\nWe leave for Bulgaria this Friday! It\u2019s all beginning to feel real. Early this week I was at Walgreens shopping for last minute travel items when I decided to stroll down the baby isle. In looking at sippy cups, tethering toys and biscuits, my eyes began to suddenly well up. It took every bit of my strength to not cry like a baby. I felt this overpowering feeling of relief, gratefulness, joy and a mix of all kinds of emotions. Most of all, I felt a deep sense of honor. In all the world, I am chosen to become Hope\u2019s mama. What have I ever done to deserve this?<\/p>\n

God is so gracious in every last detail. We will fly out Friday for Munich, Germany. On Sunday morning, we fly from Munich to Sofia, Bulgaria. On Mother\u2019s Day, I will set foot on Bulgarian soil and experience for the first time, my daughter\u2019s beautiful birth county. Best Mother\u2019s day ever!<\/p>\n

Monday the 14th, we travel from Sofia, to Hope\u2019s orphanage which is about a four hour car ride. We will visit with Hope Monday-Thursday. Friday we travel back to Sofia to sign paperwork and Saturday we return home.<\/p>\n

Please keep us in your prayers. Robert and I will take this trip alone and our other children will be with grandparents. Pray for our children as this will be the longest stretch of time any of them have been away from us. Also pray for the grandparents stamina throughout the week.<\/p>\n

Pray for our time as a couple and safe and smooth travels. Pray for our time with Hope. Pray for bonds to begin to grow and connections to be made for Hope. Pray for our hearts and hers when it\u2019s time to say goodbye on Thursday.<\/p>\n

We have made a lot of headway in completing all needed paperwork for court. We wait now for our immigration approval which will set in motion Hope\u2019s Bulgarian court date. Pray that approval will come as soon as possible. We may have the opportunity to travel for Hope\u2019s homecoming trip as soon as August if our court date is set for June or July.<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, we pray that every last obstacle from the evil one will be crushed, claiming VICTORY over Hope\u2019s life and future.
\nTo God be the Glory, Forever! Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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