We left off Part 2 with our time in Chihuahua. We had to get back to El Paso by a certain day to return our rental car. It was already Thursday at that point, just a few days before the boys were supposed to start school.
And it was Brady's 4th Birthday! It was special to be driving through Chihuahua City exactly on that day (more to come yet on Brady's birthday).
After visiting our agency when we arrived in El Paso, we had to decide what to do again! Our paperwork had to be re-started because of some things that had happened at the customs, so we knew it would be till at least the Wednesday of the next week. We debated leaving our van there and flying home but that would have meant Dallas flying back up to the border and driving down later with the van once the paperwork came through.
So...we ended up deciding to wait it out (mostly because it was cheaper to stay, assuming the van would be ready in a few days).
This was honestly not a very relaxing time, as at that point the boys should have been starting school and we were so eager to just get home already, and we felt so unsure of what we should do. And at the same time, as a family, it was a good time together.
They boys were so relaxed the entire trip, and Dallas and I were able to just enjoy being together without the busyness of regular life. Everyday that we waited, we did some things with the boys, and then every afternoon we checked with our agency to see if the paperwork had come through that day.We also ended up buying several school supplies that we could find there that were the same as here in Mexico, so it would be ready when we got back, bought a clipper to cut the boys hair so they would be ready for school (buying the clippers was cheaper than taking the 3 to a hairdresser! ha!), communicating daily with our cell group and friends back in Gdl, and Dallas did some work on writing articles and Bible study prep. So while we felt like we were wasting our time by waiting, we tried to make the most of it!
I am so thankful for the family God has given me - Dallas, our 3 boys...
Once the next Thursday rolled around, our agency told us that the customs agents were telling her it would be minimum another 2 weeks. So it was either leave our van there to wait on the paperwork and fly home, or cancel the entire thing and just go.So Friday morning, we were on the road with our van!
You do what you can but when you can only do so much, you have to make a decision. We feel that all along we made good decisions with the info we had, and that last week we were praying to have a clear answer as to what to do, as it often felt ambiguous. When we were told at least 2 weeks (rather than 2 days as before), we knew we should cancel and go! So it was good to have clear direction at that point.
Even though it was disappointing to have been gone that extra time and paid extra money to stay there longer, I think that the important thing is our testimony before others and our attitudes, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. I will admit my attitude was not always the best when I got stressed about what we should do and feeling useless being away from Gdl for that long, and I am continuously amazed by Dallas' peace and trust in God in situations like this. We are good combo I must say :-) And we saw God's hand in so many little things both in El Paso and Chihuahua, that we can't not be thankful for the trip regardless of this outcome.
That concludes our Summer Trip 2014! We are now meeting up again with everyone here in Gdl, we were so ready to get back into the swing of things and the boys started school on Monday ready to go. My house is in sore need of some cleaning and there is a ton of laundry to do, so it's on to that this morning!
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