In the last 6 days, we've had 6 adoption-related appointments along with multiple adoption paperwork errands.
We are only 3 documents away!!!
Then, we will apply to USCIS for the final piece.
Tonight I submitted an application that will put us on the waiting list even before our dossier is complete. (This is huge)
It's been a major week for our process, combined with some great
family time.
Thankful doesn't even begin to explain how I feel.
Thank you again for all the prayers!!! Please keep praying!
We are so close. I don't know exactly how close, but close.
One step closer to our little beauty.
Full speed ahead!
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
Hope is Blooming
I placed little pieces of hope in the ground
after I wrote this post last fall.
I covered them up
believing - trusting - knowing
that God is at work.
Winter brought a lot of change. We started to see things that only God knew would come.
God began to give us a glimpse of things to come...
...at just the right time.
in just the right season.
We will be with our little beauty so much faster than seemed possible just weeks ago.
Years of waiting have turned to months,
and I can feel the promise emerging.
Today, we had the home visit for our new home study.
We are on a steady course to China.
We are praying for wisdom and peace as we complete our dossier to send to China and prepare for our little daughter.
Her beauty already blooms in my heart.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful."
Hebrews 10:23
after I wrote this post last fall.
I covered them up
believing - trusting - knowing
that God is at work.
Winter brought a lot of change. We started to see things that only God knew would come.
God began to give us a glimpse of things to come...
...at just the right time.
in just the right season.
We will be with our little beauty so much faster than seemed possible just weeks ago.
Years of waiting have turned to months,
and I can feel the promise emerging.
Today, we had the home visit for our new home study.
We are on a steady course to China.
We are praying for wisdom and peace as we complete our dossier to send to China and prepare for our little daughter.
Her beauty already blooms in my heart.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful."
Hebrews 10:23
Sunday, February 21, 2016
We Wait on the Lord.
Adoption is hard.
Nothing profound in that statement. It's just true.
Exactly three years ago, we made the decision to start the adoption process. God was speaking and moving strongly in our hearts.
Then the process began.
All we wanted to do was go scoop up a little child and love her forever.
But, it doesn't exactly work like that.
We began a process of research, choices, and decisions. Choices and decisions? It's so hard. There's a big, wide world, and we will gladly bring each and every orphan home. But, there are decisions.
1. Find an agency
(I have been very thankful for ours - America World Adoption)
2. Narrow to one country.
Well, that's actually easier than it sounds, because only some countries even have international adoption. The ones that do also have guidelines/requirements. We don't even qualify for some places.
So, our choice easily went to Ethiopia, and we quickly fell in love. We soaked up every bit of info we could over the last few years.
The world has become much smaller than it seemed before.
We've tried to share our journey and keep everyone informed along the way. At the beginning, we expected to be home and settled with our sweet girl by now. Lots of things have changed within their government, and after so many changes, our wait is not even half over.
We cling to God and His direction and providence in all these steps, big and small. Although the wait is terribly difficult, we have been staying on course unless God leads us otherwise.
Over the last couple of months, God has been speaking to me about our wait.
"You don't wait on a list. You wait on the Lord. Wait on me."
The words of Isaiah 40:31 resonate in my spirit.
It is true, when you wait on the Lord, you do not grow weary. He does renew your strength. You do rise above the circumstance and hold a different view of your path.
I thought God was assuring me that He was in control despite the wait. The logistics of a waiting list or legal process fall far beneath His power and sovereignty.
We wait on the Lord.
Another change in Ethiopia.
The government is considering a proposal for some very strict changes to the adoption process, especially international adoptions. With these new regulations, our family will no longer be eligible to adopt.
It's difficult news, and it breaks my heart for all the children who are already waiting too long.
There are no words.
Other countries have done similar things, and some have closed adoptions completely.
Adoption is a risky path to walk.
We wait on the Lord.
We prayed. We needed to make a decision.
It's time for some big updates in our process. We needed to choose our course.
Again, the choices are quite narrow.
We could go in a few different directions, so we prayed.
God has led us to China.
Our agency is allowing transfers to the China program, because China has actually made their qualifications more attainable.
