It’s been a busy few days for my family and I am so ridiculously far behind on life. Please forgive me for all the unanswered e-mails. I just don’t seem to have enough hours in my day in this busy season we’re in.

We just got home from a few wonderful days with friends in Illinois. We shared our hearts in a church out there last Sunday. Bigger hearts are hard to find. For a small, country church in corn country, they sure do know how to love extravagantly. We were so encouraged as God used His sweet people to remind us He is exceedingly, abundantly able…no matter how big the mountain may seem. Funny how that happens-we went to encourage them and came away the ones who were so very encouraged.

It was such a joy to be able to stay with old friends who are always so willing to welcome us with arms wide open-no matter how many children have been added to us or how many needs we have. Such unconditional love. We love you so much, Lombardo and Rademacher families! Thank you for being beautiful displays of the love of Christ on the earth.

And getting to catch up with my friend, Deb, just made my day last Sunday. Deb and I have been friends for a long time, but this was the first time that we were able to hug in person. Such a precious gift to me!

Our kids did so well for traveling a total of 32 hours in the car. Even our little ones amazed us.

Group lovies.

We stopped along the way and got the wiggles out. A lot.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” ~~ Psalm 113:3

It’s crazy to think that we only have about eight and a half weeks left in America. Surreal, really. Time seems to be flying by. We still have so much to do as we count down to our departure date of May 25. God will redeem our time and we know from many moves that somehow it always works out just fine. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow because He is already there. And so we won’t.

“Run Hailee! Run Harpy!”

We are so, so thankful to everyone who has partnered with us as we move back to Africa. The campaign that Pure and Faultless is running for us-30K in 30 days-promises to be a blessing. We are so grateful for every contribution and every partner who is linking arms with us to see God’s Kingdom come to the least of these in South Africa. Every dollar is just such beautiful seed that God can multiply.

Fundraising for other people has truly always been such a joy to my heart. I absolutely love, love, love to help in some small way with what God has given me here. But my goodness, when it comes to doing it for ourselves, it’s a whole different story. I know that everyone who has fundraised for an adoption understands that. Asking for people to partner with us is one of the most stretching things ever for both of us. Humbling, to say the least.

But every time I feel like shrinking back, God brings them to mind.

They are so worth it! Each life is worth it!

For them, there is not much that I would not do in this life. And so we press forward.

And we trust with everything in us.

Because the journey of faith was never, ever meant to be easy.

But always, always worth it!

Keeping an eternal perspective and reminding myself daily why.

Oh, this girl! She just melts my heart. Who would ever have imagined two years ago that she would be so content to travel so far in a car, be in strange places all the time, and still be such a happy little blessing. Certainly not me. How puny my faith is sometimes! I forget how big my God is. I forget that nothing is impossible.

My sweet teenager is living proof that with God, ALL things truly are possible.

Bath time beauty.

Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for standing with us. And thank you for choosing to journey with my family. We are so grateful for your love and support.