Spot it to Stop it!!

On Tuesday January 23rd, Luke and I had the privilege to attend a roundtable discussion on human trafficking organized by Congressman Darin Lahood's office. We met in a large conference room at Heartland Community College with other Central Illinois representatives from the State Police, local police and fire chiefs, emergency department managers, the Department of Homeland Security, members of social services, local city officials, faith-based services, and our own Catalyst Ministries. Also present were the President of Heartland Community College, Representative Keith Sommer, Senator Bill Brady, & Senator Dan Brady.

The major purpose of the gathering was to familiarize local agencies with law enforcement and first responders and to brief everyone on how to identify and combat human trafficking in the State of Illinois.

It's so important that people are aware that this is not just an overseas problem!! This devastating crime happens right here in Illinois; right here in Bloomington-Normal. The  I-55 corridor in Illinois is a major beltway for traffickers moving guns, drugs, money, and people to and from the southern states and Chicago.

The Center for Prevention and Abuse, headquartered in Peoria, is in it's 34th year. Their mission is: "to help all people - women, men, children - live free from violence and abuse."  The Center offers a wide range of services that includes safety planning, shelter, support groups, therapy and counseling, transitional housing, services for seniors and adults with disabilities, and help for the abuser.

Carol Merna, Director of The Center, shared that human trafficking is a new addition to their services. Sara Dillefeld, the Director of their recent Human Trafficking Services, informed us that human trafficking is a severely under-reported crime; that it involves an estimated 24.9 million people; and that one-in-four of those victims is a child.

Human Trafficking exploits the vulnerable and today there are more people trapped in this form of slavery than in any other time in US history! The University of Illinois at Chicago compiles a Human Trafficking in Illinois Fact Sheet. They report "the United States is considered the world's major destination for human trafficking."

This crime crosses a broad spectrum and its sinister reach touches our own American homes through pornography, textile industries, illicit massage parlors, nail salons, & food cultivated by illegal slave labor. Traffickers often prey on foreign nationals by withholding their visas, passports and workers permits; effectively coercing them into illegal slave labor in farms or factories or the illegal sex industry through fear and removing their power and freedom of movement. Over 80% of foreign trafficking victims are women; and 50% of them are children under the age of 18.

Michael Mitchell from the Department of Homeland Security shared local statistics, as well as their Blue Campaign. Agent Mitchell was well-versed in the area of smuggling. He has an extensive background in detection and prevention of a vast array of illegal acts including: arms exportation, drug smuggling, immigration violations, money laundering, trading with the enemy, child pornography, and now human trafficking. Agent Mitchell leads 6 agents in covering 46 counties; so they are spread quite thin and rely on leads from the State and local authority and law enforcement.

Julie Ryan, Founder and Director of Catalyst Ministries, informed the round table about the many aftercare services Catalyst provides. A holistic residential treatment home where women can heal from their trauma provides healthcare, safety, and counseling services to survivors of sex trafficking. Making first responders aware of this resource empowers them to be an advocate for the victims and survivors they may encounter in the field.

There was much discussion about the identifiers of those in human trafficking as well as the social services that provide a way out and give rescue to those who are enslaved. Things to look for include:
Are they living in the place they are working? (i.e. behind nail salons, over massage parlors, etc.)
Physical indicators; do they have visible marks of abuse? 
Foreign born nationals: do they have personal access to their documentation? 
Are they afraid of their "employer?" 
Does someone else do the talking for them?

According to their website, The Polaris Project is "a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris acts as a catalyst to systematically disrupt the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. By working with government leaders, the world's leading technology corporations, and local partners, Polaris equips communities to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking. Our comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what we do - helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate."

In 2016, there were 7,572 cases of human trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

  1. Sex Trafficking 5,551 (73%)
  2. Labor Trafficked 1,057 (14%)
  3. Sex and Labor Trafficking 268 (4%)
  4. Not Specified 696 (9%)

Polaris project reported in 2016 human trafficking was reported in all 50 states; with 198 cases of human trafficking reported to the National Hotline from Illinois. This is a 64% increase overall of 2015 when 121 cases were reported. In total, the National Hotline has received reports of 941 cases of human trafficking from Illinois since 2007.

