At home with family - but not really?!

We have now been home about 10 days after our first trip. So many friends and family have been supportive far beyond our expectations and for that we are truly grateful. Many have asked, "So what was it like?" My answer to them probably included some of the following thoughts:

God gave us an overwhelming sense of peace as we left our three kids for a three-week global adventure! Our time in Kazakhstan was extremely challenging and difficult while at the same time being abundantly rewarding as we met a beautiful little one-year-old boy who captured our hearts. God gave us an incredible unconditional love for him in such a short time…(of course our family HAS been praying for this unknown baby for well over a year). We fell in love with little Noah Timur only to come to the end of our three weeks and face the reality that we had to say “goodbye.” John 14:18 continued to echo in my mind… “I will not Leave you as orphans, I will come to you…” Ultimately, I don’t care about the reality of the court’s custody status. Noah IS OUR SON and we can’t wait to get the little rascal home. What’s it like? Ultimately, financial impact, the 12-hour jet-lag, the foreign food, culture and language all fade into background… Picture coming home to 3 young children whom you haven’t seen in three weeks, only to be hit with the reality that you have left one of your sons on the other side of the globe! Yes, I’ve felt better things in my life but we continue to trust in God’s timing and have been given a continued sense of peace. Having peace, however, doesn’t mean a lack of emotions as I have shed tears more days than not. After missing several weeks, it was a joy to be encouraged in worship and I leave you with a few words of one of the first songs we sang at church after being back:

"Where You send us
God, we will go
You're the answer
We want the world to know

We will trust You
When You call our name
Where You lead us
We'll follow all the way..." -Chris Tomlin

Continue to pray with us as we await our second trip for our court date in about 5 weeks (Lord willing). ~Shane