It had been 3.5 years since our family had been back to the USA. It was time, given all the different circumstances we had just walked through. Our adoption is still not final after MORE THAN 2.5 YEARS in the process. We are in it for the long haul & she is worth it :) We arranged for little Liberty to stay with dear friends as her new school year began and we headed off for the USA. Trent stayed behind to be with Liberty and joined us for just over a month later on.
While stateside we were so blessed with many coming alongside the vision the Lord has given us. For a decade now we knew the Lord has given us a ministry base and now we are able to begin this leg of our journey with the provision to get things started. This will enable us to take in more kids who have been broken, abused and/or abandoned. We are so thankful to God for all He has done!!!
We also were able to catch up with many different loved ones and supporters. Trent and I both were able to see his grandfather and my grandmother - both 94 years old! We got to love on and spend time with my (Amys) parents & brothers families. Precious time with Trents family side of the family too. We were not able to see everyone though 😕
Cancer kinda takes center stage like that. You don't want to miss a minute away from your loved ones. You want to treasure your time together. You become selfish with your time. But I think it is a good selfish. One most understand.
During our trip home Dad went critical, or so we thought. We were given the advise to go to hospice. We were also given the counsel to fight as long as you can. We had more up and down days. I battled my fears and fought for faith through each one.
This whole trip the Lord has been speaking to me. He has been encouraging me to live for Him more than ever.
This life is yet a vapor!
We aren't living for our vision. We aren't living for ourselves. We are living for Jesus, whatever the cost.
We want to expand the Kingdom for Christ by doing our part. I am so excited to be a part of equipping these kids to walk in their God given destiny!!!
The future is exciting!!!
And my Dad has cancer. This breaks my heart into a million pieces! I live on the other side of the world and my Dad has cancer.
"Remember Amy, this world is yet a vapor!!! Remember Amy, you have eternity with your Daddy!!!" These are the things I have to remind myself.
"What about my Mom!?!?!? She is exhausted and how can I not be here and help her?!?!?" I ask the Lord.
"I am with her. My grace is sufficient for you. My grace is sufficient for her. She will grow in me in ways she couldn't otherwise. Your mom is my daughter. You will be together for eternity". I hear spoken into my heart.
Peace comes flooding in.
So while I have the peace of God most of the time, I am still a girl that loves her dad beyond words. I battle between knowing the "right things" to say and walk in that. The truth is freeing, but pain and heart ache still are felt. I believe in miracles and I still hold out hope for one for my dad. There is no instruction book for dealing with cancer. The only right way I can work out is on my knees. Trusting the Lord in ways I can't control or even understand. He is faithful. He is a good Father.
So bring on the next leg of this journey! I am excited and refueled to return to the mission field. And Lord, steady my heart for the part that aches with leaving my loved ones back in the USA. Comfort and strengthen their hearts too ❤️
