We're here!!

  Greetings from Ghana, Africa!
     We have arrived safely!! Yes, I know, this post is only about 2 weeks overdue.. but it's here now, finally.
    So many things going through my brain, and I'm not sure where to start and where to stop. The hubby is hoping this won't take too long, since he is so kindly taking care of the little girl while I do this.
    For starts, I'll give a bit of info on our traveling. All went very well, and we praise God for no major delays, and a little girl that seemed to enjoy flying! There were definately moments where we wondered to ourselves "Why, oh WHY are we doing this with a one year old?!" But it all went fairly well. We gave her some medicine that made her drousy, so on the long 10 hr flight she slept for 5 hrs or so. We were quite grateful for the bassinet we recieve, but disappointed that it had to be at our feet. Yeah, no leg room!
    We got back to our house in the evening (I don't even remember what time) and were fed supper and then unpacked most of our things. The weather was nice and we were able to sleep well, but not for too long. It gets daylight around 5:30 or 6, so we were up early. Add that to the fact that there's a moslem prayer call every morning at 4:00 that still wakes us most of the time.
   I'll give a bit of information to those of you who may not know what we are doing here, and also explain some things that will make future posts less confusing. There are two orphanage houses here on the Living Hope Ministries compound. Both houses are occupiec by a native family and 10 or 11 orphan children, plus a few biological children that the family has. The orphanages are called the Blessing house, and the Love house. Then on the same compound is another house called the Hope house; the administrator's house, where the office is, and it's kind of the headquarters of the compound. Levi and Mindy stay there, and they are the American administrators. Ema Interpreter as we call him (short for Emannuel) is the native administrator, and he is also the dad of the Blessing house. There is also a school on the property where all the orphanage children go to school, as well as some village children, a warehouse, shop, and our house, the Mercy house. A single guy from Oh, Mark, is also here for 3 mo and is doing just anything that needs done around here. Our job here is not real specific. One thing we are here for is just to be with and encourage Levi and Mindy. They are a young married couple from IN who have been here a little over a mo. It gets very lonely on a foreign mission field, and we are here to help make that less painful. Also the hubby is here to work on painting the inside of the orphanage houses. Quite the job, I assure you. He's been doing well and seems to be enjoying it. ( I say seems to be, because he doesn't have much to say about it yet. It's taking him time to get adjusted to life here, but I think it is safe to say that he is enjoying himself.) We are also helping out with the different avenues of ministry that the mission has going here.
     So far I feel like I don't have much of a mission here besides taking care of my family. I know that they are my first priority, and it has been a bit challenging to get used to the fact that the orphanage children that I so dearly love are not my main mission. I don't get to interact with them every day, but I do get to see them from a distance as they play at school. (the school is right next to our house) I enjoy hearing them play throughout the day. I go up to the orphanage houses as much as I can to play with them, and they love when I do. They love the little girl as well, and she really enjoys playing with them. I see that I can still be a blessing to them, but it's just different. I think by now I'm adjusted to the fact that it is just going to be much different than it was before. I also enjoy interacting with the native ladies that are here, although it is a bit challenging to communicate with some of them. Justina, a lady that has been with the ministry for years, lives next door to us, and she cooks lunch for the school every day, is such a joy and a blessing. She is married and has 3 girls, and she comes to our house almost every day. She has been helping me with cooking (that's a whole subject in itself) and is a blessing to be around. I love to be able to learn to know her better. And I'm really enjoying learning to know Mindy as well. I know I will miss her very much when we leave!
    Like I said, so much to write.. I should update on our Christmas activities, share some pictures and much more, but for tonight I will refrain. I shall have to put more effort to posting more often. With no computer at our house, it is challenging to always have to come up to the Hope house to use the computer, plus be sure the little girl isn't getting into things.
   Yes, it is a JOY to be here. I'm soaking it all up (well, maybe not the being out of water often, like now, the always dirty floors, the lack of cooking utensils, and such like) and know that the time will go by far too quickly. It has taken a while to adjust to the changes, but I believe that by God's grace, it is coming, as the Ghanaians say. There have been a few bumps in the journey, such as a teething little girl (toothie numbers 7 and 8 arrived since we're here!) lack of water for a few days, power outages here and there, and so on, but all these things are so good for us. We have been here for 2 weeks now, and already I could do an entire post on the things I will be much more thankful for when we get back to America. God knew I needed this trip, and even though it's not all pleasant, it's oh so good for me.
   We appreciate your prayers! Pray that the little girl will start to be happier durring the day (she has had days where almost the only time she wasn't fussy was when she was eating, or taking short naps) that we (especially me) can be gracious in our attitudes toward things like being out of water. Ok, I said that a few times in this post. Hm. Yeah, it's reality for us right now. Pray that we can continue to be able to bear the heat. So far it hasn't been bad at all, but we can tell that it keeps getting warmer each day. And pray mostly that God would continue working through us, and that we can be a blessing to many during our time here. We praise Him for His protection so far, and for what He's done for us. I would like to post some pictures and update on some of our recent activities here this week yet. But no promises.
   Blessings to all, and we wish you a happy New Year!