From 2007 to 2016 there have been over 31,000 cases of human trafficking reported in the US. Catalyst Ministries estimates there are more than 5 Brothels in Bloomington - Normal. (Thanks to Aaron Davis, Communications Director at Catalyst Ministries, for providing us with this data!)

All of these stats prove that human trafficking isn't just something we can ignore or avoid. If the facts make us uncomfortable, they should motivate us to action!

Are we paying attention to those around us? Are there situations we witness or are aware of where things don't seem as they should? Can we give an encouraging word to a lower income woman or child who may feel invisible? Remind them that they have value and worth... that Jesus loves them, died for them,  and lives today to offer HOPE! There are caring people who are willing to listen and to see them if they get into trouble and need help.

The ringing message from the Tuesday meeting was "You have to spot it, to stop it."

Birthdays and Goodbyes

On Sunday, January 21st, our beautiful son Boaz turned 2 years old! 

It's hard to believe that he was referred to us when he was just 9 months old... 

Our very first glimpse of this sweet little one... and the referral picture we received late October, 2016.

We spent his entire birthday with family! 

My sister and brother-in-law hosted us all for a lunch where we celebrated not only Bo's special day, but Brad's and my Jan. 4th birthdays, my mom's Jan. 9th birthday, and Nikki's Feb. 13th birthday! 

We also had the privilege of attending Luke's sister Dawn's church, Imago Dei in Peoria. It was a blessing to have the opportunity to worship with her church family as well as participate in praying for her as she was commissioned! 

Dawn flies this week to the Philippines to spend a year working as a clinical aftercare fellow with the International Justice Mission! We've blogged often about IJM and have been Freedom Partners for a number of years.  We love the ministry and work of IJM and were excited to support Dawn as she pursues this opportunity!

This isn't the first time she's served in the Philippines. Dawn served in Manila for 3 weeks over her January mid-term in 2011 with her Taylor University Junior Practicum class writing case histories for an organization working to liberate women enslaved in prostitution. 

Dawn received her undergraduate degree from Taylor University and earned her Masters in Social Work from Illinois State University. For the past four years, Dawn has been employed as a direct care worker in a residential treatment center for boys between the ages of 6 and 18 who have experience profound physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse.

As a fellow with IJM, Dawn's role will be restoring survivors to safety and strength. She will be responsible for providing clinical supervision to the Filipino case workers already giving direct care services to the rescued survivors. 

What is Cyber Trafficking?

(Mature viewers only) 

                                        

 Cyber sex trafficking in the Philippines is the new wave of extreme evil perpetrated against victims from around the world via the Internet. IJM has had a successful victory in ridding child trafficking rings in brick-and-mortar brothels in the Philippines and now are taking on the new and challenging battle of rescuing and preventing children from being trafficked online. 

Dawn's responsibilities will include providing therapy cultivating partnerships with local after care providers and managing the grants that help fund their programming. Dawn roots the heart of her work in her faith. She believes "God is the God of love, justice, and peace: no person was created for a life of exploitation, abuse, or hatred."  

Isaiah 58:6 has become a charge to Dawn: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke." She continues to live out this verse wherever God leads her to go! 

Thank you for praying for Dawn! Her desire is to be useful to the IJM team and to take some of the strain off them... to help them to feel refreshed and supported through her service with them. 

Dawn with interns and fellows heading to the Philippines on Thursday

This is an unpaid fellowship: Dawn will donate her time and skill set for a year and is responsible to raise $20,000 to cover her travel and living expenses. "It's humbling to ask for help," Dawn admitted. But the whole point of her needing to ask for help, is that this work is so much bigger than any one person. It will take millions of people around the world to put a stop to this type of exploitation. 

If you are willing to partner with Dawn to take a stand against cyber trafficking in the Philippines; if you want to say "no more!" to children being robbed of their innocence and youth, please consider contributing to her financial support! 

For easy giving, and to find out more about Dawn's heart for this mission, please visit her page at Continue to Give.