The world keeps getting smaller. :)
This week we began our paperwork process for China.
There are a lot of emotions in this change, because we have developed a special attachment to Ethiopia. I feel confident God will continue to use these connections we've made to ministries and communities in Ethiopia. I know He has a purpose for that.
We wait on the Lord.
Without Him, it looks like we had a detour. With Him, we can see His hand guiding us on a course that is steady and straight.
China. I'm falling in love fast!
We've told Drew and Kate, and Luke has already been yelling "China, China, China".
It's hard to explain things that don't actually make sense, but Drew and Kate have been amazing through this entire process.
First of all, you have to realize that our little girl is already a member of our family. She is a part of our conversations DAILY. We plan for her, dream of her, and have lots of drawings of her. :)
We explained the change to Drew and Kate. After some questions, they started getting excited about China.
Then, Drew asked, "What about the little girl in Ethiopia?"
Great question.
We are still waiting for the same little girl.
We began this process and started praying for the girl we would adopt. God has heard every prayer, and even though we don't know who or exactly where she is, God does. We began our journey planning for Ethiopia, but God knew that it would change. God knows how this will all end.
God knows our sweet girl. Even before she was born He knew her. (Jeremiah 1:5)
We have been praying. God has been answering. We thought she was in Ethiopia, but she's not. God always knew that. He's not surprised.
Please keep praying for our family.
We have been on a journey to our sweet girl for three years, and we won't stop until we can scoop her up and love her forever!
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in His word I put my hope." - Psalm 130:5
Nothing profound in that statement. It's just true.
Exactly three years ago, we made the decision to start the adoption process. God was speaking and moving strongly in our hearts.
Then the process began.
All we wanted to do was go scoop up a little child and love her forever.
But, it doesn't exactly work like that.
We began a process of research, choices, and decisions. Choices and decisions? It's so hard. There's a big, wide world, and we will gladly bring each and every orphan home. But, there are decisions.
1. Find an agency
(I have been very thankful for ours - America World Adoption)
2. Narrow to one country.
Well, that's actually easier than it sounds, because only some countries even have international adoption. The ones that do also have guidelines/requirements. We don't even qualify for some places.
So, our choice easily went to Ethiopia, and we quickly fell in love. We soaked up every bit of info we could over the last few years.
The world has become much smaller than it seemed before.
We've tried to share our journey and keep everyone informed along the way. At the beginning, we expected to be home and settled with our sweet girl by now. Lots of things have changed within their government, and after so many changes, our wait is not even half over.
We cling to God and His direction and providence in all these steps, big and small. Although the wait is terribly difficult, we have been staying on course unless God leads us otherwise.
Over the last couple of months, God has been speaking to me about our wait.
"You don't wait on a list. You wait on the Lord. Wait on me."
The words of Isaiah 40:31 resonate in my spirit.
It is true, when you wait on the Lord, you do not grow weary. He does renew your strength. You do rise above the circumstance and hold a different view of your path.
I thought God was assuring me that He was in control despite the wait. The logistics of a waiting list or legal process fall far beneath His power and sovereignty.
We wait on the Lord.
Another change in Ethiopia.
The government is considering a proposal for some very strict changes to the adoption process, especially international adoptions. With these new regulations, our family will no longer be eligible to adopt.
It's difficult news, and it breaks my heart for all the children who are already waiting too long.
There are no words.
Other countries have done similar things, and some have closed adoptions completely.
Adoption is a risky path to walk.
We wait on the Lord.
We prayed. We needed to make a decision.
It's time for some big updates in our process. We needed to choose our course.
Again, the choices are quite narrow.
We could go in a few different directions, so we prayed.
God has led us to China.
Our agency is allowing transfers to the China program, because China has actually made their qualifications more attainable.
The world keeps getting smaller. :)
This week we began our paperwork process for China.
There are a lot of emotions in this change, because we have developed a special attachment to Ethiopia. I feel confident God will continue to use these connections we've made to ministries and communities in Ethiopia. I know He has a purpose for that.
We wait on the Lord.
Without Him, it looks like we had a detour. With Him, we can see His hand guiding us on a course that is steady and straight.