The Big Day

   Today is a big day. Today is the day our little girl turns one. One year; 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. It went incredibly fast! It's been quite the ride, and not without its challenging days, but oh so worth it! A year ago I wasn't sure I would ever want to go through it all again, but praise be to our Creator, who made us with the unique ability to "forget", I changed my mind. This little munchkin has brought us so much joy andtaught us many things about what's important in life. 
   Being a mommy was one of my biggest dreams ever since I can remember. It's not totally like I imagined it would be; it's better. I just LOVE being a mommy, and I just adore my little girl.
  Since our plans to leave last week fell through we were able to throw a little party for the little princess. It was such fun to have some family over to celebrate her life with us. Due to the hurry I'm in to get this posted quickly before leaving, I am only attaching a few photos, and trying to keep this short.  

 Cake pops made by my sister Gloria were favors. The little girl actually liked those better than the cake I made for her

 The little girl cousins and aunt that were so excited to celebrate with us

 cupcake cake that I made. It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, but I still thought it was cute.

The cake was not a hit at all. She did not appreciate the texture of the icing and didn't like when we stuck her hands into it. She cried when we all laughed at her.. But she soon got over it, and enjoyed eating it from small pieces from her highchair tray.

This puppy was a last min addition to her gift from us. The hubby found it while in town and picked it up. It was the first thing she opened, and she was so tickled with it. She didn't even care about the rest of the presents. She had ahold it all evening. Such a good lesson for us to be satisfied with the small things.. it was so cute to see how delighted she was with such a small gift.

   Today is a big day for two reasons. Today we go on our long anticipated mission trip. Our little girl has the privilege not many other little girls have: to fly to a foreign country on the day she turns one. The bags are packed, and we're ready to head out in an hour or so. Please continue to pray for us! A song I remember from when I was younger ran through my mind today, and it was just what I needed. Not sure what the title is, or if I have all the words right, but this is what I remember.

 Long years ago when Esther was to go before the king
her heart was filled with fear for what the task might bring.
Her uncle said this is a chance you cannot bear to miss;
you have been called for such a time as this.

  For you are called to the Kingdom for such a time as this
  God has designed that you be where you are.
  Just touch the scepter held out to let you know
  You have the call, and with it strength to go.
 
 Now God is searching for someone who will give to Him their all
 He's waiting for the chosen few to head His earnest call
 If you will hear His voice whisper softly in your ear
 Just lay aside your doubt, your worry and your fear.

  For you are called to the Kingdom for such a time as this
  God has designed that you be where you are.
  Just touch the scepter held out to let you know
  You have the call, and with it strength to go.
 
   Maybe you don't feel like you're doing much for God right now where you are, but you are where He needs you. He placed you where you are, and He will give you the strength to carry out His tasks, no matter how great or small, no matter where you are on the globe.
  Taking this song with me as we go today...
Blessings to all!

Change of plans

    The last few days have been a bit hectic around here.. with packing, last minute tasks to finish, and trying to be sure that we have remembered all the important things to take along. And hoping that our visas make it in time. We sent them out 2 weeks ago, which should have been plenty of time, but due to some complications, the process was delayed a week. We got worried when on Monday evening they still had not shipped out, and yesterday was a bit stressful as we checked the fed ex website every so often hoping it had been sent out. But by evening we still had no news. Dad has had experience with visas coming late, and was able to give us some advice. To make a long story short, we finally got ahold of the embassy this morning, only to find out that they only began working on them last Wednesday. They had off on Thursday and Friday last week, and would not have them ready to send off until the end of this week or the first of next. Sigh. So we had to do the dreaded thing: Cancel our flight for this evening and re-book for next week. I was relieved to finally know what was going to happen after having it all hang there for a few days, yet it has been quite a disappointment. Now to switch gears and face some unpacking and re-packing, scrounging around to get some food in the house again, and no motivation. After a few hours of processing it, we do feel at peace and are relieved to know that our visas will be here in time for our flight next Saturday. Next Saturday- our little girl's first birthday. Not at all the way I hoped to be spending her first birthday, packing up and heading out of the country. This all has been such a good reminder for me that God really does still have everything under control, and He will work it all out for His glory. So many people across the world are facing changes of plans in their lives today too, only wishing it would be as small a glitch as a visa, instead of the death of a loved one. When thinking of it all in that light, this delay of our trip seems so small. We have so much to be thankful for! We know there is a reason deeper than we can see for the change of our plans.. for "all things work together for GOOD to them that love God..." (Rom 8:8) 

   The day was made brighter for me by a phone call from a dear friend who is currently in Romania! :) Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we emotionally prepare for this journey!

