Rhythm of Life = FAITH

Our family is learning a new rhythm of life - in a good way, but sometimes good is also hard.  It seems as though our family has been in a transition of some sort for 6 months or more. We have had 4 or 5 major family changes in less than 6 months.  They are good changes, but they are challenging changes.  They have been changes that have forced us to depend on God above everyone and everything else.  I am not learning the lesson very well, clearly, because boy can I feel the refining He is continuing to do in me.
We got another call on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving) and found out that more is missing from our court documents than we thought - a specific letter with specific information has to be obtained before we can get the recommendation letter (which we are also waiting for).  Our case was rescheduled (again) for December 3rd.  Oh how disappointed I was - and honestly still am!  I had a very hard time finding anything to be thankful for and I spent most of Wednesday questioning God and asking a lot of whys!!  I don't think God is upset with me for being sad, disappointed and frustrated - after all HE made this mama's heart and HE has filled it with great love for Mary-A!  I still don't understand why it is taking so long, why HE has chosen this path for our journey, why we seem to be moving in the wrong direction, why God doesn't move the legal mountains to make this adoption happen by Christmas (which HE could do), I don't know the answer to these and many more whys - but what I do know is... it doesn't really matter WHY - what matters is that God is in control!! God is sovereign!! God is good!! and God loves Mary-A even more than I do!!  I am learning to rest in these truths.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
   and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
   nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
   I will bring your children from the east
   and gather you from the west.   Is 43:1-5

The other transition of our life I won't go into right now, but suffice it to say,  it too is bringing challenges I do not feel equipped to handle.  Our security rug was pulled out from under us and we have been left with decisions that we were not prepared to make and disappointments in relationships we never anticipated.  Beth Moore said "Please set me free from the false security that comes from having more of anything than I really need." (Eccl 4:6) -- when I first read this, I immediately thought of the financial aspect - but as I thought about it and reread it, I realize that God only reveals to me, He only gives me, as much of the future as I need.  If I saw more than what is 3 ft in front of me, it would not require me to have as much faith to take the next step. 
We are faced with exciting opportunities, a beautiful journey of the heart and a tomorrow that asks us to have MUCH faith -- to trust God with our family, our future and our hearts!!  God is at work in a big way, and we trust that He is preparing us for something bigger than we know.  The trials and difficulties we face today and tomorrow are just building blocks for us to be stronger and closer to each other and to Him.
As you think of our family, will you please pray that decisions would be very clear, that God would move in a mighty way so that we may bring Mary-A home soon, and that above all HE would be glorified through our family. 

Blessed for the Ride

"Please fasten your seat belt, keep your arms and hands in the car at all times, and hold on tight. Welcome to the international adoption roller coaster - you are in for the ride of your life!"

Anyone that is involved in Ethiopian adoption has heard the news posted today at the Court in Addis Ababa. Adoptive parents must appear at their child/children's court hearing. What this means for us adoptive families is that we are now required to travel twice. Once for the court hearing and then again weeks/months later to bring our children home. And so goes the ups and downs of international adoption. I was quite sad when I first heard the news, but through several conversations with God, a godly husband and a sweet godly friend, I am seeing the upside of this announcement.
First - I feel excited, honored and humbled to even be on this roller coaster ride. I am so glad to be a part of the Ethiopian adoption experience. What if Craig and I had said 'no' to God or what if we hadn't listened to the calling HE placed on our hearts? We wouldn't be experiencing this exhilarating ride at all. Oh what we would have missed out on already!!
Second - we serve a BIG God - a HUGE God - a God so gigantic HE created everything out of nothing and yet HE cares about the details of my life. God was not surprised by this ruling today and HE holds our children in HIS hands until we come get them, whenever that might be.
Third - I refuse to let Satan discourage or disillusion me. The enemy is a joy killer and I say "through the power of Jesus Christ - get behind me" I will continue to have joy and be encouraged!!
Last but NOT least - I am grateful for the opportunity to have my faith tested, strengthened, and deepened in a way that it would not otherwise be. We can only grown spiritually when given trials and problems that require faith and dependence on God's power. "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Genesis 50:20
"You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives!"

In other news .....
I still rush out to the mailbox as soon as I hear the postal truck because I am waiting waiting waiting for our I-171 fingerprint approval. Any day now, I am just sure of it!!

To keep my occupied in the mean time, we are putting our house on the market this weekend. It seems so simply to type and say those words - not simple to actually make it happen. A little more paint, one more wallpaper border, new carpet and it will officially be in MLS and have a sign in the yard. We are SO grateful to have found a house that is perfect for our family and so we pray our current house sells quickly!! The housing roller coaster has been another ride that we have ridden several times. I am pretty sure it was the kiddie ride getting me ready for the crazy ride I am on now.

Prayer requests:
- quick, quick, quick sell of our house
- arrival of our I-171 soon
- receive word on our children soon
- God's loving hand on our children until we come for them
- peace in our home during this potentially chaotic time