Day 28 and 29 (4/14 and 4/15)

Monday April 14th was my 28th day in Malawi.


It was one of the tougher days. I have been waiting for so long for the paper work to arrive in Malawi. I had my heart and mind set on that being my ticket home. And I think its definitely a step in the right direction, but not exactly what I had hope for. I guess I was really looking for a plan and a date. I am a planner... I want to know when I am going home. I would like a date. But at this point the Lord hasn't revealed that to me and I am coming to terms with that now.


The Lord has given me and my family so many blessing through this adoption journey and specifically through this trip. My husband and I really work as a team. I feel like half of myself is missing without him. We have different strengths and weakness, and when we come together we complete the puzzle. We truly complete each other. I can see now how the Lord is using this opportunity to strengthen both Shane and I. We are learning to stand on our own and to appreciate each other even more. I can't tell you how my heart aches for my husband or how much peace I have in knowing he is providing for all the needs of our children. He has gone above and beyond to make sure that life is as normal as possible for the children while I am gone. They haven't missed an appointment or practice. I can't imagine what it would be like to be stranded on the other side of the world thinking that my kids weren't being cared for the way I would do it. Shane truly is an awesome father and husband. I marvel at the peace and calmness he has had throughout this process. I really could go on and on....oh how I miss him.


Today I had the honor of going to Thandie's home village to meet her mother Evelyn and grandmother Elizabeth. They were both very sweet. Thandie's grandmother was born in 1912. She may be the oldest woman in Malawi. The average lifespan for a woman in Malawi in 37 years old. She has more than doubled that! What a huge blessing. She is quite the character. The road to this particular village was so bumpy. The roads are dirt but because of the rain they have HUGE holes and pits. Some three feet deep. You bounce all over the place. And keep in mind there are no seat belts or carseats. My whole body aches from the bumpy roads. You literally let out grunts because the car hits these holes so hard and fast and your whole body jumps up. Its a wild ride for sure.


Another Good Samaritan related death today. I honestly have lost count. It just sickens me to watch people die everyday from diseases that are easily prevented, treated or cured in America. It is so horrible. Today the Gate Watcher at Good Samaritan got word that his step daughter died. It was either Malaria or TB, but either way they both could have been treated.


On the way home we stopped by the grocery store. We are out of food and have been without protein for a bit. I have been craving Mexican food like you wouldn't believe. I am telling you that you can try to imagine it, but you can't. You can't know how much I wanted Mexican food. So I looked for some tortillas when I was at the store. I found a small pack of flour tortillas but they were $13. Then I found a taco kit for $7 and decided it was worth the splurge...it was a rough day after all. I needed a taco! So we get the supplies and head home. As soon as we pulled up the hill I noticed it. The blackness. The complete blackness. No electricity! How would I cook my tacos?!? Oh no! Please Lord I need a taco! Mrs. Miller said it looked like I might not get my tacos tonight. I told her that I would wait all night...the electricity has to come back on...I need a taco....tonight! So I fed Savannah-Hope dinner by flashlight. And then at 8pm the Lord turned our electricity on....and we shouted praises! And quickly made some tacos. I have never enjoyed eating anything so much in all of my life! It was the best taco I have ever had. Its a good thing that no one else was around though because Mrs. Miller and I were not quiet about how much we loved our tacos. We were moaning, groaning, oohing and awing each and every bite. It truly was wonderful!


Tuesday April 15th Day 29.


I have been working on my "top...." lists.


TOP 5 PEOPLE I MISS IN AMERICA
1. Shane
2. Amelia
3. Zander
4. Zach
5.Bella


TOP 5 PEOPLE I WILL MISS IN MALAWI
1. The Twins (Sidala and Tamandani)
2. Thandie and Peace
3. My body guards (Clifford and Wilson)
4. Lloyd (my driver)
5. Good Samaritan Children


TOP FOURTEEN THINGS I TAKE FOR GRANTED IN THE US

1. A cure for common diseases
2. running water
3. clear and clean water (when the water is on in Malawi its brown)
4. electricity
5. dishwasher
6. washing machine
7. driving myself where I want to go when I want to go
8. knowing how much things cost without converting it
9. fast food
10. paved roads
11. seat belts
12. carseats
13. Mexican food
14. high speed internet

Update on coming home:

The only thing I can say for sure is that I know a 100% for sure that the Lord knows I'm ready when He is. Whenever He would like to move the obstacles out of the way and get us home, I will be there to pick up the already packed suitcase and head for the plane. Until God decides its time....we wait. And while we wait we count our blessings and praise Him for His goodness. Thanks for your prayers and encouraging comments.....they help more than you know and more than I can say. Please don't stop.