Hey Y’all!
Well, we have been over here for 3 weeks, and less than one week left. We will be flying home on Friday!!
This trip has been so completely different than in December. We have been super busy and enjoying the beautiful summer weather over here. (Yes, I took that picture of poppies!) :)
One of our favorite days was spent at the most beautiful lake on the planet. Seriously. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
We spent hours fishing and cooking out with S-‘s former foster family. They have become like family to us, and we have enjoyed spending lots of time with them.
The boys had fun trying to catch a fish with Cy.
We didn’t catch anything, but we still had fun.
The boys are loving spending time with their new sister.
They are so patient and kind with her. Her behavior sometimes requires a little extra patience, but they are troopers! :) They love her soooo much!
On the way home from fishing, the most beautiful rainbow appeared right across the road from a field of poppies! Y’all it was like something out of a movie!
We just had to stop our cars and take some pictures, and I am so glad we did!
One of my favorite pictures is the one I took of S- with her foster mom, Anita, standing by the rainbow. Anita is a Godly woman who loves Jesus with all of her heart. For years she has loved S- and prayed for her to find a forever family. God is His goodness reminded us of His faithfulness and love for His children through His beautiful creation of that rainbow.
On another day, we went with the foster family to one of the most amazing parks I have ever seen. I could never get it the credit due, but it was simply beautiful.
The forest was full of gnome villages (fairy tale style) in which the kiddos could climb in and out of.
We walked for hours through the forest from village to village. It was magical.
Each of the gnome homes had actual little pieces of furniture and rooms.
S- climbed up into this windmill, and I took snapped a pic.
We also went into a little “shop” where they sold handmade items. How cute are these little gnomes?!
The other place that we have spent a LOT of time at is the beach on the Baltic sea. We have had fun playing in the water and sand. It is a very short walk from our home, so we go there almost every day!
The past two Sundays, we had the HUGE blessing of attending a Baptist church with the foster family. The pastor was originally from Michigan, so he preached the sermon in English for us, and used an interpreter for his congregation. It was super special!
I cannot tell you how it blessed my heart to hear “How great thou art” and “Count your blessings” in a foreign language. I also loved hearing prayers lifted to our Father in another language. I was reminded how God hears ALL of our prayers no matter what language we speak. And I was also reminded how God is God everywhere! He is the maker and ruler of this world!
How he brought our family and our sweet girl together is truly a miracle!
We have been having a wonderful time, and eating a LOT of ice cream, but we are ready to come home! We miss Luke and Jonathan terribly.
We have to get S-‘s passport this week, and then we will fly home on Friday. Your continued prayers are so appreciated!
WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
So happy for you all………
Thank you, Mary!
So happy to hear you’ve been enjoying yourselves and have had such wonderful people supporting you. What a blessing to find an English speaking pastor! Enjoy your last days and praying for safe travel. Prayers also for S’s adjustment to her new(wonderful) life ahead.
Going to church twice while we were here was two of my favorite days! It was so good to sit in God’s presence and worship with people from another country. :)
Made my week!!!
Mwah! :)
I’m so glad that you and your family have had such great experiences and such lovely scenery! You will really enjoy getting back home to your older boys! I’ll be praying. Happy 4th to all of you!
Yes! I miss Jonathan and Luke sooooo much! Can’t wait to see them! Thank you for your prayers. :)
I can hardly wait for you to say you are HOME! Yes, the Lord truly has been with you! So glad to hear that she had a Godly foster mother that has been taking care of her!
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God!” Romans 8:28
Amen! Yes, her foster family has been such a blessing to all of us!
Wonderful post! Continued prayers for the adjustments ahead for your family. I’m so happy for all of you!
Thank you!
So happy to hear all the joy you are experiencing and soon you will ALL be coming home. Praying for God’s continued blessings over all of you. Tell that sweet angel she has many aunts and uncles praying for her and looking forward to her coming home.
Yes! She certainly does! What a blessing! Thank you. :)
That is beautiful in so many ways. What a miracle from God. So happy for you guys. The Love of God is there. We will be praying you home.
Isaiah 41:10.
Thank you, Pam!
I have fallen sadly behind in my blog reading as I have been out of town mucho over the past two months but your posts of this journey are the ones I read before any one else’s . I was so devastated for you in December and am celebrating every moment of this second chance. Sending prayers of gratitude and continued safety and strength for all of you.
Thank you so much, Leslie! We treasure your prayers. ;)
Glad to hear what a wonderful trip you are having as a family. The rainbow pictures are all simply a treasure!
Thank you, Becky! It was so magical! And truly a blessing from God. :)
What blessings and what a beautiful place. Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you and your family. I hope the rest of your time there runs smoothly and y’all have a safe trip home.
Thank you, Rebecca!
Happy tears for you, your family, and your beautiful new daughter!!
Thank you, Chrystal!
Enjoy your remaining time there. The rainbow/poppies photo is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us and reminding us that no matter where we are, God is there also.
🙏
Thank you, Ginger! We have certainly felt God’s presence with us throughout this trip. It has been such a blessing. :)
I was so happy to see this in my inbox – I know so many of us have been checking in for the update. I am so happy your journey has come this far – definitely a lot of happy tears here too.
Praise God for his blessings and continued prayers for a safe journey home!! xoxo
Thank you, Claire! We are almost there! 3 more days until we fly home. yay!!
Such a beautiful chapter in your “new” life. God is surely pouring out blessings.
Thank you, Carla! We are so thankful for this new blessing that God has brought into our lives. :)
Such a beautiful visit you have had and I know your family at home is waiting for you with open arms. The excitement we all feel as we read your story is growing every day. Blessing to all of you and safe travels.
