Next stop Ghana

Only 5 more days until we depart for Ghana. We fly direct from the US into Ghana... no stops in London this time. (Did I mention I got a pedicure in London... sounds kind of hoity toity, but it wasn't!)

I don't know how long the flight is because, in my current state of mind, I lack the ability to calculate time zones with flight time... so after staring blankly at the itinerary for a while I decided it might be about 11 or 12 hours in the air. But who knows. AND I also know that it is less time than to Ethiopia. Which is all I have to compare it to anyway. So I know that the flight to Ghana is shorter than the flight to Ethiopia. I know I will make it... maybe a little tired and smelly, but we will all make it!

Going back to Ghana. Seems more surreal right now than having 5 children. My parents live 5 hours away and sometimes I go 8 or 10 weeks without seeing them. I am returning to Ghana in less than a month from when I left. I think my fear is seeing all my friends again and feeling like it will only be a short time until I can visit with them next... but it will be long. They will change much before I see them again. And Ghana will change much. I hope we all change for good. I hope well all become better and improved in some way. I pray for it.

I feel that this trip to Ghana will be like our trip to Hosanna in Ethiopia.
http://beforeiknewyou.blogspot.com/2008/10/post-script-ethiopia-changes-me.html

I already feel torn to take my daughters from the beautiful culture of Ghana. And Ghana truly has raised them. They are not babies. They will remember Ghana. And Ghana will remember them.

This journey to Ghana has two faces. The face of the beautiful adoption of my girls. The joy of my growing family. Being only days from finally having my whole family together under one roof. All of my children can be in my arms at once. What a wonderful dream turn reality. And yet, this journey has the face of good-bye. I must return now to my friends and say good-bye. Yes, I will return to Ghana again some day. But not in one month, or two. It will be farewell for much longer than I would like.

Is it possible that my heart can be broken and made whole at the same time?

I miss the smiling faces of my girls (and the sometimes not so smiling). I miss little Eden Evelyn telling me "mommy, don' kiss me". And Tirzah Syliva telling me to "Mum, go bath". I hope familiarity has been growing in their heart as it has mine. I cannot wait for our reunion. I am so glad that Trent and I can go together and enjoy the reuniting side-by-side.


I remind myself to breathe and then I pray for continued trust and strength.


Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. - unknown

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6