Is this really happening??

   

 My sunroom has been takin over with totes, piles of clothes, cosmetics, beach towels, food items, and all things related to our trip coming up next week. Wait- NEXT week??? Yep, it's next week.  Four days. Wow. I'm still trying to process it all, and trying to allow the thought to register in my brain. I'm guessing it won't hit me completely until I step off the airplane, on Ghanian soil. Oh how I long for that moment!

  I find myself often throughout the day asking myself "Is this really happening?? Is one of my biggest dreams really going to come true??" Yes, it sure is. I consider it a huge privilege to be going with my little family to a place that I have grown to love so dearly. I have been so blessed with how God continues to work out the details for us, made it possible for us to take this amazing trip, and for how He has so abundantly blessed the hubby with work. But along with the sheer excitement come many fears, worries, and doubts. "How will it be as a married person, instead of single staff? Where will I fit in?" I know that I won't be able to do what I most enjoyed in Ghana: spend lots of time with the orphanage children and help teach in the school."Am I crazy taking a baby to a third world country? What if she cries the whole 10 hr flight? What if she gets malaria? What if she doesn't adapt well to the culture? What if she refuses to eat the food that is available there? What if she doesn't sleep well?" (sleeping in strange places has become a big challenge lately) We will be interacting with a young couple we have never met before. "What if we don't get along? What if they don't like us?" And then there are deeper questions. Questions I ask myself even here, where I am now in life. "I am so human, so weak. Can I really do this? Can God really use me, despite my sinfulness, selfishness, and weaknesses? What if what is required of me is too much, more than I can handle?" I don't feel like I'm at the point that I want to/need to be spiritually.. so far from it. "Can God still use me??" Plus, there's the idea of leaving Ghana again. Gotta face that too, even though it's oh so difficult. And it's so hard to think about this time. Now that I'm married and have a family, my chances of going back are very, very small. "HOW will I leave it all again? What if I never return? What if it takes me months to find my place in America again?" Ok, I can't think of it any more. Too hard.

    The journey has begun in my life, even before we begin the long journey of traveling thousands of miles across the ocean. These questions are also relevant in life here.. but they've become more real in the past few weeks. God has been telling me over and over "I will be with you, each and every step of the way. Yes, it isn't the safest place to take a baby, but I will protect her and care for her in ways not possible for you. Yes, it will be different as a married person, but you will adjust, you will find your place, and you will learn to love that place. Yes, learning to know this couple will be a big part of the journey, especially since it will be only you 2 couples and one single person (at this point) but again, I will be with you. Perhaps I will have to teach you many things about relationships on the mission field again, as I have before, but it will be worth it. Yes, you are human, weak, selfish, and all that, but again, I WILL be with you. I need you to help in My Kingdom. I can use you in more ways than you can imagine, and I will draw you to Myself. I  will never give you more than you can handle; when you are weak, then I am strong. Yes, it will be very painful to say goodbye again, but I WILL be with you, just as I was the other 3 times. You WILL adjust, find your place again, even if it takes months." 

   Oh how grateful I am that God can use me, and not just in Ghana, but wherever He places me in life! People ask me if I'm excited to go to Ghana. YES! So very excited! But my heart is still heavy with the thought. I've done this before, I've dealt with the adjustments, the culture changes, the climate changes, the painful goodbyes, and I know how difficult it is. Those times were the most difficult in my life. But they were so worth it. Completely. I'd do it all again. Going to a different country and becoming familiar with a different culture, and allowing your heart to become so attached is such a tremendous opportunity and so very worth it. If you ever get the chance, DO IT. You will never be the same.

   We would appreciate your prayers in the next few days as we pack, try to remember all the important things to take along and  important things to do before we leave. Pray for peace in our hearts, and an openness to what God has in store for us during this time. Pray that our visas will arrive before we leave. That the little girl will sleep well on the flight, and that we will be able to receive the bassinet we requested. (without it we will be holding a squirmy, crying little person who is becoming a pro at fighting sleep) And of course, pray for safety on our trip. We are grateful for every prayer you send heavenward on our behalf-we will need many of them!