As we were driving home from Morton, I asked the kids if they had all given Aunt Dawn a huge hug, "because you're not going to be with her again for an entire year..." From the back of the suburban Isaac blurted, "What?!" 'Not quite sure how that detail was lost on him, but he was a little shocked and emotional on the drive home! They love their aunt and believe she's a hero for fighting slavery. 

Our family has the privilege of supporting several missionaries who are close friends. We use their countries and ministries in our Geography and Bible studying in our homeschool and enjoy face-timing them throughout the year. While we'll all really miss Dawn, we're thankful that technology brings people closer!

It's an honor to see our sister continuing her life of service overseas. When Jesus left His earthly ministry, He left His Spirit in believers to carry out and fulfill His ministry! As Christ-followers, our mandate is to tune our hearts to His; and spend our lives in service to Him & for His Glory! May we all be encouraged to serve Him wherever He leads!

Lipic Restoration Project

Mark Lipic is a builder. As with most contractors in his field, he views each project as a challenge and opportunity to take an existing structure and make it more sound, more beautiful, or more useful to the owner. Sometimes it's necessary for him to begin building from the ground-up. Mark's latest project however, will be to help restore lives: not building structures.

Mark is not only a talented building contractor, but has a huge heart for God. He loves to share Jesus: with anyone and everyone who will listen! And his passion to share the Hope of Jesus will soon manifest on an even larger scale, when this Spring Mark and his family move to Catania, Sicily!!

This isn't the first time Mark, his wife Kathy, and their three children Grant, Alex and Nia have accepted the assignment of Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples of all nations. The Lipics have lived a life of ministry to international students at ISU for several years. They have hosted Bible Study groups in their home, which can often turn into world religion debates with students. They share their family holidays with internationals and have even traveled overseas on a number of occasions to spend time with international students and their families.

Mark and Kathy will have the opportunity to minister to the nations in one place as they reach out to multi-nationals in refugee camps in Catania, as well as in a CARA in Mineo: an hour's drive from Catania, Sicily.

Catania is the second largest city of Sicily. Strategically located on the east coast facing the Ionian Sea, it has become one of the main entry points for refugees crossing into Europe. Those who make it safely across the Sahara desert, then often choose to make a harrowing Mediterranean Sea crossing. They cram together on over-crowded boats piloted by inexperienced sailors; many of them traffickers charging exorbitant prices for the risky venture.

According to the law, asylum-seekers can be held in this Accomodation Centre for Asylum Seekers (CARA) for 35 days: but the average stay at this Mineo location is a year. Because the refugees are away from their home countries under extreme situations, and are often separated from their families; their hearts are open to the Gospel now more than ever.

Our friend Amy told me a while back, "You guys need to meet the Lipics. They adopted their daughter from South Korea, and they're going to minister to refugees!" That's all it took to connect us with Mark and Kathy. Luke and I recently enjoyed a lovely meal with the Lipics at our favorite resturant, "Epiphany Farms" in downtown Bloomington.

It was great to hear their story of how God led them to this point of selling their home and closing out Lipic Builders, Inc. We hit it off right away! You know the kind of sweet fellowship you share with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Even if you've never met before; there's a unique oneness in Christ. (We talked for nearly 5 hours, people!) It was a blessed time of encouragement and prayer for both our families and the work God has called each of us to live out.

Over delicious farm-to-table delicacies, Kathy admitted that for a while, they didn't see themselves going overseas. Oh, they have always been involved in missions; taking the Perspectives course, Kairos, and Jonathan Training.

The TOAG training they completed at Eastview Church was an intense course that even required their family to withdraw from regular church attendance for several months. This was so they could do home-church and feed themselves and their family the Word; the reality being that missionaries often don't have the luxury of attending large-gathering churches where they are Spiritually fed by a pastor or church leader.

Kathy said, "We always took these trainings and attended conferences so we could be good senders." Now God has called them to be one of those being "sent". And the need is great.  The Lipic family shares the following video to those interested in learning more about what has become the greatest human migration crisis in history.

It was a gradual progression to this point. Kathy traveled to Italy with Team Expansion in May of 2016 where she helped with a kids program for the missionary children and met families who are serving all over the world. This was the beginning of the Lipic's relationship with Team Expansion.

