Praying, Playing, and Practicing Patience

And there's my alliteration for today. Hope you enjoy. :)

But yes, that's what our lives are filled with for now. We've been here just over 3 weeks, and to be honest, we probably have a good 4 weeks left before we'll be able to head home. Being here is not bad. In fact, most days it's really good! I'm learning more French (but please don't to converse with me...it won't work), and the girls are learning more English (please do try to converse with them when you're given the opportunity!). We're also learning what it means to be family, which is invaluable. We have many ups and downs...and sometimes the downs are REALLY low. But every day I see new growth and the hand of the Lord at work.

The girls are learning that having a mother doesn't mean they will get everything their little hearts desire. This lesson is a particularly difficult one, so I no longer take them with me when I go to the market. And all of us are happier for it.

I'm learning to pick and choose my battles. A lot of things that I'd really like to pick on, I'm letting slide. There will be plenty of time to deal with the little things later, when there isn't such a language barrier to hurdle. To behavior that is unacceptable, but that is done in a playful and joking manner and mostly likely simply out of ignorance to social rules, I'm learning to respond jokingly and playfully as I provide correction. I'm totally a rule-follower at heart and there are days when I'm stretched to the limit as I let minor rule after minor rule be broken and focus solely on the ones that need to be addressed now. After years of being in an orphanage, I cannot expect my girls to automatically know how to act as part of a family again.

You know the beautiful and amazing thing? They are responding! They are learning! And they are changing. :) They are learning what it means to be daughters. What it means to be sisters. And eventually they will learn what it means to be granddaughters, great-granddaughters, nieces, cousins, and friends. They are also learning that discipline does not need to be harsh. That I still love them, even when meting out consequences for poor choices. And yes...all of this is very good. More and more I believe this bonding and learning together is probably the biggest reason the Lord brought me here early. And though I really am in a hurry to get home, I am trying hard not to rush the things the Lord is doing in us here. 

Our Christmas Tree

And really, my hurry to get home is not getting us anywhere. After 2 weeks of waiting, Kaiya's adoption was finally signed. Now, after another week of waiting, her new birth certificate is supposed to be ready to be picked up on Monday (it was originally supposed to be ready this past Monday, then Wednesday, then Thursday...). The birth certificate is the last item needed before her passport can be issued. From what I understand, her passport is basically just hanging out, waiting for this precious piece of paper. If we can submit the birth certificate on Monday (assuming it actually IS ready then), we should be able to get the picture for her passport taken on Tuesday and then perhaps even pick up that precious little booklet on Wednesday or Thursday. As soon as that passport is in hand, it's over to the US Embassy for me to drop off all the documentation for her US visa. After that, it could be a couple more weeks of waiting for the Embassy to do their investigation and issue her visa. And then maybe another week of waiting for the Congolese immigration office to issue exit permits for both girls. And then we're on a plane, heading back to home sweet home!

Thank you for your continued prayers. We desperately need them! While life here is good, it's also hard. And expensive! For those reasons alone, I hope we run into no more delays. Of course, I also have a precious 3 year old who's missing Mommy, not to mention how desperately I'm missing her and the rest of our family and friends at home. Please pray that we will cherish the days we have here and that the Lord will do what He wants/needs to in us while we're here. But if you also feel led to beg for His merciful hand to bring us home quickly, my heart continues to long for that as well.