China. I'm falling in love fast!
We've told Drew and Kate, and Luke has already been yelling "China, China, China".
It's hard to explain things that don't actually make sense, but Drew and Kate have been amazing through this entire process.
First of all, you have to realize that our little girl is already a member of our family. She is a part of our conversations DAILY. We plan for her, dream of her, and have lots of drawings of her. :)
We explained the change to Drew and Kate. After some questions, they started getting excited about China.
Then, Drew asked, "What about the little girl in Ethiopia?"
Great question.
We are still waiting for the same little girl.
We began this process and started praying for the girl we would adopt. God has heard every prayer, and even though we don't know who or exactly where she is, God does. We began our journey planning for Ethiopia, but God knew that it would change. God knows how this will all end.
God knows our sweet girl. Even before she was born He knew her. (Jeremiah 1:5)
We have been praying. God has been answering. We thought she was in Ethiopia, but she's not. God always knew that. He's not surprised.
Please keep praying for our family.
We have been on a journey to our sweet girl for three years, and we won't stop until we can scoop her up and love her forever!
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in His word I put my hope." - Psalm 130:5
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Just Beneath the Surface
We began this adoption process over 2 1/2 years ago. We have been on the waiting list for 2 years.
I hate waiting - nobody likes it, I guess. I've always been bad at it. Even the smallest waits are unsettling.
I was reminded yesterday of the hope in a tulip bulb.
A bulb = a small ball of possibility; a piece of the future; a promise.
We have one job when it comes to bulbs - the prep. We dig a hole and set it in.
We feel so involved in the beginning. We gently, excitedly prepare the delicate little package. We create the bed. Cover it for a long sleep and begin the wait.
It's a strange task really, but we are motivated by the thought of what will spring forth.
Then, we wait.
I can't prod it.
I can't dig it a little closer to the surface.
I can't even see it.
I just wait.
All the work happens under the dirt. All the rooting and sprouting.
All the work is His, the Giver of all life.
He holds it. He nurtures it.
When no one sees.
We wait. We hope.
We hold on to the promise.
Then, at the appointed time, the perfect season...
The ground breaks.
There's a glimpse of green.
Every promise suddenly comes into view, and life appears from the dust.
Then, I can join the Father in nurture, in care, in protection of the beauty He brought to my life.
I wait today.
I wait with hope.
I don't wait on the Ethiopian government.
I don't merely wait on a list.
I wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
He renews my strength.
He fulfills His promises.
He is the Rescuer.
He gives life.
This wait is only a hint of the great wait, the real anticipation of all life. All creation waits for the fulfillment of what God began. We all long for REAL LOVE to win. REAL LOVE to return.
We wait on our Lord and Redeemer. We all long to be rescued.*
One day.
It is the hope of all hopes. It is promised, and He will come.
And we know it's True...
First - because He said.
And second - because of these small promises. These small waits. They are proof.
The bulb - though hidden, dormant, and invisible - arises as promised.
No matter how dark the days; no matter how cold the winter;
Love wins, and Hope prevails.
So even in this small wait,
Even though so many precious blooms are waiting for their moment of Spring,
I will wait as long as it takes to behold my beautiful flower.
There is hope, just beneath the surface.
*Romans 8:18-27
I hate waiting - nobody likes it, I guess. I've always been bad at it. Even the smallest waits are unsettling.
I was reminded yesterday of the hope in a tulip bulb.
A bulb = a small ball of possibility; a piece of the future; a promise.
We have one job when it comes to bulbs - the prep. We dig a hole and set it in.
We feel so involved in the beginning. We gently, excitedly prepare the delicate little package. We create the bed. Cover it for a long sleep and begin the wait.
It's a strange task really, but we are motivated by the thought of what will spring forth.
Then, we wait.
I can't prod it.
I can't dig it a little closer to the surface.
I can't even see it.
I just wait.
All the work happens under the dirt. All the rooting and sprouting.
All the work is His, the Giver of all life.
He holds it. He nurtures it.
When no one sees.
We wait. We hope.
We hold on to the promise.
Then, at the appointed time, the perfect season...
The ground breaks.
There's a glimpse of green.
