Yep - It's True!

Some of you reading this might also be following the blog of our friend, Rachel.  If so - you'll know that she announced some exciting news today!

About 2 months ago, Rachel's parents - Jesse and Lisa - had asked us to pray about something.  They asked us to pray about possibly allowing Rachel to join us on our trip to get Carter.  To be honest, Jake and I had already talked about it - but that's as far as it had gone.  So we agreed, yes - we'll pray about it.

Me & Rachel at baby Jonathan's homecoming in July!

So we prayed.  And even though in our hearts, we both wanted her to come along - we continued to pray.

"Are you sure, Lord?"

Some of the feedback we had gotten had made us think twice.  What if it's more stressful?  What if she gets sick?  What if...??

After lots of prayer, we knew that this was right for us and for Rachel.

So we headed over to her house for a bon fire one night, and told her the news.

I think I played it like 'Well...if you come, it might add to our stress...and since you're a minor, you're a big responsibility....but we don't care.  Because we want you to come."

If you know Rachel, you would know that her 'excited' state is my 'mildly happy' state.  She smiled, said "What?!  Really?!  Okay!!"...and that was that.  In her heart, we knew she was doing cartwheels.

Rachel, Me, and Rachel's equally sweet sister, Rebekah!
I love you, too - Rebekah!!!! 

After talking with Jesse & Lisa, we plan to bring Rachel on our last trip.  We will all three fly back on that last trip - break Carter out of his orphanage, and spend a few days paper chasing - and then we'll all four come home.

Many people have asked why we're bringing Rachel. Can't Jake & I handle the trip home by ourselves?  Sure, we probably could.  But we've never wanted this journey to be just about us.  We want others to benefit by our journey.

There are many other reasons, too....
+She has a heart for the fatherless, as well as special needs.  I know, lots of people 'have a heart' for things - but Rachel (and her sweet friend, Sarah) go way above & beyond.  Click on their names, and check out their blogs.  These girls are actively working to aid special needs orphans.  I don't know what is in store for their futures, but we'll help in any way we can to foster a greater love for serving Christ.

Rachel & Sarah, selling some of their handmade crocheted items at Carter's benefit

+Rachel is a gem.  A total sweetheart.  She won't be any 'trouble' on this trip (as some who don't know her have suggested! Ha - if you only knew this girl!).  We know that she's going to be there to help us with whatever we need.  Carrying bags - Helping around the apartment - Rubbing our feet (ha - kidding...I think....).  But we know that she will not be a burden, but rather a huge help.  We don't know how Carter will react once in our apartment.  It may be one giant meltdown - hour, after hour, after hour.  And to be honest, it will be good to know that Rachel is there, praying us through...able to help us with whatever we need.

+IF we don't have court the last trip, Jake might not return with me.  Both parents do not need to be there for gotcha day and the paperwork that follows.  As of right now, we fully plan on him coming every time - but this might change if we have to make three trips, which would be much more expensive.  This is where Rachel's help will be VITAL.  Totally necessary.

+Once home (and settled in - maybe after Christmas), Rachel will be coming to our home once a week to help with Carter, and give me a little time to do that extra load of laundry, finish that project, or just take a long (8 hour...?!?!) nap!  Plus - we see her 2+ times a week at church.  My point is this - she's going to be a part of Carter's life.  On a regular basis, he will see her - know her - love her.

+Finally - we're bringing Rachel because we asked, and the Lord said yes.  That's good enough for me - and so it should be good enough for you, too.

Bottom line?  Love this girl.
Love ALL these girls.
And I just can't wait to see how God uses them.
Can you blame me for wanting to be a part of it?!

On a side note - Jake is one of Rachel's Youth Leaders (Jake's brother, Ben, is the other Youth Leader).  We took Rachel & Rebekah to baby Jonathan's homecoming, and as we were leaving we had to stop at the parking ticket lady on the way out of the airport.

Jake, being the salesman that he is, always tries to use a person's name when at all possible.  This lady had a name tag - Patty.

"Thanks - have a great day, Patty!"

The back seat was unusually quiet - and as Jake looked into the rear view mirror, he saw a shocked look on Rachel's face.  When he asked what was up - she said, in a completely serious & somewhat mortified tone...

"Did you just call that lady 'fatty'?!?"

Let's just say we laughed the whole way home.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When talking to Rachel at church last night, she said her bags were pretty much packed.

But she's not leaving for at least 3 weeks.

I'm leaving in 3 days.  Ask me if I'm packed :)

Nope!

One Thing I Know For Sure:  Friendship knows no age - and these girls are true friends!