Day 60 - When it Rains...

I know I'm not the first to say, "When it rains, it pours!"  Around Addis, this phrase is used quite literally during the rainy season.  People run for cover when the slightest sprinkle begins knowing that torrential downpours are on the horizon.  Figuratively, it seems as though this phrase is more of the rule than the exception in life.  Rain, or trials come BOGO style, except instead of Buy One Get One, it should be Buy One Get 1,000.

Mark and I knew when we applied for adoption that we were going to be getting a lot more than a beautiful blessing from God.  We were "buying" into potential battles, spiritual, financial, and relational.  I have to admit, things have been relatively easy for us so far.  Aside from the difficulty with paperwork, saving money, and the frequent "Is he white or hobesha (Ethiopian)?" stare, we've had no real issues.   Until now...

Mark and I have been in a transitional period over the past two months.  We live in New Orleans, but Mark has accepted a job in Houston.  To keep things "easy" for the adoption, we've kept New Orleans our permanent address, and Mark has worked during the week in Houston while I've been in Ethiopia.  When we return home (to New Orleans), we will be moving our address to Houston to be closer to Mark's work.

Shortly after Mark arrived in Addis two weeks ago, our friend (who was cleaning our house as a surprise to me from Mark) emailed and said there was an air conditioning leak in the roof and the ceiling had caved in leaving the carpet wet.  Being completely powerless to change the situation a world away, we asked our friend to become our "general contractor" in repairing our house, especially since we are going to put in on the market soon.  This was not good news, but manageable news I guess, and there was little we could do to change it.

A couple of days ago, as tropical storm Lee hovered near New Orleans, our neighbors emailed to show us the rising water in the neighborhood and ask if they could move our car out of the street.  Thankful, we told them where they could find a key, and we hoped for the best.  Yesterday, we got an email that the car floorboards were wet, and that there was an awful smell in the car.  This is our newest car, and the car we planned to drive to Houston in with our son in his new carseat.  Needless to say, those plans have changed.

Tomorrow I'm bracing myself for a tree to fall on the roof, a burglar to steal my TV, or maybe the truck will suddenly go into reverse and back into the neighbor's beautifully manicured garden!  I'm ready.  Bring it on, life!

"When it rains it pours" means more to me than the sloshy puddles I will wade through to get my next macchiatto down the street in Addis.  These raindrops are starting to take the form of dollar signs, and they feel more like a hailstorm than a rainstorm.

In all of this, I am confident that God is on our side and working all things together for good because we love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Even if it is that we do get a little wet along the way.