November~ good riddance!!

The Thanksgiving season has been a mixed up season for me. On the one hand, I'm glad to have built in reminders of thankfulness and excuses to get together with friends and family (we had FIVE, count 'em FIVE Thanksgiving feasts this year!~Yum!) However, in the past few years, it's been overshadowed by the memories of losses that occurred in my life this time of year. Thanksgiving week is the anniversary of several different deeply painful things. For example, the courts turned over custody of two of our foster kids to their relatives that week a few years ago. Another year Thanksgiving week is when we welcomed some other kids that we miss dearly now. I don't want to get into details, but there Thanksgiving week these past 5 years has been a complete contrast in joy and pain on oh so many levels.

This year, I was faced with all the above plus I was in yet another car wreck. I stopped at a red light and got rear ended a week before Thanksgiving. The car that hit me was totaled and the impact hurt my back quite a bit, so I ended up being evaluated. In the middle of Frank-the-firefighter checking me, my body started to shake uncontrollably head to toe. This frightened me and thus, added me freaking out to the scenario. And did I mention my back was hurt? Well, shaking just added to the pain too. Frank had his work cut out for him. God bless him~ He stuck with me and talked me through the episode until the shaking subsided. Any of you who've dealt with me when I'm hurt and scared, you know this is no easy task.

Travis finally got to the scene, but we agreed since my life wasn't in danger, he should stay and deal with the cops and getting the van released, then meet me later at the hospital. This sounded good in theory, until I shook again in the ambulance. Then they wheeled me into the hospital room and prepped me for X-rays. I had to remove any metal, so I had to be in a lovely gown. Frank stayed with me through the prep period, and kept talking to ensure I wouldn't spazz again. I was thankful for his help, but he said goodbye as I went into the X-ray room, saying he was still on duty and had to go.

After SEVEN painful positions for X-rays were over, I was once again in a dark hospital room. There were 3 wrecks in our city within an hour that night, so the State Trooper took much longer than expected to get to Travis.

So there I lay: cold, frightened, shaky, in pain, and completely alone. :(

Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Thursday night. Much to my surprise, after a few minutes, Frank walked back into my room. He said he found out Travis would be delayed and he knew I'd need someone, so he came back for me. He was a sight for sore eyes and balm to my soul. He could only stay with me an extra 10 minutes or so b/c we had a second set of X-rays to do, but that courtesy went miles in my mind that night.

So as I bid another November good riddance, I'm still as mixed up as ever. This season also added its contrasts to my experience. The car wreck on the con, but Frank definitely helped balance the scales. Here's to all those out there who go the extra mile to care for strangers. This season I'm thankful that there are people like you in the world!

25 days!

Time is flying! We can't believe in just 25 short days, we'll be meeting Evija for the first time. Things have been challenging over here with paperwork being more than we originally understood and, of course, several glitches along the way. There were even a few weeks when we thought we wouldn't be able to meet deadlines, but it finally looks like everything is in order. We just have one last 3.5 hour training this Sunday and we'll be good to proceed!

I just found out Evija's last name this morning. I can't share the name, but I can share the significance. As soon as I read it, I was floored. She's named after a type of tree that's federally protected in Latvia. It's strong and made to endure hardship, yet thrive and provide rest for others. I felt like God allowed me some insight into her life and personality through her name. Being an orphan, she's already endured so much, yet she's willing to take risks (coming to America to stay with us) that will broaden her future and she has already been a blessing to those around her in the orphanage. I like this girl already! Also, her first name means "reliable, and stable, yet wanting to know the heart of others." The orphanage director's description of her agrees with her names. I know it's dangerous to put expectations on a person, as we're all human; but I believe Miss Evija will be a good match for our family and we're all looking forward to meeting her.

However, 25 days is not a lot of time, especially when you add everything else into the mix. There is much to accomplish on our end in that short amount of time. I just got permission for some time off work with one job and I'll be meeting with my other employer asap to agree on a schedule. There are also a swirl of other details to be tackled and a few unknowns in the mix. Please pray for favor and direction as we continue to move forward! :) Thank you!!