Seasons Change

Ryan took us on a detour tonight. We Packed the car up (why does that take so long after only being at the lake for 2 nights?), threw Jammies on the kids, graham crackers in each lil' hand...and therein began our familiar 50 min trek home. 

But, we took a detour. He wanted to see the "homes out in the country...cause...ya never know Lib!" 😉 There IS something kinda magical about the countryside. I think I would get lonely if we lived out there, but what do I know? Anyways, while exploring tonight, we came across this field. Right next to a corn field but it wasn't corn that was growing. Not sure exactly WHAT it is. Ellie yelled from the backseat, "mom! That field is raspberry looking! Whyyyyy?" 

 

This picture barely captures it--but it was lovely as all get out. Green around the edges, tan hay of some sort underneath, and then that "raspberry" or reddish colored stuff on top. 

(Ha! Anyone who is remotely educated in farming is legitimately chuckling at me right now). 

But here's the deal...I felt like it was a field of in-between. 

In between two corn fields. 

In between green and beige--hence, raspberry...

In between summer and fall. 

In between seasons. 

That's our life right now. We are in between. And it's uncomfortable at times. 

One week left of summer and school begins. A new schedule and routine awaits. In between seasons. 

Ryan and I are both training for races right now. We have to keep plugging away at the running yet fear race day! In between seasons. 

Ellie is battling being a little kid but growing up and experiencing maturing emotions (I think that's the nice way of saying it)--and she is in between. 

We wait for the day when our call comes from the agency telling us who our son will be. No control. Nothing we can do to speed it up or hand select this soon-to-be Snow. We are IN BETWEEN. In between our familiar and even rather predictable life right now and...well, not exactly sure. But a lot of change ahead. 

God has been working on me this summer. I think He's been digging deep in me as a mom, a friend, a wife, a family member...I'm having to surrender control and trust God bigger. I guess that's what He asks of us in in-between times. 

Ironically my little Griff's memory verse from church last month was this...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)" 

So we learn together. :)

Get Outa Town!!!!

That's what I said when I opened my email today. 

And then I screamed. 

:)

T'was a good day and a good report for our monthly update. 

Our hearts are racing a bit tonight, and we have a bit more of a kick in our steps---as we moved 16 whole spots in July!!!!

Yesssss! Praise God for this news. And, moving those 16 spots actually puts us right at #16 on the list now. 

Only 15 people ahead of us. 15 more people who are waiting for their face, name, and picture, to show up in their inbox. Maybe only 10 or 12 are requesting 0-2 boys like us...? 

WE. ARE. SO. CLOSE

My mind kind of skips to the what-if's at this point...now anticipating a quicker timeline than we were even just 2 months ago. 

So, unless for some reason referrals stop happening altogether the next two months, we could very well be "meeting" (via email) our little dude oh so soon. :)

Once our agency matches us with a child, very soon after we receive our court date and book flights to travel to Ethiopia for trip #1.

Lots of joy and smiles at the Snow household tonight. We celebrated with a game of PIG under the basketball hoop, and some leftover ice cream pie. It was a little bit easier tonight, for us to imagine our little man joining the fun (or complete chaos) before too long. 

But...

Psalm 16 is appropriate tonight. For a lot of reasons. Not only is 16 the magic number today, but this was the Psalm I read in its entirety to Linda, my mother-in-law, the last time I ever saw her. It was a moment I will never forget and treasure that we shared together before she went to be with Jesus. She would be rejoicing with us tonight as well. This I am certain. 

"Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety." (Psalms 16:5-9 NLT)