One Month Update

Wow!  We have come a long way in one month!!!  God has been so faithful to us as we returned home December 30th as a family of seven.  I could go on forever about all the wonderful ways His hand has guided in the last month. Instead, I will highlight just a few.....for the praise of His glory.

• We arrived at MSP to a wonderful group of family and friends-all excited to meet Elsa (and see us, I presume!)
• My sister, Ingrid, and her family (Chip, Olivia & Trey) were still here in MN for Christmas vacation.  This allowed us some wonderful family time with them before they headed back to MI.  
• There were a few days before Jake & Annika headed back to school so they could get used to central time zone again!
• Mari spent her last week of vacation here at home; sleeping and enjoying Elsa before heading back to Wheaton.
• Elsa loves sharing a room and a bed with Annika.  
• Annika is a wonderful big sister.  She has a tender heart that loves freely and gives generously. God has gifted her perfectly to minister to her younger sister as she transitions to life here at home.
• Gus and Jake are amazing big brothers who Elsa adores.

All these gifts are just a glimpse of the month we have had.  We are all sleeping through the night now ( a BIG blessing for me! ) and even adjusting to a nap schedule.  Elsa understands almost everything she hears, but speaking English is not high on her "to do" list yet.  We are all learning her words for things and getting along very well.  Honestly, it hardly seems possible that it has only been a month since we came home.  Life here would certainly be dull without her.  I am so thankful to Him that we didn't miss this wonderful little girl and all the blessings of seeing God work in and around us.  I read these verses in Isaiah 45:5-6 and think it sums up our life perfectly.

"I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no god; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other."

While this prophesy speaks specifically of Cyrus and how God was going to use him in the life of Israel, I do know that He is equipping us daily.  In addition to getting used to the crazy life that is ours, Elsa has also visited with a variety of doctors.  We are thankful for access to wonderful medical care and advise.  She is fearfully and wonderfully made.  We know that without a doubt.  That precious smile and dimple says it all.

 Time with the extended family

 A new panda from Uncle Eric and Val

 Lovin' time with the cousins

 Matchy, matchy

 Getting a trim from Wendy

 Visiting MOA with Mari

 Discovering lots of ways to play

 Cuddle time with Gus

 Playing dress up with Annika

 Supporting Wildcat basketball

 Jammin' to LeCrae

 Helping us dogsit and loving it!

Still love my noodles!

I find myself peeking into their room after all is quiet.  Where there was one little, black-haired head on a pillow, now two lie side by side.  God is good.  He "crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:4-5)

The New Year

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."  Psalm 103:1-5

Praise Him for all His benefits....that all seven of us survived nearly 27 hours of travel, that Elsa did not have one crying outburst on ANY plane ride home, that all our bags arrived in MN when we did, that a wonderful group of family and friends greeted us at the airport, that we have now slept in our own beds for five nights, that we could spend time with family over the New Year's weekend (making up for our absence at Christmas), that Elsa continues to be more and more comfortable at home.  I could go on and on.  Suffice it to say that we are grateful to God for all He has done for our family.

We were able to spend some time with both sides of our family this past weekend.  They were kind enough to relive Christmas for us and we enjoyed sharing Elsa with them.  She is quiet at first, when meeting new people, but it didn't take too long for her to leave my side and be running with the cousins.  I just have to sit back and smile at all she is taking in and doing.  We are all a crazy bunch......she fits right in!

Now, to the daunting task of returning to a work/school schedule while still working on returning to this time zone!  We know that God will faithfully show us through this transition as well.

 Arriving at the airport.

 Family time.