Two Different Daughters In Two Different Countries!

Yes...you read the title right! As of today, we have two different daughters in two different countries! It's hard to imagine but it is a special time in our lives and we are so glad that love, prayers and thoughts extend beyond geographical boundaries!

Yesterday our oldest daughter, Rachel, boarded a plane and headed to Haiti where she will work with a mission for the next eight days. She plans to work in the health clinic, orphanage, perhaps the pharmacy and in other areas where the visiting group will assist. Yesterday's plane rides took her from the Cincy airport to Texas and then to Florida. This morning she boarded another plane and has now reached Haiti. Following a lengthy bus ride today, they will arrive at the mission and begin their work. I never imagined as I carried her inside my body twenty-one years ago that someday I would watch her fly into the skies to visit and work in another country. But it happened anyway and now we wait...and watch...and pray...and anticipate the day we are reunited with Rachel.

Three years ago, Tim and I turned in our application to adopt a daughter from China. Over 25 months ago, our Dossier was logged in China's adoption system. Now...we wait...and watch...and pray...and anticipate the day we are united with JennaBeth (and maybe EmmaKate). We can hardly wait to have our entire family together...finally.

It's not easy having our hearts in so many places at once. But it's an amazing time to watch precious friends, family...and even strangers bless our lives in only a way God could orchestrate! As Rachel met two other college friends at the airport she would travel with, Tim and I met their parents. It was so neat. We quickly learned that we had mutual friends and it seemed we had known our new friends for a very long time! We've already exchanged emails and cell phone numbers and there is no doubt that God provided such blessings for some parents who are missing their daughters a great deal! I must also mention that we recently learned of some friends we went to college with are involved in the mission trip group, as well. The husband already met Rachel this morning and his wife is keeping me updated as she hears from him on the trip. They have been so encouraging and we thank God for the amazing blessing they are as we experience having our daughter in Haiti during this time. The blessings have just been so abundant and our hearts are deeply touched.

Yesterday as we hugged our daughters goodbye before they walked away, we noticed a retired couple sitting closeby. They smiled and made some precious comments about our situation and we quickly learned they had just arrived from Dallas, Texas. The lady was crying with us as we told our children goodbye and the gentleman kept us laughing...and encouraged. Before our ways parted, this precious couple reminded us that "God is watching over them." I have no doubt that this couple was a blessing from God, as well. In general conversation with them later, they heard someone mention that Tim and I will fly to China in the future for our baby girl. It was amazing. This couple smiled enthusiastically and told us that someone in their church in Texas had just brought a little girl home from China! They were so excited for us. Again...another blessing along the way...even from strangers. I may never know their names but I shall not forget their kindness.

Today our son spent his last day as a high school junior. When August arrives, he will begin his senior year and I'm already wondering where the time went. It seems like just yesterday I held him in my arms for the first time and thanked God for our precious family...Tim, our daughter and now our son. Wow...how quickly time passes and things change. Micah made a precious statement today that I didn't expect to come from a 17-year-old guy. He told me that as soon as we get the referral picture of our JennaBeth, he wants to put her picture in his wallet! Of course, I immediately responded by telling him how sweet he was for saying that. He looked at me and said..."why wouldn't I, Mom? She's my sister!" What an amazing family we have. I can hardly wait to see Micah and Rachel spoiling their little sister/s! It's going to be great. We are indeed so very blessed.

So life continues to be a wonderful journey. Sometimes it's difficult...but it's always blessed. It took our faith to an entirely new level to watch our daughter board a plane and then watch it soar into the sky taking her out of our reach...and our country. But we have learned so much already. On our way home last night, Tim and I passed a Church sign that said "Faith is not believing that God can...it is knowing that He will!" I have certainly witnessed evidence of that recently! So many reminders through so many people have repeatedly confirmed that truth.

As our oldest daughter spends the next nine days away from us in Haiti (eight working there and one day traveling back home), as our youngest daughter/s remain in China until we bring her home, and as we are separate from loved ones far and near....I thank God for each of you. Thank you for the prayers, love, encouragement, laughter, tears and life you share with us. Thank you for caring. Thank you for sharing our journey. Thank you for being such blessings along the way...no matter where we may be. May you be blessed as abundantly as you have been a blessing to us.
Cherishing love without boundaries...
Terri & family