gaps and graces

Whew, it has been a journey, and we haven't even left America yet :)

This is not rocket science, but Kids. They are such... People.

They've got seven feelings, three plans, eight ideas and 35 things to say about every single thing, just like everyone else. Take that times four and some major transitiony days where the stable thing is mama, and I'm like...wiped :)  And grateful. And rich. And tired. 

The Graces. 

Mr. Philip and Ms. Annie, who had never met us in their lives and yet let us sleep at their house and play hide-and-seek under their beds and made us chocolate chip pancakes and helped iron dresses and ran the kids around the parking lot at Wal-Mart while mama last-searched for missionary care lists...and loved us well. Somebody get these people a medal.

Crosspoint Church.  It's a grace every single time, and Sunday was no exception, hearing our friend and missions pastor preach, welcoming us, being there with so much good family in the body of Christ.

Friends.  A huge part of why we stopped in Niceville specifically is because Lily has a dear friend there, one of a family of eight people that we all truly just ADORE.  Getting Lily and Anna together was priceless, but we all found together just such a rich afternoon of friendship and play and understanding and GRACE. 

Missionary Flights International.  After driving 7.5 hours on Sunday after church and the park, I was exhausted when we got to Fort Pierce,Florida after midnight. Wiped. To pull up to a little cottage, to carry kiddos into clean bunks, to lock the door and fall into bed and all sleep safe and sound and clean was just such a gift. To wake up this morning to a huge community of missionaries coming and going, resting and working...Haiti, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, homeland, furloughs, medical leave, emergencies...was a rich gift for us all.

The kids were instantly initiated into the gang of missionary kids running around, and everyone had the BEST day today playing, biking, swimming, making friends. This gave me a chance to do some laundry, adjust some packing, finalize everything for tomorrow, swim with the kids, sit for a few moments...and there was even a huge dinner tonight fixed by our Haitian neighbors...so fun.

Oh man...the "hospitality park" of MFI is quite new (like, they just finished it during covid), but it is a HUGE gift and THE oasis that we needed today.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious about tomorrow. Early morning weigh ins, bags, and travel will be manageable, but arriving in the lovely chaos of Haiti, getting your bags, passports, paperwork,  paying duoane, covid screening, getting to someone who will help WITH four heavy bags, four kids, their bags, getting out of the airport, through the throngs of people...to the car, with everyone and everything, paying everyone for everything...it is ALWAYS a lot. It was a lot when it was just Matt and I!   

 Frankly, I don't know how I'm going to manage it tomorrow..Matt and I always divide and conquer...barely.

So, I am specifically praying that every place there is a gap, starting at 5 am tomorrow when our day begins, the Lord will send someone to fill it...That every place I simply cannot, someone who can for NO reason but the Lord, WILL.  Praying that the Lord will make ways that I cannot see right now, and I am declaring right now that I am trusting Him to answer this prayer of gap-filling and letting it go!

I am looking forward to telling you how God shows up tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers!