At the beginning of this month, Elizabeth went to visit "Daddy Chris" in Norfolk, VA for the first time on her own.  I was the one that dropped her off at the airport.  We had planned the trip so it was a non-stop trip and we were trying to limit any problems she might have at the airports.  I was able to get a pass and actually walk her to the gate because she was a minor and Chris could do the same on the receiving end.  As she got on the plane and I watched her dissappear down the gate walkway, I was flooded with emotion (as I am now). 

I prayed at that moment, "Lord, please watch over her.  Keep her safe.  Do what You want to do.  Guard her heart, Lord.  Bless the time she has there and, Lord, Help ME.  Help me to KNOW she is YOURS and You are the watchman."   My sister Wyndi often quotes the verse from Psalm 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain."   I had that verse stuck in my head the whole time as I watched the plane pull away from the gate (and yes, I was crying like a baby).  I just wanted her to be safe and not to be hurt in any way and for her to have the trip she had been dreaming of,  but ultimately, I had to remember that God is the great orchestrator of our lives.  He knows all our hopes and dreams and struggles -- and He also knows what is best for us.....We are HIS.  He knit Elizabeth together in my womb all those years ago and what a wonderful job He did.  He knit together the entire huge unusual :) family she has now and what a wonderful job He did.  Thank you Lord. 

As far as I can tell, Elizabeth had a wonderful time on her trip and I believe great times were had by all.

I am so thankful for all God has done in Elizabeth's life to make her who she is today.  She is an awesome, compassionate, caring, giving young woman who I admire more than she knows.  Thank you Lord, for all You do and for making her into the wonderful person she is today.  Thank You that she is Yours. 

On my way home from the airport, after dropping Elizabeth off, I heard a song on KLOVE by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It was like God was pushing this point home even more....telling me that no matter what happened, she is still His....we are all His - in EVERYTHING that goes on in our lives.  The song is called "Yours" and here is a youtube version of it and the lyrics.  God Bless!

Steven Curtis Chapman - Yours
From the album This Moment

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Somthing that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London in Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

Chorus:
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

Chorus:

(4x’s)
It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God

You're the King of Kings
And Lord of Lords

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here
in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you

I guess I'm gonna be updating this blog a little more often instead of using our mission blog.  I'll be using this for more updates regarding my recent bout with meningitis and other personal updates....If you don't know about my meningitis (or the mission trip), you can get caught up at www.motherdaughtermissionalbania.blogspot.com

Just to sum up everything a little bit for everyone, I have copied a portion of our mission blog and also a letter that I sent out a week and a half ago to some of my friends.  Definitely let me know if you have any questions. 

“Well, It's been a very long, scary month. Since 2/21/08, I've been on antibiotics with a sinus infection, in the ER with numbness, nausea, weakness that slowly became debilitating to the point of delirium (requiring the ER staff to place me in soft restraints and obtain police assistance in order to perform procedures on me because I didn't know who I was or where I was and only occasionally did I know who was with me), admitted to the ICU, diagnosed with viral....then bacterial....then back to viral meningitis, admitted to the regular floor of the hospital, discharged home for the weekend, readmitted to the ER and then to the hospital again with numbness, tingling and weakness along with massive migraine type headaches, discharged home and then readmitted that same day with the same symptoms....after a total of 11 days in the hospital, a spinal tap, a spinal fluid leak requiring a blood patch that I basically arranged myself, 3 attempted CT scans (I was so uncomfortable....and slightly delirious, so I couldn't be still), 3 successful CT scans on each admission, one sinus scan, one MRI with contrast, one PIC line with 11 total days of PIC (IV type) antibiotics, more lab and meds than I can count and a final diagnosis of meningitis developing from a sinus infection and turning into an infection of the brain, I am finally home. Are you confused. That's ok....I am too, but I have a diagnosis to go with it.”

It's a Proud Day Here at our House.  It's official, Elizabeth is the newest driver in our household.  We are now prouder, poorer and a little frightened....but not much.  She's actually a very good driver.  Thanks to all for your prayers during this wonderfully proud and slightly scary time.  Love you all :)