Peace in Every Moment

(written for adopting families)

God's Peace through the adoption Journey:

It begins differently for each person, for each family, but it is all rooted in Love.

It’s the Love of our Father that goes so deep, and is so abundant, that it cannot be contained.

He sets the lonely in families. - Psalm 68:6

And we see the lonely.

We are the action of God, and He calls us. He instructs us.

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. - James 1:27

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. - 1 Samuel 12:24

We respond. 

We respond with faith to add to the love.  We know the power of our God, and we follow knowing He will bring it “to completion”. (Philippians 1:6)

This love and this faith ignite and fuel our obedience, but the peace –

the peace of God is promised with our faith.  The peace comes as we give our control and our fear to Almighty God.

The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

When this love we feel turns into an act of faith, the gift of peace covers every moment.

The very presence of God becomes more tangible, and every day becomes a new revelation of His promises.

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The journey begins. 

You work and scheme every loophole you can to gain even one day in completing your dossier.

You hope, stress, and travel for documents and approvals.

But in it all, here is the peace:

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  -Hebrews 10:23

As you reel a series of what-if’s

and plan your family and life for the unknown,

Peace says:

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21

Then, in that moment

when all the hope collides with your child – real facts, real pictures…

A Letter of Intent – the intent that has built in your heart for years

The peace leads you to:

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:4

As you lie awake, a world away from holding her –

too far to dry a tear

too far to tuck her in.

The peace is knowing:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole world to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.  - 2 Chronicles 16:9

When you finally hold her - but first as a stranger

And pray that God speeds a miracle of bonding.

Find peace in the truth:

For nothing will be impossible with God.  Luke 1:37
Perfect Love casts out fear.  1 John 4:18

When the change is slow

And loves only goes one way.

You feel alone.

But you have peace because:

You are the God who sees me.  – Genesis 16:13

Then the barriers start to fade

The smiles take over

And the snuggles sink deeper

Oh, the peace:

Not to us, O Lord, but to You goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. - Psalm 115:1

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Our stories are different. Our timelines are different,

But the same Love brought us here, and the same Peace sustains us.

God streaks His promises across the sky, and He always keeps them.

May we always be ready to Love.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:6-7

Thankful for His peace,

Jonna Yarbrough

     

and God Bless Sofi.

All tucked in at home for 10 months. . .

It's been almost a year now since our trip around the world.
Our sweet Sofi Shu has grown and bloomed so beautifully in such a short time. 
Most of the time it's hard to remember she spent days years without us.
God has redeemed and healed - and will continue to do so.
I can't praise Him enough for the grace and love He has poured out.  There are still struggles and still scars, but Love has proven to be more powerful.

This week we celebrated the Chinese Moon Festival (Tennessee-style) with some glow-stick lanterns, Chinese dinner, and MoonPies.🙂
Last year, we celebrated for the first time and were exploding with anticipation for our trip to Sofi.
The moon festival seemed particularly special last fall, because the moon was one of the few things we shared.  We looked at the beautiful moon God had given, knowing Sofi saw that same moon. 

The world feels smaller when you love across oceans.

God holds us all in His grasp, and He is so much bigger and so able.
We can give all things to Him, and I continue to give my fears and worries to Him.

The Moon Festival is a Chinese tradition, but for us it's a special blend.
A blend of cultures 
A blend of family
A blend of blessings from a Great God.

Last year we began this familiar rhyme, and we continued it this year, remembering God's faithfulness:

I see the moon
and the moon sees me. 
God bless the moon
and God bless Sofi.