somewhat selfish way, I am praying for myself.  Praying that we would be enough.  Praying that we would be able to show you the truth and healing of a risen Savior.  Praying that love, both ours and your heavenly Father, would be enough to cover everything.  And praying against fear.  The kind that seeks to steal joy, hope, and happiness.  The kind that says we are not enough.  Praying to remember that my Jesus is so much bigger- bigger than your beginnings, bigger than my shortcomings, and bigger that the ocean that separates us.  

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  1 Peter 4:7-8

Life in a Hospital . . . . . For now. ;)

Hello friends-

It has been such a crazy last year.  Almost a year ago we came to the hospital with our youngest child, because she had critically low levels of platelets and hemoglobin.  After a week in the hospital, we were sent home on lots of steroids with very little change, and no clear diagnosis.  A week later, we switched to an amazing Pediatric Rheumatologist, who eventually was able to diagnose us with Lupus.  Incredibly rare in children, especially 3yr olds, but several blood tests indicated so.  For those who know a little bit about lupus, she only has symptoms in her blood.  No other system yet, just her platelets and hemoglobin.  Since then we have been on an adventure- with different medicines and treatments, looking for the one that will put her into remission for a season.

I must admit, there are many different theologies on the Lord in suffering.  There are an many different ideas on the Lord's work in healing.  But for us- we have come to know a couple of things.  No matter how healthy a birth mother is, no matter how picky you may or may not be, the Lord is the Author of our lives.  And though he loves my daughter more than I ever could, He has allowed her to be sick this past year.  Psalm 62 claims that my God is strong enough to defeat her disease, but it also says that He is loving.  And this past year, it seems He has been loving enough not to heal her.   

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11-12 

For reasons that I cannot understand, I trust that He is holding her.  He directed our steps in this entire process, and He has heard this mother's cries.  And rest assured- I have cried out to Him.  I have spoken life over her.  I have sought the Lord for her healing.  And you know what?  I found Him.  In a very deep place, in a very REAL way, I found Him.  Holding my daughter tightly.  Weeping with her when she cries.  And I trust that when the day comes, He will teach her about Himself.  He will heal her.  He will explain to her all about her little life and why it has to be how it is right now.

Until then, we continue to pray.  We continue to believe.  And we continue to get pokes, and medicine, and give blood, and hang out with our amazing doctors.

 It's blurry, but she was unashamedly making a fabulous face at my daughter while talking to us about treatment choices.  I love pediatric doctors!!

 

The Newest Addition

So, it seems we have probably found the next Harrigan!  The Lord began speaking to us a couple years ago about our daughter in China.  We didn't know much, but we started working.  We are thrilled to introduce her and share a bit more of her story.

She will be two years old in May, and she was born with a cleft palate and lip.  Her lip has been repaired in China, and her palate will be repaired as soon as we get back.

When we were presented with her file, it was incredibly daunting.  You read this patchy document, with all kinds of missing information.  You pray unceasingly for 48 hours.  You are incredibly, overly obsessed until the decision is made.

As we were praying one night, I had a picture in my mind of a massive swirling tornado.  We kept reaching into the tornado and pulling out pieces of trash that, when we turn around transform into puzzle pieces that form this little face.  It was as if there was swirling chaos on one side, and peace and calm on the other side.  After asking a dear friend in China what her Chinese name meant- I about fell on the floor.  The next morning I woke up to this email, "Now I CAN help you there: the name means calm and warm. Love y'all!"  Calm and warm????  Really Lord??  Amazing.  So, the decision seemed clear enough.  And sometime in the next 4-6 months we head to China to get her!  SO can't wait.  Could have gone yesterday.  But I know the Lord's timing is perfect.
  
 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9

"Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."  Romans 8:23  

The Growing Family

Helloooooooo friends!  It has been such a long time, and I am so sorry.  But we all know that internal processing, and then writing is not my strong point.  ;)  If I can't say it, then I have a hard time making moments in the schedule to communicate it well.  However, I have a moment of unexpected time this evening and felt like some of you needed an update.  So, I'll take it in two parts.

First, our sweet third born daughter.  Her health is doing amazing.  She is growing in stature and heart every day and I am so honored to be her mama.  We have come to a point of stability where her counts have stayed up and we know, for now, what medicines work to keep them up.

She is strong.  She runs fast, plays, hard, talks a LOT, and keeps all of us laughing.

 
Her older brother has turned 7.  And in our house, 7 is a big year.  He got to celebrate his birthday last month for 7 whole days.  And with that comes all kinds of big kid things.  He has new responsibilities, new freedoms, and new choices.  His allowance has grown slightly, and he has the freedom to spend or save (after tithing of course).  He is such a funny, smart little boy.  He has bug thoughts, and a bigger heart.  He is compassionate beyond belief.

 

My oldest born is growing faster than I can believe.  He is almost as tall as I am.  He is going away to camp this summer for the first time for an entire week!  He is determined, intelligent, a soccer player to the core, and a compassionate big brother.  I have often caught him reading to his little sister, without being asked.  And they are having a great time together!  He has good friends.  He is loyal.  And his heart is getting stronger and stronger.  I cannot believe it. :)  This picture is from January when he ran in his first 5k!  He is training to do another one this spring.  Pretty fun!

  

 The Chief and I are doing great.  We are amazed at life and marriage.  Next month, we get to celebrate 15 years of marriage!   And it's even better then it was then.  Amen and amen!