Mark and Kathy felt led to be a part of Kairos training course the Summer of 2016, where they learned about the need for workers in Catania with refugees. By that point, God had already began stirring their hearts toward missions. Mark & Kathy began intently praying about pursuing overseas long-term missions.

They both took a vision trip to Sicily in January of 2017 and met many of the missionary families they will be working with. Mark will be overseeing discipleship and evangelism; going out to the refugee camps and seeking those who would like to begin relationships with the team families. Kathy is excited to host internationals once again for meals; to listen to their stories and share the Hope of Christ with them.

"People would see us and say, 'When are you going on the mission field?'," Mark laughed. "I always said 'I will go as soon as He tells me - then I'll be there.'" Now, it looks as though that is becoming a reality!

Catania, Sicily

Team Expansion has a strategic vision to reach the nations within refugee camps.
From the Lipic's ministry newsletter:

"The Bible speaks of a great multitude that no one could number, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). As we search for and find persons of peace within the refugee camps, we will invest deeply in them; train and disciple them, and equip them to go into the camps to share with and disciple others like them. Utilizing church planting and disciple-making movement practices, we will train disciples to make disciples. Many nations are present in this refugee situation and for this reason we find Catania Sicily to be a strategic location for Kingdom work."

As time goes on these disciples will be placed throughout the world to help reach others for Christ!

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." - John 4:35

If God is leading you to invest in reaching refugees with the Hope of the Gospel, please consider giving financially toward this Kingdom purpose!!

Credit card donations: 
1. Go to: teamexpansion.org/thelipics/
2. Click the "Give Online" link
3. Enter a "Contribution Amount"
4. Please check the box if you'd like to give every month.
5. You will recieve a confirmation email with a tax deductible receipt.

Mail checks:
1. Please make checks payable to "Team Expansion"
2. Write a memo or attach note "Mark & Kathy Lipic Account #1005" & send with check
3. Mail check/memo to:
Team Expansion
C/O Theresa Berry
4112 Old Routt Rd.
Louisville, KY 40299

"Prayer is the engine that makes it all run," Mark says. He and Kathy know that this mission is not possible without the prayers and financial support of many partners in ministry! They thank you for joining with them in proclaiming His Name and His Word to the refugees in Catania!

They can be reached at lipicbunch5@gmail.com.

New Eyes 2018

As we write this, a soft snowfall is right on time for Christmas Eve. There is something so silent and pure about the first snow of the season.  The crisp clean air is both invigorating and soothing.  White drifts cover indiscriminately; making the drab winter earth beautiful. It reminds us of the analogy of Grace in Psalm 51:7: "...wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." 

Here we are at the end of another year already! Next week, 2017 will be ushered out as 2018 comes sailing in. Now is the time we look back and reflect on the highs and lows; but most importantly, the lessons we learned. As imperfect image bearers of Christ, we regret the times we did not represent Him well. We give God glory for opportunities we thankfully didn't squander.

Our hope is that in 2018, we'll even more closely walk out the mandate of Ephesians 5; to "...be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

The Internet is buzzing with year-end recaps of every kind. Plenty of commentators are talking about what history was made (and is still being made) in 2017. From athletes & sports teams to election cycles; men and women everywhere proved their worth through commitment and hard work.

History is made by nations & leaders; people in positions of power who will be remembered for their good, evil, or indifference: the insignificant and the significant.

Regrettably, while there were many marked changes and triumphs in our own nation in 2017, there were also notable changes made that transform what was once known as a "shining city on a hill".

The Statue of Liberty is inscribed with the words: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Those promises will now no longer be true for our many persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the human tide that is the greatest refugee crisis in the history of the world.

Our free nation was founded by immigrants; developed by the manpower of immigrants, and cultured by history, art and literature of immigrants. The powers-that-be and a large segment of the population (that alarmingly includes many Christians) have thrown their weight behind the slowly closing door of freedom and safety for those who need it most. 


