More than we had planned!

We planned a mini trip to Iowa about a month ago. Our purpose was and I stress "was" to see Iowa city before our Katie leaves it... for good. She has graduated from college and is just finishing up a few jobs and will move home in August. We came to Iowa many times her first and second years but as time went by we visited less and less- at the same time we were adopting our 2 precious daughters from China and our son Johnny was busy with school and sports. So traveling to Iowa just wasn't as easy as it used to be. On our little getaway- we have been able to see where she has worked for the last 3 years, meet some of her friends, see where she did her student teaching and take some boxes home for her!

This little family get away has actually been much more than we first planned. We have been able to meet some incredible families on this little journey- it has been a joy and truly a privilege to meet them and spend some time with them. God is so good! I can't believe through a computer, by way of the internet- we have been introduced and have actually developed relationships with these families. This is much more than the internet- it is such a God thing- it is the Lord joining us together to glorify him, to serve him and to spread his joy. It is the Lord meeting our spiritual needs, our need for support in while on this journey of adoption and even better than that- these people are just good people and they are FUN!

I am feeling quite humbled right now just being able to experience this- I am grateful to our Lord for this opportunity! 

My family on the other hand have been a little skeptical BUT now they have come around! Our most stubborn son said After meeting the first family - "wow, they were really nice- I guess they aren't stalker people after all" When leaving the second family he said- "wow, that's quite a family!" He was so genuinely sincere- it was awesome! (While with both families I don't think he said a thing- just took it all in- he is at the shy and uncomfortable teenage time.) I believe it has been a bit of a growing experience for the whole family.

I will post pics and get more specific with our next post- the camera is charging now- we need to finish our fun and check out of our room before heading home! God is so good!

Please continue to pray for DW!