Last year, I had a blog for our second adoption. I did it so that I could share the journey but also to document it. This year, we are on another journey. Many people have asked me if I am going to do a blog again. Thought about it.. Then decided- yes. I want to share this journey but also to document it for us- the amazing path that God continues to lay out for us.
So Why Greenville??
Let me back up a couple of years. Almost 4 years ago, Jason and I took a huge leap of faith and began the process to help Owaldi get to America and to join our family. We had never dealt with student visas and immigration before. We had never had anyone live with us before. And we didn't know anything about Owaldi. I didn't know who he was, what his character was like, or how this was all gonna work. What I did know is that when Jason and I had a brief conversation about it - there was an undeniable peace. Literally, our conversation went like this: (Jason)- I think we should house a foreign exchange student from Doulos in the DR. (Me)- Yes I think so too. And peace washed over us. We never talked about how it would impact our lives, how it financially affect us, how this would totally change our lives. We just had an indescribable peace and knew this is what we are to do. I can't explain it.
(Sidenote: Owaldi lived with us for 3 1/2 years. We enjoyed him being apart of our family. We learned so much about so many things. We had trials- it wasn't all a bed of roses- but it was an experience that changed our lives. I wouldn't have traded it for anything)
This was the first time Jason and I stepped out in blind faith. We learned to lean on God, listen to His small quiet voice. We were so richly blessed. Our faith grew deeper and deeper. Our marriage grew deeper and deeper. And we desire to submit to God's plan, giving him the control. What a ride. Filled with many ups and downs.
Now shortly after Owaldi came, Jason and I both came to each other with the same voice. We believe God was telling us that after Owaldi graduated, we would be moving. Where to- had no idea. We prayed for years. Many different thoughts crossed our minds about where we were to go to- was it the DR? was it Taiwan? was it North Carolina? was it Florida? was it near home in Kent? We tried to figure it out for years. But never had peace about it. So we continued to pray and wait.
In February 2013, as I praying, I heard a small voice whisper "Greenville". Now I had only heard of Greenville SC because my parents sometimes flew into that airport when they went to visit my sister in Asheville NC. Never been there. Never seen pictures. Didn't know anything about Greenville. But the feeling was strong. So later that day, I shared all that happened with Jason. Immediately we were filled with peace- an indescribable peace. At that moment, we both said- Yep, this is it. And we were so excited and full of joy along with a resounding peace.
In May 2013, we visited Greenville for the first time. Not gonna lie- it is scary to think about leaving family, friends, leaving home and moving to a new, unknown place. I don't handle change that well sometimes since I am a planner. I like to have control. But we went down to Greenville, drove around to familiarize ourselves with the area, and mostly to pray. We went on a prayer hike. Prayed as we walked, basically saying, that if this is where you want us to go- we will go. And again, we were filled with peace. God's peace. We were gonna take this huge blind leap of faith.
So what happened between May 2013- June 2014?? How did this all happen?? Well- stay tuned for my next post and I will share "The Move"
"May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" Numbers 6:24-26
