Jerry, did you pack the...

Well, it has arrived - Ethiopia Eve! Let me tell ya, things are a-buzz in the Williams house. I am busy packing the things that we will never use but fear we won't survive without. Jerry is packing 9000 pair of underwear in every possible bag. The boys are, of course, eating. Jon is making ravioli to eat and reciting some of the Skit Guys material. Jake is eating some of the Ukrainian salo that arrived this week and asking a zillion questions. The dogs are busy following us to make sure that we aren't attacked by any monsters under the bed. Ahhhh, life before flying. Really, I love it - the excitement, the charge of energy, the wonder, the newness - its all great. I can't wait to make new friends, experience a new culture, and of course meet our new DAUGHTER. It is so overwhelming and joyous and scary and wild and wonderful. Who says adoption isn't filled with wonder and excitement! We are going to miss our wonderful boys. They have been such a huge help and it is no small thing to give your family up to God's plan to add a sibling. There is a certain amount of... well... uncertainty at how life will be after the new arrival. They have talked to us about some things that concern them. I don't feel like I should share these things, but know that they are walking through different emotions and cares with God's help and they look forward to having a new sister. The night will of course not last long enough to get everything done and we will be hustling kids to bed and throwing last minute items in the bag until the last moment. Strangely enough we have a peace in the midst of packing chaos. It is a deep sense that our loving, strong, gentle Father is ahead of us and is in total control of what is to come. This peace is marvelous and as we begin to let emotions well up in our hearts that would otherwise overwhelm us, the peace takes over and gently soothes those deep dark worries of the mind. Tonight as we pack our things and run through the house like wild people there is a small and beautiful girl on the other side of the world dreaming of the day her family will come to claim her as their own. May she have peaceful dreams and may the God of all peace and comfort be her constant Companion as she waits for us to arrive.