Just Plane Blessed

Just Plane Blessed I am writing now from a huge plane headed toward the North Pole, and no, even though we are approaching December 25, the gift we are receiving isn't coming from a jolly fat man. I am reminded of this even in the little details of this trip so far.  In keeping up with the constant analogy o his adoption being similar to actual pregnancy, the president of our adoption agency said that the 20-something hours of air travel would be like labor. I have thought about this quite a bit over the past week as I have frantically run all over town (mostly to Target) to get everything pulled together and accomplished before we left. Thanks are due in large quantity to Josh's mom, with whom I left not only 3 energetic kids, but a couch full of laundry, a humidifier in great need of disinfecting, a coughing baby in great need of said humidifier, and dishes & junk all over the house as usual. It is a huge comfort to know that she can handle all of it.  Anyone who has gotten ready to go through labor knows that there are a whole range of emotions that are involved. Once again this week has been the same. I have gone through them all, and some caught me by surprise. Firstly, there is obviously excitement that the day we finally get to meet Asher is coming soon. we have waited for this day for so long, but with the excitement comes the knowledge of all the technical aspects that still have to go along with making the "delivery" possible. These technicalities don't lessen the excitement any, but they do pull your emotional mind to a million different thoughts as well: "what do I pack for a child I've never met? Do I really need to pack ALL these medications? What if he rejects all the different toys/bottles/food items I did bring? Can I get away with not bringing my heavy winter coat? How will the other kids react to the fact that Asher will have to be treated differently for a while? Is 4 pairs of pants enough?" My mind goes on and on, triggering other lovely symptoms of late pregnancy: inability to sleep and bad heartburn. The funny thing is that for all these questions in my head, I wouldn't really define myself as being stressed or anxious. I didn't feel worried or panicky; just curious and preoccupied. However, I have also had an eyelid twitch for a couple weeks, which takes me back to stressful times in college and early marriage. So, apparently I was stressed.  Another stage of labor that many women experience is the point where they decide that the don't want to do it. Nevermind the 9 months of gestation. Nevermind the contractions and work that's gone into it thus far. I'm tired. It's going to be uncomfortable.  I just want to go to bed. It's a completely illogical state of mind, but it's there nonetheless. Clearly holding Asher in our arms is worth every ounce of work and sacrifice we've gone through, just as any baby is, but as I sat there packing my way through an all-nighter last night, the thought actually did pop into my head "maybe it would be easier if we just stayed home." Clearly yes, it would be the easy thing to do to stay home, but it wouldn't be better. God doesn't call us to do the easy thing, but He promises to be with us every step of the way as we do what is better.  He has proven that in a handful of ways today, things that may sound silly or random or just lucky, but things that I am choosing to see as a little nudge that He's with us, like when I walk hand in hand with Gracie and every so often just squeeze her hand to say "I love you." The first little squeeze happened the moment we stepped into the airport. One of the skycaps asked where we were headed to, and we told him "Beijing.". He said they only check in domestic flights out there, and we'd have to go inside. Well, inside gave us an immediate glimpse of what it's going to be like to be blond and American in China! There was an enormously long line to check in, all Asians. It was ridiculous how many people were there. So we stood in line for approximately 30 seconds and then Virgil, the friendly skycap came back to us and said "You know that this line is about a 45 - 50 minute wait? How would you like me to get you out of this line?" Clearly we said yes, please, and followed him back outside. Virgil proceeded to get us checked in despite the fact that it wasn't normal procedure, and we were done in under 5 minutes. Despite his humorous and anything-but-subtle interjections that his was worth a really big tip for him (which it was, and which he did receive) it was absolutely wonderful and encouraging to be taken care of like that right off the bat.  Then, we boarded our first flight to Chicago. No issues. No weather problems, and we were seated in an emergency exit row, which provided double the amount of legroom. Nice! In Chicago, we met up with the Blackburn family. Kelly & Jason are adopting Miles "Oliver," who is one of Asher's buddies at MBHOH.  Kelly and I had been praying for months that we would be able to travel together. I'm so glad to have them here, and we also get to meet up with another family I've been in contact with once we arrive in Beijing. Another huge blessing! For this second flight, which we are currently about 2.5 into (out of 13+ hours total), Josh and I didn't have seats together. We were both seated in the center section, center seat, about 10 rows apart. We weren't too concerned about having hat rearranged, as that kind of thing happens all the time, but we had decided to try for emergency exit row seats again, for the legroom, but were told it wasn't possible. Still, we were thankful to be able to get seats together, and they were k. The side o a center row instead of the center seats. Just as we were settling in to that row, the flight attendant came up and asked us if we would be willing to take an emergency exit row seat instead because the Chinese couple that was seated there didn't speak English well enough to follow he emergency procedure instructions given by airline employees who spoke no Mandarin. Another little hand squeeze! tons o legroom... So much so that it's currently filled with people who are hanging out and doing very amusing little stretching exercises. Thank you, God, for the little things! I also have to mention my thankfulness for the fact that we have wonderful friends who are showing their support in practical and genuinely helpful ways! Thanks to Ben, our friendly British chauffeur for driving us to the airport at an obscene hour and tolerated my snoring in the back seat of his car during the drive. Thanks to Joy, who has already cooked and frozen meals for when we return, and for arranging a handful of other people to do the same, and thanks to that handful of other people for cooking! That is a tremendous help, and I am massively appreciative for your thoughtfulness!  Thanks to all the faithful friends who are praying for us daily on this trip and beyond. I think it's safe to say that your prayers are already evidently effective! At this point, whether it's because my herbal sleep aid is kicking in, or because I know that I'm on the plane already and there's nothing else I can do to prepare, but the anxiety I was apparently in denial about has dissipated, and I am nothing but excited... well, nothing but sleepy and excited! Just about 10 more hours of sitting in this tin can and we will be in CHINA!!!! There were days I wondered if it would ever actually happen, but it's happening! Monday, while most of you are slumbering in your little beds, I will be holding my son. I am thrilled. Beyond thrilled! Delusionally happy! It seems completely surreal still, but it is happening...