In a me-first, wholly self-centered society, how quickly we forget that our lives are held in the hand of God. Our very breath is a gift from Him. The freedoms we enjoy as people with power, money and influence, have been given to us to bless others.

Matthew 24:12  "Because of increased lawlessness,  the love of many will grow cold."

While arguments against admitting refugees appear to be well grounded on the surface, the term "fake news" coined earlier this year largely applies to way the migration crisis has been reported in the western world. 

A threat of terrorism is virtually a non-issue since refugees undergo the most stringent vetting process in the United States (i.e. terrorists wouldn't attempt to enter the US as a refugee). Never in history has an act of terror been committed in the US by a refugee: let alone by a Syrian. Over half of the world's refugees are children under the age of 18. The majority of refugees seeking safety in the United States are women & families who need the safety and new start our land of opportunity can provide. 

The "America First!" mantra has been a seeping poison into the hearts and minds of Christians across the Nation for years. This self-preservation has risen to a frenzied height that shockingly echoes from another dark era. It clouds our ability to make moral choices and eliminates compassion for humanity: all who were created in the image of God and who are loved by Him.

This isn't the first time our "beacon of hope" was snuffed out. Looking back, most of the immigrants denied entry to the United States during WWII tragically met their death at the hands of Soviets and Nazis. This list includes Anne Frank and her family who were denied refugee status and died in a German concentration camp. It should shake a slumbering self-centered culture back to the reality of where this new nationalistic climate can lead.

"For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." - Deuteronomy 10:14

During this season, the world largely remembers a young family awakened in the middle of the night with horrifying news. Their ruler was slaughtering thousands of baby boys in hopes of cutting off the Messiah wrapped in the body of a newborn baby. The terror that couple must have felt as they quickly gather their things and fled, now refugees, on a long journey through the night to Egypt; not to return until this murderous King died years later.

The Bible doesn't say much about their time in Egypt, nor the years spent no doubt with Joseph working very hard to care for his family's needs with his Carpenter trade, while young Mary tried to assimilate as best she could with her young son into the new culture. Were they embraced with compassion or driven to the shadows of society? The Word tells us Jesus Christ has experienced every trial and tribulation we encounter on earth: of course He understands the plight of the refugee. 

We look at our world and shake our heads, lamenting with Jeremiah in ch. 16; "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace." 


Thankfully we can trust the God of peace who is always with us... He knows the beginning to the end of 2018 and holds it all together in His omnipotent hands. With Him in charge, we have nothing to fear!!

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Our prayer for 2018 is that we will find a renewed sense of compassion to be the hands and feet of Jesus. That we realize when we stand before the Throne God will not ask what our nationality was on Earth; nor how well we looked to the interest of our own selves. What will matter is how much we poured out our lives for God's glory... 

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Wishing you a blessed New Year and a Merry Christmas that lasts throughout the whole of 2018!

Books we're currently reading and highly recommend...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

5 Kernels of Corn...

It's a bright blue sky shining on orange pumpkins and brown leafless trees outside our window; making it the perfect Thanksgiving morning!

The children enjoyed listening to this radio drama; the story of the first Thanksgiving.

As I listened during my thanksgiving meal prep, I was overwhelmed again by the redemption and forgiveness in this historic account.

The native American Squanto, who had lost so much personally, was sent along with another Indian Samoset to observe the Pilgrims. After that first harsh winter, when over half of the 102 pilgrims had died, they had built their homes in the shelter of the very location where Squanto's tribe had been the day he was kidnapped by British slave traders.

I don't think we Americans realize after generations of our watered-down version of the Pilgrim story, how many truths from our earliest history are repeating themselves today!

There was much slavery puportrated by the early discoverers of America; kidnapping the Indians & taking them back to Europe to put on display and sell as boughten goods. It's horrifying to think of the disease that swept through the unsuspecting tribes; plagues brought on by travelers from long sea voyages from England and Spain.

But the other startling fact to remember is that the pilgrims themselves were refugees! That little band of Puritans escaped religious persecution first in their home country and then when they tried to assimilate in Holland, found that their persecutions followed them.

