Into deeper water of Omaha?

We arrived in Omaha an hour late. (1:20) The Minneapolis to Omaha leg was the only one with any time delays. Pretty amazing really. As soon as I heard the landing gear coming out near Omaha it became pretty difficult to contain all the emotion (who am I kidding, when has it been easy to contain?) BUT, it had been kind of a long stretch of just trying to get through it in order to get home...so the emotion had been put on hold for a while. It felt like we were all on survival mode just to make it through the travel. I don't recommend really long air plane travel, it is tough. But it does the job. We'd still be on a boat.

The airport welcome was sweet. I don't think I'll ever leave my kids for a month again. We may leave for a month, but they will go with. : ) (Just for the record, I don't regret going without them...there were so many times I was greatful we didn't have anyone to consider)

Everyone Lena and Alla were asking about was at the airport to greet them. I posted a photo of the adopted kids they know in the Omaha area....so fun.

Bringing the girls into our physical home was wonderful. To have them in our hearts and to have committed to them is one thing, a huge thing, but to bring them to the place we can offer them what we set out to offer them, that is satisfying. The house was a bit of a buzz with Bahbuskas and sisters. Lena and Alla retreated to unpack and set things up in their room. I was so happy they felt comfortable enough to settle in. The bedroom quickly became theirs. I am happy they have a spot to call their own. A place they can go to escape, to get peace, to listen to music. I am imagining they have not experienced a space quite so secure. They may miss the number of friends surrounding them 24/7, that is one thing the internot offers, but here they will always have enough blankets, enough clothes and enough food. They will have a whole family who cares about how they are and they will have medical care.

Speaking of medical care. We already had our first dr. visit as Lena's ear really was acting up. I got my wish...Lena has started on antibiotics. They have also begun the lab work to check for "international" issues. Michelle M. was so helpful translating for the Dr. and the needle holders (poor Alla, she is not brave about needles!)

Last night, after arriving home and settling in a bit, was just so fun. Watching the girls play and run around and practice English and Russian together. It all feels so easy and natural. Lienna Hanson helped the oldest VP girls make labels for everything in the house. The girls wrote the English and Lienna wrote the Russian. It's been helpful to me actually. In the kitchen when I'd forgotten where the cups were I just read the label...When I look at the ceiling and don't know what it is, I just read the sign and the walls, lamps, fireplace, doors....there is one right here, it says this is a computer...go figure.

Our journey in Ukraine was really something. In the last day I have looked at Lena and Alla sitting on our furniture, in our house living the life I'd hoped for them and I just marvel at God. He is just so amazing. To plant ideas like this and to get the job done.

When we walked in the house for the first time we came in through the garage. That path takes you right to the side of the refrigerator where all the Ukrainian hopes photos are posted. Alla walked in and just stopped and gasped. I have no real idea what was going through her mind, but part of her thoughts had to contain a wonder at these people who have been looking at pictures of her for so long. Long before she even knew we existed. We had our sights set on her while she still just hoped for a family. Makes you think of God doesn't it? God knows us before we know him, as Terry Meeuwsen states in her book "The God Adventure", "He is thinking about me" she goes on to list other insights we get of God while looking at adoption, "He paid the price, He accepts us, then cleans us, and He gives me a new name"

When we met Lena and Alla in person for the first time I was absolutely amazed at the love that we had for these two girls. Amazed. Where did that come from? It gave me just a fraction of a sense of what God feels for us. It still dumbfounds me how God loves us, but it is a bit clearer to me now. I understand how God can see us in our big messes, see us with the dirtiest feet ever, smelling so much of the world we live in and not care one bit about the dirt and the smell. All he wants is for us to say yes to his offer of letting him pay the price for us, not asking us to do ANYTHING, just say yes when we are asked, "do you want to be adopted?" Then He gives us a new name, his child, and cleans us up in His time.

This journey in Ukraine was thrilling. I can't remember a time where God had my attention for such an extended period. Basically we were a captive audience! A week here, a weekend there, those times are amazing to see God act. But a whole month. Wow. This is the first time I've gotten into water this deep. Deep enough that I really couldn't touch, had to just swim. I highly recommend it. "The God Adventure" introduced me to the deep water concept. The book quotes Ezekiel 47:1-5 where the image of a stream flowing beneath the Temple is described. "There I could see the stream flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he led me along the stream for 1,750 feet and told me to go across. At that point the water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and told me to go across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feelt, and the river was too deep to cross without swimming." Meeuwsen applies this passage by challenging us to "let go of what is known and familiar to grab hold of the unknown purposes of God. God is calling us out into the deep water, where the current of His Holy Spirit guides us, prods us, and moves us along. It's a place where we can't touch bottom and can't be sure what lies around the curve ahead." Her book contains a story of adopting 3 girls from Ukaraine, but her challenge to go out into deep water can apply to anything God is calling you to do.

I in no way think our journey is over. I know the dependence on God we learned while in Ukraine is what he expects of us now that we have arrived in Omaha, seeming dry land.

I want to thank you for joining us on this journey. When you go on yours I hope it will be the kind of journey for which you will be able to set up a blog for support. Journeys are the most fun when others go along. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.