As 2014 comes to a close, I am amazed at all that has happened. This time last year, we were so far from our financial need and exhausted from the journey of adoption, yet, we had so much more work to do to get our kids home. About this time last year, we were taking pictures and about to celebrate whatever 2014 was going to hold for us. As spring came, we entered into a new semester at co-op. Each day, our children would ask me if we were going to Ukraine that day. One day, I got that phone call. Nope, not the one where you learn you are leaving the country to get your child, but the kind that reveals that your entire work for your dossier is about to be rejected over a paper that isn't on acceptable letterhead. A dossier is about 40 documents that needs to be notarized, then verified downtown, then apostiled in our capital city. If it were rejected, we needed to do the whole thing again due to deadlines. Through the work of our facilitators in Ukraine, we learned the following day that she was able to get it approved. (((HUGE sign of relief))) Then, we got our travel dates. As our date came closer and closer, God began to work on our behalf and the money came in...sometimes in little amounts, sometimes in larger amounts. In May 2014, Daddy and I with our two older children got on a plane for Ukraine, made it to Kiev and accepted the referral of our 5 newest additions. For the next two months we stayed there soaking up the culture as we visited with our children, learned Russian on our way to and from the orphanage, and waited for the process to be complete. In July we were done with Ukraine and just ready to speak English, eat American food, cook, be at home, and most of all see my 4 darlings who needed us. I was SO done with being away. And, on July 9th of 2014, we landed in our home state. The smile just wouldn't come off my face. I was so happy to be home, but then I became scared. Nine kids. That's a lot of kids. And, we knew what could happen. We've had training after training and real life experiences through fostering, and we've seen our kids for the past 2 months act like raving wild animals. To be honest, I was terrified. But, it's amazing what true love will do. I loved them the moment I met them, and even though I mess up all the time and must say "I'm sorry" more times than I have in my whole life, nowadays, they must see that I love each one so much. Each has their own giftings that I get to see grow. Each one has their own weakness that I get to help them with. I enjoy their gifts and seeing them use 'em. Oddly enough, I love their weaknesses too and letting them know that it's ok not to be perfect at everything. I'm certainly not. As we grew together, got a new routine, and original sibling bonds broke down to accept new sibling bonds, I got to see it on a daily basis, and it was beautiful. Behaviors weren't so bad - not easy, but progress was so swift and very visible that I am encouraged to keep moving forward. We did have a problem. Our girls were all piled in a room. Each had their own bed, but that room's temperature just would not cool down. When you get 6 strong willed girls in a room, it gets hot apparently. We did our best to make it comfortable, but we were trying to think of a solution. God provided a couple who provided us a larger home. We pay them back what we paid on our smaller house, but this house is so much larger. Now, we have no temperature problems, and everyone has some good space to play and sleep. We even get to enjoy 5 acres. God truly provided in a way I didn't expect. As we are enjoying our new property and growing into a new routine, our children have been praying for a baby. They often spoke of going back to the orphanage, but one day they warned me that they were praying for a baby in my tummy first, then they were praying for God to send us back to the orphanage. This fall we learned that God has beaten the odds. My oncologist told me that I would not be able to conceive any more children. This fall we found out that the Great Physician called the shots here, as we are expecting our 10th child. We announced this amazing miracle at Thanksgiving to our children and then to our family. We haven't had any negative comments so far! This year, Jadon turned 5, Jonathan turned 6 (but we hadn't met him yet), and I turned 31 while in Ukraine! We left Ukraine for Elisa's 4th birthday, then Elijah turned 4 at the orphanage. Once home, Sophia and Amariah turned 8 and got to enjoy their first birthday with our family in America, then Abi's 8th birthday was 6 days later. Last year she wanted to ride a go-kart, and this year she wanted to do the same thing. Chris turned 37 then a short time later, Hannah turned 10 and got her ears pierced. She was so exited to get her ears pierced. Lili got her long awaited unicorn party, complete with a unicorn pinata. She's already thinking up next years theme. As Christmas approached, we so desired to give our children each a nice gift to cherish. For 5 of our kids, this is the first time they had ever receive a gift at Christmas. Yet, we didn't have the money. I cried out to God, as I noticed that not only did we desire to purchase gifts for our children, we also needed shoes greatly. At this point in our journey with Him, I just think I'm silly for ever wondering how we are going to make it. At my simple prayer, God's people moved. Money, gifts, food, shoes, clothes, and so much more were given to us. I still need to pick up clothes from two people, in fact. Christmas was so wonderful and stress free. 2014 was one very blessed year! 5 orphans became "Orphans NO More". God showed his mighty power over cancer and chemo once again. God showed that HE will provide, for He is watching over us. I'm sad to see 2014 go, but I'm excited for 2015. Can't wait to take our children to Florida. For many it will be their first time to the beach. I can't wait to see our 10th child and hear the children exclaim again how they have prayed for this. I can't wait to find out what else 2015 will hold. I know it will include chickens and fruit treas at some point! I'm excited! Welcome 2015!
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God provides. I learned that when we went through cancer. I learned that during our recently adoption process and raising $50,000 in 9 months. And, I'm learning that this Christmas season.
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November 2017
AuthorI'm Brooke - Daughter of the King, Wife to a loving husband, mother to 10 sweet blessings, teacher, cleaning lady, cook, and COO of the Lusher Family. Categories |