Every promise suddenly comes into view, and life appears from the dust.
Then, I can join the Father in nurture, in care, in protection of the beauty He brought to my life.
I wait today.
I wait with hope.
I don't wait on the Ethiopian government.
I don't merely wait on a list.
I wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
He renews my strength.
He fulfills His promises.
He is the Rescuer.
He gives life.
This wait is only a hint of the great wait, the real anticipation of all life. All creation waits for the fulfillment of what God began. We all long for REAL LOVE to win. REAL LOVE to return.
We wait on our Lord and Redeemer. We all long to be rescued.*
One day.
It is the hope of all hopes. It is promised, and He will come.
And we know it's True...
First - because He said.
And second - because of these small promises. These small waits. They are proof.
The bulb - though hidden, dormant, and invisible - arises as promised.
No matter how dark the days; no matter how cold the winter;
Love wins, and Hope prevails.
So even in this small wait,
Even though so many precious blooms are waiting for their moment of Spring,
I will wait as long as it takes to behold my beautiful flower.
There is hope, just beneath the surface.
*Romans 8:18-27
Friday, August 14, 2015
The Walls Will Crumble!
Our Bible story was Joshua and the battle of Jericho. It's such an amazing story of faithfulness, obedience, and miracles. We read it and talked to the kids about how the people did exactly what God said. They marched around the city, around the big fortress walls. They marched and waited and marched and waited. The people inside laughed at them. It didn't make sense just to march. A waste of time. Silly nonsense. But God had told them to march, so they marched. They were obedient, and then it was time. God told them when to shout, and they shouted! They didn't know what would happen, but they had been holding it all in for seven days. When it was time, they shouted. Our faithful, powerful God responded to their cry, and the walls crumbled to dust. The walls that stood between God's people and the promise he had for them - crumbled. How awesome!
And again, it was God who worked on their behalf. They didn't hit the walls. They didn't charge. They shouted.
God said shout. They shouted. God crumbled the walls.
We explained to our kids how important it is to allow God to lead us. He tells us what and when.
We have been praying for miracles for our sweet little girl. We have been praying miracles for all children who are lonely and waiting.
We believe.
We believe with all of our hearts, because God's will is that no one is an orphan. He wants all of us to "dwell in the land He has promised". Joshua followed God and led God's people, and God was faithful to their obedience and to His promise.
We went on to pray as we always do, holding our prayer cross for our girl. That night we prayed again for miracles, and we used that story of God's faithfulness to pray.
We prayed for the walls to crumble!!! The walls of government! The walls of paperwork! Everything that stands between our daughter and us! We told God we will keep marching. We will march and march until it's time to shout. Praise God! One day we are going to shout! The walls are going to crumble! My daughter will come home! Because He is mighty to save! - Zeph. 3:17
Adoption is long; it's confusing. But my God is faithful and mighty, and He works MIRACLES.
We have marched since February 2013 and we will march until she is home.
Please pray with us!!
The walls will crumble!
And again, it was God who worked on their behalf. They didn't hit the walls. They didn't charge. They shouted.
God said shout. They shouted. God crumbled the walls.
We explained to our kids how important it is to allow God to lead us. He tells us what and when.
We have been praying for miracles for our sweet little girl. We have been praying miracles for all children who are lonely and waiting.
We believe.
We believe with all of our hearts, because God's will is that no one is an orphan. He wants all of us to "dwell in the land He has promised". Joshua followed God and led God's people, and God was faithful to their obedience and to His promise.
We went on to pray as we always do, holding our prayer cross for our girl. That night we prayed again for miracles, and we used that story of God's faithfulness to pray.
We prayed for the walls to crumble!!! The walls of government! The walls of paperwork! Everything that stands between our daughter and us! We told God we will keep marching. We will march and march until it's time to shout. Praise God! One day we are going to shout! The walls are going to crumble! My daughter will come home! Because He is mighty to save! - Zeph. 3:17
Adoption is long; it's confusing. But my God is faithful and mighty, and He works MIRACLES.
We have marched since February 2013 and we will march until she is home.
Please pray with us!!
The walls will crumble!
Thursday, August 6, 2015
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