Eating Cheese at the Wall

It's Neil's turn to use the blog as a stress remedy...

We are into our 7^th week in Ukraine since first leaving on April  7^th.  Today is exactly three months from our first appointment with the SDA.  We have accomplished a lot and have just a couple things left to complete so we can bring Anya and Sasha home, but those tasks are still evading us.  We are so blessed by what we have, are able to do, and our freedoms and liberties.  I sit here struggling with feeling irritated that I am not on my way home today as planned.  It gives perspective to the uncertainty that people in Ukraine live with every day.  It seems like some rule, guideline, law, or standard is changing every day.  People here never know what to expect when it comes to dealing with medical or governmental needs.  They just show up, ask questions, muddle through it, and hope they get what they came for.  I guess if this is all you know, maybe it doesn’t seem strange. 

Here is my confession for the day.  I am frustrated.  I have hit my wall, am stressed out and am struggling to give it over to God.  After waiting 12 days now for passports, and after having to change our airplane tickets to a week later than our already conservative departure date, I have hit my wall with delays, issues, and changes.   Thank God for providing the McDuff’s and the other great families we have met here in Kiev, and our prayer warriors back home.  If it wasn’t for them I think my wall would have come, been climbed over and “Berlined” at least a week ago.   I’m in that place where anything can irritate me. 

A short list of items that have stressed us out over the last two weeks:  Passport delays; positive skin reaction to TB tests (both kids); false information, no information, and continually changing information with no good guidance on how to plan; missing Sophie and Claire; and Claire losing a tooth while we are gone.  Yes, somehow not being there when she lost her first top front tooth (not her first tooth even) pushed us over the wall. 

So I’m at my wall this morning, already working on this blog entry, and I get my email with my daily bible verse... and it is this:  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. — Philippians 4:11.

I could take this two ways.  One as a slap in the face for not being compliant with his plan (although I think I’ve been a good sport so far), or that he is meeting me where I am and giving me guidance.  I think it may be a little bit of both, so I will humble myself, refocus, and continue to bond with my family.  We have had so many great moments over the past week and a half.  I’ll return my focus to nurturing them and praying for guidance on how to show them God’s love and message through acts, words, and a language barrier. 

As the saying goes… “When stuck in a mouse trap, you might as well eat the cheese.”