I clicked open my email to swiftly scan my messages 45 minutes ago. We were touched down in Albuquerque on a Southwest plane, heading to SLC to celebrate Christmas with my wild family, who seems mild compared to the man sitting behind us who only has one obnoxiously, sailor-cussing volume. As I scrolled through messages, Sue Hedberg rolled down the screen of my phone. No name has had the power to cause my heart to leap out of my chest upon first sight like hers. Last week the subject line read, “Embassy.” Heart out of chest! Often, the only information in the emails from Sue is what’s in the subject line. In that message, she stated our case was to be submitted to the embassy around December 8th. Sue said it would be a few weeks before it would be reviewed. At that point the Embassy could request more documentation, request a birth parent interview, or clear our girls to come home.

Today’s message…
subject: pick up trip (heart pounding out of chest)
As you know, the embassy could clear your adoption case at any time, or they could ask for birth parent interviews, further investigate the case or send it to Kenya for a long review. We never know what will happen! In order to be prepared for a quick embassy appointment, I need to know what your availability is for travel over the next few weeks…

Sue.

Our surreal are coming home. Our daughters from Kamashi, Ethiopia will be cocooned in our fold. In a short time (God-willing), Dennis and I will return to Ethiopia to wrap Meseret and Kamise in our arms, hold them, kiss them. This time we will not have to leave them behind in the Transition house, parentless. This time, we will take them to the airport for their first time. We will stand in the immigration line with their hands in ours, soberingly ushering them into American citizenship. Within a 5-foot expanse (and a year of paperwork and fundraising and fighting for them), their citizenship will transform from Ethiopian to American. When we walked that path in November, upon our return from our court trip, I was stunned by the reality of that. I couldn’t help but think about how at the moment I placed my trust in Christ to forgive my deep, dark sins and give me eternal life, my citizenship changed from an earthly one to a Heavenly one. I belonged to my Creator. Instantly. Though I reside here, my citizenship is there, with him. And how I battle to believe that reality, deep in my soul. As we cross that line, our daughters citizenship will change on the spot. Wild.

They will board their first plane, watching their momma steal barf bags out of all the surrounding seats. Now that will be an interesting game of charades…showing them how to use the barf bag. They will take off of the ground for their first time. Eat their first airplane meal (ewww). And after 28 some odd hours, make their debut at the Orlando International Airport, where they will be overwhelmingly embraced by their new siblings, hopefully some of the grandparents, and the most intimate of their new community.

As I complete my adoptive education kit, I’m sobered by the path of deep loss our girls will trod. Though they are being grafted into a family who is committed to loving and providing for them as well as they are able, and who long for Christ more than this earth or anything in it, they will grieve the loss of their culture, family, language, heritage. Only our Father knows how this will express. Only He is able to author their story, our story.

When we leapt off the cliff into mystery, responding to our Father’s leading just over a year ago, the free-fall took my breath away. And continues to do so, as Sue’s name in my inbox shows. Gratitude fills every part of my being as I think about the faith our Father has poured into me in the free-fall. How that faith he’s building will bring Him some glory. And how that faith he’s building in me will sustain me to be with our new daughters in the mysterious journey of joy and grief ahead. The ground is holy.

Madison, Keegan and Cole cannot wait for them to come home. Cole exclaimed the other day, “Can we set Meseret’s birth date on my birthday so we’re twins!? I’ve always wanted a twin!” Madison lights up at the thought of them. Keegan’s wheels spin at the many ways he wants to serve them and smooth the road less traveled.

Very soon, the Brockaman family’s story is going to meet the story of 8 and 10 year-old Ethiopian sisters. Through a most supernatural grafting, our pages will merge into one. I long to be able to read theirs. For now, the pages of their life are blank to me. There are only a few pictures.

Thankfully, Immanuel. God is with us.

I saw this video about the rise in interest and use of various social media services. It really is interesting. We as a ministry want to go where people are at so you will see more of this from un in the future. I am trying to figure it out myself. I blog, Tweet and Post at FaceBook. Recently I have been playing with a newer social media service called Path. It is the idea of one of the starters of Facebook who left and formed a new company. Path is the result. The interface is beautiful. Anyway, I thought you would find this interesting. This video is 2:45 long. Enjoy.

This video (just under 2 minutes) was commissioned by our ministry to say thank for partnering with us to help fulfill the Great Commission. Lisa and I are grateful to be part of this mission, and we so thankful for those that partner and work along side us. Together we are helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

Campus Crusade for Christ — Christmas Thank You from Masterworks on Vimeo.

Weekly Words with Larry Crabb.

Larry Crabb has mentored both Lisa and I. Not only through his books, but we have even had the privilege of spending time with him personally. What a gift! This year his ministry began sending out brief weekly thoughts to ponder. I especially like this one in light of the season we are in, although it is relevant at any time. I thought you would enjoy it too.

At our critique meeting today one of my team members showed us this video. It is so cleaver and the message is awesome. I thought you would enjoy it too if you have not seen it. It came out last year. Enjoy.

How do you thank nearly four thousand staff across the USA and around the world for their investment of their lives in helping to fulfill the Great Commission? Thankfully they don’t do it for the accolades or the holiday bonuses, and yet we want to say something for they are an incredible group of people. Our executive team asked us to help them craft a message, and the video below was posted this week on our campus staff site. If you pray for  us and/or are able to support us through your giving, we would want to send the same message to you. Thank you.

I trust you know that our lives are more than our adoption. Thankfully God has called us to an incredible mission of taking the gospel to the students and faculty of our world so that we can leverage this strategic people group to help fulfill the Great Commission. It is helpful for me to remember that these students and faculty are the present and future leaders and influencers of much of our world. This remains the focus of our mission.

When ever news about a campus surfaces those of us working with students tend to notice, however, the recent sad news coming out of Penn State is disturbing. Our ministry is following God’s lead and responding in what I think is a beautiful way. This past Thursday our director their shared a message that moved people to look at the tragic events through a gospel lens. You can read that message by clicking here.

On another campus our Cru ministry did an outreach where they invited a senior enjoying a great season at Michigan State, Kirk Cousins to speak. Kirk shared with the crowd, “I’ve built my life on Jesus, and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.” You can read more about what Kirk shared with a crowd of more than 2,500 by clicking here.

Please continue to pray for our staff, students, and faculty as we seek to influence the rest of the campus for God’s glory.