This blog was written by my mom after experiencing the Parent Vision Trip.
Enjoy!
We just kept looking at each other and saying did you ever dream you would be in Romania? Can you believe we are in Romania? We had been counting down the days and hours until we would see our girl. I had an App on my phone with her picture that kept track of the time down to the second that we would see her. We had been faithfully praying for her safety and provision for her and for us to be able to make the trip. And God again and again met us and provided exceedingly more than we could imagine.
We arrived for PVT a day early. This mom (who imagines everything from A to Z and Genesis to Revelation, floods to plagues and everything in between that can go wrong) had to make sure we arrived with plenty of time to spare just in case there were delays or trouble with travel. We settled in to our hotel for the night feeling like kids waiting for Santa to arrive.
At the first glimpse of daylight I quietly grabbed my bible and journal and headed to the lobby to read and pray and finish my letter of blessing to my racer. Just across the lobby from me was a young dad playing with the cutest blonde baby. She was that age where they have 4 tiny teeth and are the cutest ever (even at 6 am). She kept hiding behind her dad then popping over the edge of the couch and playing peek a boo with me. I am Not getting much reading or writing done as I am having the best time playing with this baby. Sorry Jesus …but I am totally distracted by this little girl that looks so much like my Shelby did at that age. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and yes… even the 4 tiny teeth in her grin. I was reminded that at this same time 23 years ago I was also excitedly anticipating seeing Shelby. My due date was fast approaching and I was so ready to meet her for the first time…. to hold my baby… and bring her into this world. This time I am filled with anticipation and excitement to meet this young woman that has now been around the world. This woman that I know has been so changed by the events of the last 8 months. I think about these two periods of time and how similar they are. They both have taken about the same amount of time, both processes were painful…yet so full of joy, and both transitioned me to a new chapter of life. The dad hops back on the elevator with the baby and I pray for them and for our day ahead and finish my letter of blessing with my heart and eyes full.
We meet with other excited parents and head out for the two hour drive to our missionaries. We survive the wild ride and everyone unloads the bus. We are all watching and waiting and not sure which directions they will come from. Words cannot describe this moment. Racers began to run out of the church doors… one by one they ran to their parents. Still watching for our girl we joked that she would be the last one. Then came the biggest smile out the door. I’ve missed her hugs the most. That was the best hug ever. I ran to meet her and squeezed her tightly as her dad wrapped his arms around us both. This began an amazing week of catching up and doing ministry together. We have worked together in local ministry in our hometown. Shelby has worked beside me preparing soup and making deliveries in our church soup ministry. Shelby has jumped in her dad’s truck as he set out to deliver wood for our wood ministry. We have always ministered within our community but never on this level. This time she took the lead. It was priceless to see her in her element and coaching us as we navigated through language barriers and a different culture. Amazed as this confident, kind, and genuine woman ministering and loving on people and leading worship. We too fell in love with the beautiful people of Romania and made friendships with other racer families and missionaries involved in this ministry. Our days were full of prayer walks, eyeglass distribution, and children’s ministry. Chad helping with glucose checks and Shelby and I teaming up to share the gospel and pray for those coming through. We all face painted and laughed til it hurt.
We are home now and we are still looking at each other saying did we really just do that? Did we really go to Romania? We shake our heads and know that yes we went to Romania and we also brought a little of Romania back with us in our hearts.
After a long day of travel with delays and an unexpected overnight stay in Amsterdam we hopped off our final flight and grabbed our bags. We found a bench outside the airport to wait for our ride. He grabs my hand and says Lord we just want to thank you… we prayed and thanked God for our safe travels, the amazing week together as a family, for Shelby and her squad as they continue their journey and for our new friends and ministry host. We prayed for God’s will over Shelby’s life and for guidance and direction for her as she makes decisions in the coming months. I started a new countdown on my phone. 3 months until she’s home again. Thankful for the peace He gives. Thankful for the fields and fields of sunflowers that I still see when I close my eyes. My heart remains full when I think of the laughter of the children there and how their smiles and giggles needed no interpretation. Thankful for honey and bees and new friends. Blessed with a new perspective and growth these last months as I have seen God be so faithful to take care of her. As much as I love her which is ALOT – with every fiber of my being … I know her good, good Father loves her even more and has her safely under His wing.
Below is a video that Shelby put together about our PVT week for the church that we partnered with.
