Happy Birthday, My Calm and Steady Hubby!

We learned from a DVD sent to us in January from our agency that Patricia had a brother. We were in Des Moines in February when we learned that Philippe was available for adoption. The American and Haitian directors from the orphanage were in Iowa, speaking at various churches. We were staying at our friend's house, and that night my brother Paul called me. I told him about Philippe. We kind of both had nervous laughs at the beginning, but then he said that when he felt that he should move his family to Mexico, he found this verse: "But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 38:10)

Paul said we could shrink back in fear, or have faith and move forward. We knew we would move forward even before he called, but I can't say I wasn't freaked out at all about three adoptions at once. I definitely felt fear. Lee, on the other hand, was remarkably calm. While I kept pacing and repeating, "Oh my gosh! We have a son!" He said, with his classic matter-of-factness, "Yup, we do!" He said that he had been praying for a son. We had discussed adopting a boy later on, so that we could close the gap a bit between the girls. We had discussed how much easier it would be for Patricia if she had someone else from her orphanage to come home with her. God just (uh-huh) once again, (yup) had something else in mind for our journey. It would be now. It would be Philippe.

Throughout this process, and throughout the entire time I have known him, actually, Lee has been my calm and steady. He rarely gets mad (but of course I am the one who can draw that out of him); hardly anything phases him (except political and social injustices); he is a wonderful chef; he is a hard worker; is remarkably intelligent (is an analytical thinker and quite the theologian); he is witty; he has many talents, and he takes great care of this house, the critters and me. He is eager to take care of our kids and will be an excellent father. I am very grateful that when we both know which turn God is directing us to take, we both have the same strong sense of peace...adopting three kids at once, for example!

So Happy Birthday, calm and steady! We all know that someone as bouncy and hyper as you-know-who needs that as a counterbalance!