Finally, in their desperate wish to live in freedom and practice their faith as they chose, voyaged to a new rugged land filled with unwelcoming inhabitants and harsh living conditions.  My heart broke again for the story of the women and children who suffered during that voyage and during the first brutal winter where they were ill prepared in every way for the elements of Massachusetts.

As Squanto observed them in their squalid conditions, watching them bury their dead, his heart took pity on them. He was even able to forgive the Englishmen though their countrymen had been the source of his own persecution just a few years before.

It is evident in our early American history that God had His hand in the hearts of men; turning the Native Americans toward the English refugees at a moment when they so desperately needed assistance.

I just finished reading the memoir "Dear World" by Bana Alabed. This book is so riveting, I actually read it in one afternoon and evening... I couldn't put it down!

The displacement of families in Syria and many other parts of the Middle East and Africa has rendered the greatest migration of human beings globally since World War II.

As we gather around our table with our loved ones today, enjoying delicious meals that represent the harvest and bounty of blessings in all our lives, we'll remember our earliest beginnings. We will look at the 5 kernels of corn beside each plate: a symbol of the meager food rations - literally 5 kernels of corn per person - that the tiny band of refugees endured that first winter.

They pilgrimaged into an unknown future,  trusting in a Known God; leaving intense persecution for a life of hope and a future of religious freedom for their children.

We'll also be remembering our Christian brothers and sisters who even now are making their own pilgrimages; searching for a place of safe haven to raise their families under religious freedom.

Let's all open our hearts and maybe even our homes as Squanto did, to those who are so foreign from us; those who don't eat or dress the same, look the same, or sound the same. Squanto looked in from his own place of personal difficulties & had compassion: and then stepped in to help and assimilate these newcomers to his beloved land.

Have a compassionate Thanksgiving!
With love from all of us - the Schurter family

Crossing the finish line

Most of the races we remember have triumphal endings. The finishers propel themselves through the tape in cadence with exuberant cheers and applause of onlookers.  It seems as though somewhere toward the end of the race, they gathered up what remaining strength they had left to end the race strong.

Other finishers stagger across the finish line looking blearily around for faces they recognize, water, and a place to collapse and rest their weary legs. Some runners even cross the finish line only to double over and immediately begin to vomit all over the track.

Our official finish to the paperwork side of our adoption seemed to be a lot more like that of the latter runners.

This past Monday, Luke and I traveled with Boaz up to Chicago to appear in court for the final paperwork portion of this adoption.

We had researched several adoption attorneys in our area and ended up deciding the most financially conservative decision would be to go up to Cook County where a lovely woman name Denise Patton advocates on behalf of adoptive families.

Denise is an attorney with 20 years of experience in adoptions; and as an adoptive mother herself, has the compassion and understanding to simplify what could have been a fairly complicated adoption process in the State of Illinois.

Our adoption agency doesn't consider the adoption finalized until we have we re-adopted Boaz in our home state; ensuring he has Illinois birth certificate, final adoption decree, and other paperwork that makes his life much more seamless in the future.

We have been going so strong for so long during this massive paperwork process... traveled over three weeks in Korea between August and September... and now a trip up to Chicago... I think it's finally starting to catch up with us. In short, we grown-ups are pretty exhausted! I feel like we staggered over the finish line on Monday.

It was a fairly breezy drive up to the Daley Government Center.  We arrived in time to check out a donut shop across the street and pick up a box for the other children who were enjoying the day at home with Grammy.

Boaz did great in the adoption playroom.  We were number 5 on the court call,  so waited our turn.  It was fun to watch a particularity exuberant group who came to support the adoption of a 3 year old little girl.  The shining eyes and smiling faces of the well wishers gathered there spoke volumes about the value of each little life.

It's so important to embrace life beyond voting Pro-Life in the ballot box...  To truly be "Pro-Life" is to support and advocate on behalf of the least of these little ones after their mamas have chosen to carry them full-term.

We joyfully stood before the judge when our names were called and "re-adopted" Boaz into our family under the State of Illinois law.  Boaz got to choose a Beanie Baby stuffed animal from a basket and a baby - safe sucker to eat.

We were impressed by the smooth experience and can't recommend Denise highly enough for her professionalism and personality.