Thank you, Dorothy! We are so excited!!!
So happy your visit is this time is filled with so much happiness! Blessings and prayers for your journey home and this new beginning for your family!!
Thank you, Sandy!
What a beautiful story! I love that magical village – so much fun!
Thank you, Lana!
So incredibly blessed to read of your adventures! God is sooo awesome and I am continuing to lift you and your family up in my prayers for the processing of your daughter’s passport and safety in your travel home. To God be the Glory, GREAT things He has done!
Thank you, Cherie!
I’ve been following you all on Instagram, you’ve been having a wonderful time with S~ in her native country before you bring her back home, I enjoy all the photos!
The poppy fields have Beautiful! You’ll have to put “The Wizard of Oz” on for S~ when she get home so you both can say the lines and remember the Poppies.., “Poppies. Poppies. Poppies will put them to sleep. Sle-ee-p. Now they’ll sle-ee-p.” hehe
Wizard of OZ is one of my favorite movies, and I felt like I was in the movie when we were taking pictures in the poppies! ;)
Wow! what a story you are creating and what a lucky little girl. Blessings abundant for an uneventful flight home.
Thank you!
Praying this last week goes smoothly and you all will be together soon in the USA! Hugs!
Thank you,Dianne! We got the Orphan’s Court approval today for her to go home with us to America! 3 more days! :)
so glad to hear your having a great time there and making new memories.
Praying for safe travel as you bring your new daughter back home to the US!
God is Good!
Thank you, Dianne!
This is such wonderful news! Prayers for all of you.
Thank you, Stacey!
Need her passport? She is able to be you always now? How wonderful. She will have the best parents and brothers.
Hi Jody! Yes, she is coming home with us! :)
What a blessing! Thank you for sharing your incredible journey. Wonderful to see God’s hand in this and reminds us that being a part of His family knows no boundaries. Can’t wait to see what He has planned for your new family.
Thank you, Deb!
Continued prayers —
Thank you, Peggy!
So happy for all of you. God is good! Know you are anxious to be home and pray for safe and fast journey home–thank you for sharing your life and all the beautiful pictures.
Thank you, Diane!
Beautiful testimony all around! Praying for safe travels and smooth passage as you prepare to come HOME!
Love you, Beth! Can’t wait to hug your neck!!!
Hey Traci, this is Carla Dixon, Courtney’s old room mate Alex’s mom. I am so thrilled with the nearness of your adoption success. What a blessing the entire family will be on your precious little girl!
Question – what app do you use to turn your photos into drawings. I love that. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Carla! So great to hear from you! I just use a “pencil sketch” app on my phone. There are lots of them to chose from. :)
I am so happy to hear all of your wonderful news! What an exciting time for your family. So thrilled for all of you!! Happy 4th!
Thank you, Hilary!
Tears of joy…so happy that He is in control, and working this all out for you. Blessings!
Truly amazing how this has worked out; God’s will is always better than whatever we often want in the moment. (Something that impatient people like me tend forget.). You’re story is so inspiring!
After seeing you gnome adventure, I know right where you are and it sure is a beautiful place to have a summer full of adventures! Your boys are so lucky to experience this…best of luck this week & safe travels!
Thank you, Lisa! It has been a wonderful visit here, but we are so excited to be back home soon! ;)
Only a few more days and you can start your life as a complete family! Praying that all the final arrangements necessary to bring your daughter home will go smoothly and that on Friday, you will all be flying home. Safe travels and God’s blessings!
Thank you, Norma! The Orphan’s Court approved her to go home with us on Friday, now we just have to pick up her passport! Almost there! ;)
Being a forever family is a indescribable blessing! So glad your time in coutry before coming home went well. Hope it makes the transition a bit easier.
Thank you, Linda!
What a welcomed update…you all have been in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I pray for your safety and travel mercies as you begin your journey home. Love to you all until next time…
Thank you so much, Linda! LOVE YOU!
Loved this post! Beautiful pics! God is So Great! Blessings and safe travel home!
Thank you!
So Happy for your Faimly!! I know that this has been a blessing for you all to share in S’s country and this will always be the start of her new life with her new family!! Now you will always be able to share your wonderful memories of her country with her over and over again!! But the bottom line here is we want GOD to finish out your journey there and bring you home safely to her forever home here in the USA! We here in blog land want you all HOME!!! Please keep us following along in this journey as you feel like family to me even though I never meet you all. I know that GOD got everything ready and is going to continue to make this a smooth ride as you all adjust to your new life as a FAIMLY!!!! Even if it takes alittle extra patience!! And that’s what I will pray for also. Love to you all!! Can’t wait to continue to follow along in your journey!!! Friends from Hagerstown, Maryland!! Shawn
Thank you so much, Shawn! We cannot wait to get home too! I appreciate your prayers and your sweet words so much! We are so thankful for the “online family” that God has blessed us with!
So happy for you guys! That little village in the park was so cute :) I’m hoping your trip home on Friday goes smoothly.
Traci- It blesses my heart to hear this trip is going so well! When I stopped to consider the symbolism of the rainbow and the poppies, I couldn’t help but smile at how the Lord uses things like this to remind us of His goodness, faithfulness, and plans.
Praying the rest of your visit goes well and for a safe trip home.
Many Blessings!
I am sincerely happy for you and your family, Traci! Your blog was the very first blog I ever read, quite a few years ago now! And to follow along on this special journey is very special! Will be praying for a safe flight home and as your little girl settles in smoothly with your family! xo
Rejoicing with you over the goodness of God and answered prayer!
You are a very cute family! :) You had the perfect vacation. I envy you!