A Look Back

So a little over a year ago on July 7th Joey, Jones, Mollie & I arrived home to the United States as a family. It was an exciting and a day of total relief. I remember it well. I can't believe it has been one year. In some ways it feels like it was yesterday but in most ways and most days it just feels like it's always been the way it is today. I can't remember Jones even talking Russian and I can barely remember the disciplinary challenges we had the beginning (oh, believe me, we have them now but back then it was different, more of definition of the way our family would run.) Wow, it is amazing to look back. Below are two excerpts from my two last posts from Russia before returning home:

"Last Day- Can you believe it
Today is our last day here! In fact we leave in less than 12 hours! Amazing! Today I am off and on emotions wise. Today I realized that it may not be all nerves but I think my trembling might also be excitement! The only other time I wanted to come home so bad was moving home from Virginia. Actually no,I have never wanted to come home more and have never been so excited to see your faces. I am trying to take the attitude of whatever happens, happens. There is only so much in my control. The Lord has to take care of the rest and if that is to let both my kids scream or something, then I will probably cry but have to endure. Please be praying very hard that we can get seats together. Right now we do not. I am a little concerned about that but I know the Lord has us in His capable hands. Please also pray for sleep for the kids. Neither of them sleep unless they are actually in bed so I am hoping that they will regardless. And lastly - just for smooth flights and transitions. We only have an hour and a 1/2 in Frankfurt to switch planes so we are in need of His guidance in that circumstance as well. I of course am nervous being my nature but I think God is working on strengthening me. I have had times of calm today though. It hasn't helped having so much cooped up time to think."


"Posted by Erin at 6:30 AM 0 comments
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Lord Jesus,
Be with us. I trust you I do. This situation at times especially like now has actually caused me to doubt my faith and trust in you. I will not let Satan influence me in this way. Please know my love for you and that I will choose to rest in you. Please bless my family in a special way Lord. Please comfort my children supernaturally where I can't. Please be my words when I can't communicate. Thank you for my children, and my incredible husband who has carried so much weight literally and figuratively this trip. And thank you for my friends and family who have showed incredible loyalty and committment. Please bless them ten fold in their lives and let our family be to them what they are to us. And Lord thank you for you. For the hope we have in you.
Erin"


Goodness, reading those brings back so many memories but looking back I have to be honest and say that those were two posts where I was so nervous but so excited that we were almost on our way home and I was able to have a decent attitude. I am ashamed to say that if you look back at earlier posts last June & July you will see lots of frustration, doubt, and fear. But....as always, the Lord brought us through.

I can't believe how far we've come. I can't believe how far THEY'VE come. Jones and Mollie are an incredible blessing and I will continue to thank the Lord everyday of my life for allowing me to be their Mom. It is so amazing to look at how much they have changed and to see fruit coming from their lives. I know the Lord has a very special plan for them and I am so honored to be able to witness it. And I am still so grateful for the support of family and friends throughout it all and still today. I love you all so much. Thank you again. Our words could never ever express the gratitude we feel in our hearts.