After a few more fun photos, we followed her down to the County Clerk's office and waited a few minutes for our judge sealed adoption decree.

It was honestly such a smooth day,  that I was silently pretty proud of ourselves.  I packed Bo warmly in my Onya child carrier ♡ and he was content even in chilly windblown downtown Chicago. Little did I know the wheels were about to fall off this happy train.

Luke had scoped out the area online beforehand and surprised me by walking us around the corner from the Goodman Theater to a nice Italian restaurant (he knows those are a favorite of mine!)

After we were seated and Boaz was happily eating cheerios and sipping a bottle of formula, Luke needed to go move our truck. We'd timed out the $14 parking spot he'd booked online.

No worries.  I ordered our delicious lunch and settled in for the celebration of adoption paperwork finale!!

Then the unthinkable happened.  A parent's public scrutiny nightmare.

Bo must've swallowed the water I was spoon-feeding him wrong: he started to choke and then threw up. Not once.  Not twice. Three times.

There were a few other tables filled with groups enjoying conversation and glasses of wine in the 3 o'clock hour. To my knowledge, amazingly, they appeared not to even notice.

I patted Bo's back, loosely holding a brilliantly white cloth napkin in front of his mouth, rolling it up as he filled it. Poor little guy lost it all.  I grabbed cloth napkins, even snapping the napkin out from under the bread in the basket like a magician. I hissed at Luke to start handing me diaper wipes.

He had been sitting across the table staring in horror. It was like a train wreck: you couldn't look away but were completely helpless to stop the damage.

I took Bo to the ladies room to clean up, and couldn't help but laugh when a calm and balmy French love song greeted my ears.  It was a gorgeous bathroom with marble counters and fine furnishings. As I wiped down my sweet little boy, who was now content and grinning at me, I was thinking,  "Of course! This day was definitely going too good to be true!"

Isn't that how it goes sometimes?? There I was, floating along on a cloud, feeling a little nostalgic like a roaring 20s celebrity in a beautiful restaurant with my best friend and young son... who had just thrown up all over the experience.

Needless to say we hastily finished our late  lunch and made a quick exit; Luke lamenting his $31 parking fee after moving the truck, and then of course we then hit rush hour traffic.

Bo screamed half the way home because he hated being in the carseat... worked himself up so much that he threw up again... all over his carseat... and so ended our day in Chicago! And our new life with Boaz officially began.

You can bet as we were driving home with a screaming toddler covered in his own spit-up on a congested highway, taking three hours on a trip that should take two, we grumbled about the difficulties of adoption.

It isn't always pretty. It isn't always fun. In fact it can be downright messy! When you choose the hard and sacrifice so much, it's tempting to question why God allows such inconveniences and frustrations on days when we should feel joy and elation!

It reminded me very much of our dear friends Bob and Kristi who gave up all their worldly possessions, leaving family and friends and chose the hard for the sake of bringing Christ's love to the hurting people of South Sudan.

While their excitement and exuberance propelled them across the ocean, upon arrival Bob began to suffer with an unexplained illness: severe fatigue and high fevers that doctors could not explain (this later turned out to be a severe case of Mono).

During those times when Bob felt deflated and even depressed on the mission field, he shared how God walked with them through the wilderness of this experience that had such a joyful beginning and descended quickly into confusion, frustration, and pain.

My friend Marianne wisely said "discouragement must be one of Satan's favorite tools against Christians."

We start out so strong! We feel so on-fire for the Lord's will for our lives as we read the Word. We begin to walk out His precepts and then suddenly we're sidelined by setbacks! Isn't everything supposed to go smooth when we're following His plan?!

It's easy in these moments to become self-centered and feel sorry for ourselves. But praise God we look back and see His fingerprints over every step of the way!
He hasn't abandoned us or the mission He has us on. In the rough moments He literally carries us because we are too weak to continue on in our own strength!

We've crossed the finish line of the official adoption and have begun a new race of adoptive parenting.

It is with great joy but utter humbleness that we continue this journey; knowing that in our weakness, our strength is perfect when we rely on His strength to finish well!