We've made a lot of plans over the last two and a half years. Some of those plans have worked out beautifully. Others, most even, have not turned out as we had hoped. I don't feel at all doom and gloom about this. In fact, I've come to see that plan B, C, D, and even X were often better than what I came up with in the first place. But it's a steep learning curve for a self-professed "planner" like me.
A few weeks ago we sent out a newsletter detailing our plans to move as soon as our visas are in hand, along with our first steps once we arrive in Spain, which should have been October at the latest. The very next week I had a heart to heart with my obstetrician, and asked him what he felt would be the last possible date that we could safely move during this pregnancy. He turned the question back to me and simply asked, "If you don't leave before the baby comes, will the door to Spain close?" Because the answer is no, he highly recommended that we stay put until she arrives, regardless of the date. Our previous preterm delivery with Sims makes me a top candidate for another one, and this week marks the start of my third trimester.
Honestly, his advice relieved me. I have no fear about delivering this baby in another country. But the thought of moving our family across an ocean, trying to find a home, get settled, find a doctor (who hopefully speaks great English), and delivering a baby in the next three months (IF she is full-term) was leaving Jono and I feeling stretched. Our contact at the Spanish Embassy had already informed us that she will hold our visas until we are ready to travel, and that if we had the baby here in the U.S. it would not be a problem to push her visa through. So, on the way back from the doctor's office, I settled it in my heart that we'd go ahead and leave after Lu is born.
Of course, 15 minutes later Jono called me and said that his and my visas were ready, but the boys' are still pending. Go figure. The possibility of an immediate departure stirred in our minds, but it's really not reasonable to take off without G and Sims. So we are staying our current course and waiting to leave until baby girl has a stamped passport, which we are guessing will be around February.
Until then we have plenty to fill our plates. Thankfully the boys are in a good routine with preschool, church, family and friends around. Jono will be going to Turkey in October to do some work. He'll also be able to visit some of our best buds who live there now. I'd love to go too, but we've obviously decided traipsing around the world is off limits for the next few months. And then there's Discipleship Beyond, which we are establishing as a 501(c)3 nonprofit as well as working on its curriculum development. We'll probably even dive into Rosetta Stone and practice our Spanish lisp.
We're thankful that in all of our waiting that we've had a clear sense of His purpose and obvious, productive work in front of us! Though our plans keep changing, our moments in life are rarely confused. God keeps saying, "Do what is before you." True to the past two and a half years, I am sure that the next five months will speed by, and we'll be landing in Spain before we know it. Until then, we will try to savor our next few months--anticipating this new baby, enjoying the beautiful fall weather, celebrating two of our favorite holidays, and relaxing (or not so much) on football Saturdays. We have a lot to look forward to, even if we are on plan Z.
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| We feel really safe with two super heroes in the house. Note, if you will, G's grey tooth, which was severely knocked on Sims's head. We're still waiting to see if it makes it or not. |
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| The two of us on a date. Go Braves! |
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| I can't believe he's four! We celebrated the life of this sweetheart on September 15. Talk about time flying. |
