Really Home

Even after nearly a week, it is hard to believe we are really home.  Six weeks in EE, three weeks in the hospital, plus a few more days of travel added up to nine weeks and three days on the road.

Now that we've returned, two precious and innocent former orphans are "home" as well.  They have full bellies and warm beds.  They have the same caregivers day after day.  I'm sure that is still confusing at this point.  We saw so many different nannies at the orphanage that we lost count. Children adopted from these types of orphanages and institutions join families without having any concept of what a family actually is.  They can have a lot of behaviors and psychological issues as a result of never forming appropriate attachments to primary caregivers.

All orphans have experienced loss, no matter how young.  Each transition in their lives has meant another loss.  This article touches on the lasting effects of experiences stored in implicit memory:    
http://gobbelcounseling.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/trauma-doesnt-tell-time/

In country, we did not see or hear some of the things other adoptive families have testified about. We trusted the Lord to protect our oldest daughter that was with us, and He surely did.  But we saw enough.  And now, we see our two youngest children living with the consequences of being orphaned in EE every day.

We are praying for God to restore our little one's hearts and bodies as only He can. 

A couple of days ago, I read this, written by a sweet RR mama:

http://www.blessthislittlechild.blogspot.com/2013/11/is-there-hope.html

It is short and to the point.  Please take a moment to read it.  Not for me, but for two orphaned girls who desperately need families.  Two out of millions.  Millions is so overwhelming.  So many little souls.  What can we do??

Only pray.  The Lord will take care of the rest.

Those millions of orphaned children are not just numbers. They have faces.  And stories.  Please go look at these girls' faces.  They need disciples of Jesus whose hearts are burdened to pray for them.  

It's the least we can do.  As we enter into this holiday season and enjoy God's provision in our lives, let's give a gift that will only cost us our time.  Let's lift these two girls up in prayer, along with sweet Miranda whose face pierces my heart.

Oh, those eyes.  I've seen a more recent picture of her and it is heart wrenching.

Let's lift these girls' families up in prayer.  Somewhere, God is calling someone.  Let's pray for their hearts to trust Him.

We are home, but they are not.

A couple of weeks before we left for EE, I wrote this:
http://thewillofthefather.blogspot.com/2013/08/i-wasnt-always-like-this.html

I wasn't always like that, but I hope I always will be.

We had no idea as we prayed for the Lord to supernaturally sustain her, that Mimi's very life was hanging in the balance.  That she was one of the orphans left to suffer alone.  We have no doubt He sustained her.  She would never have made it otherwise.  She has lived in tremendous pain, enduring the effects of a bowel malformation that would have been corrected shortly after birth if she had been born in the US.  Into a family that wanted her.

Thank you again - though it will never be enough - for your support, your prayers, your generosity.

Though our two newest additions came a little later into their families, they are very much wanted, and desired, and loved.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LordAlmighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.  

Harsh Realities

This is the blog of another Reece's Rainbow family.  This is a glimpse of the profound ramifications of being an orphan with special needs in some parts of the world.

At sixteen years old, this boy is the size of a five year old.  At sixteen years old, his cognitive level is that of a baby even though he should not have been this way because of the special needs he was born with.  A life of neglect is the culprit in what you can see in his pictures and videos.

Human development requires more than food and shelter.

Please say a special prayer for healing for Tommy and all of the orphaned children that right now, at this very moment, are suffering from abuse and neglect.

Tommy has been adopted, but countless others are starving while we enjoy our meals, lonely as we hug our loved ones, and physically attacked as we take our safety and comfort for granted.  

They are ignored day after day and year after year as we enjoy one another's company, interacting as much or as little as we desire with the many people we encounter at home, work, and church.  

"How is this possible?" we think.  Someone has to feed them, dress them, monitor them.  

That's true to some degree, but they don't have to care.  See for yourself. 

http://theblessingofverity.com/2013/09/who-redeems-your-life-from-the-pit/

The Ride

Remember that lil tid bit about adoption and waiting your turn on the playground?

Well, slide schmide!

Adoption is a  roller coaster!!

It's gut wrenching, breath taking and filled with suspense at every turn. It's punctuated by so many moments of excitement mixed with uncertainty, doubt, awe and wonder that a day without ALL of these emotions swirling becomes a day of dull.

The journey of adoption makes praising God in the storm the norm.

And praise Him we will, every step of the way!

Psalm 150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Pray for this one: M&M

Throughout our adoption process, God has put it on our hearts to intercede for several different children listed on Reece's Rainbow. Usually one or two at the time, we would pray for their needs along with Maeve's, and pray that their families would find them quickly. It has been such joy to see so many of them receive families.  

For several weeks, two little girls have been on my heart.  Little "Mirabel" is turning four this month, and praise God, a family has stepped forward for her!  Instead of being transferred to an institution, she will be taken home by her family.  It won't be easy.  There will be sacrifice on their part, but she is so worth it and they know that.

She was a hidden treasure in a back room, as another adoptive mom so eloquently put it, but she has been found.

"Mirabel" has been spared the fate of so many. 

BUT...

There's another hidden treasure with a birthday in August who turned nine years old yesterday.  Miranda has been living in an institution for far too long already.  I read things like this blog post by a mom who has adopted from an institution in EE, and my heart aches for Miranda and God's other children in these places.  

This is her listing on Reece's Rainbow.  

Miranda

Girl, Born August 25, 2004
Cerebral Palsy

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

What a beautiful little girl!    Wispy blonde hair and bright blue eyes!  Miranda is healthy and developing well out side of her CP.    She is an orphanage favorite.   Waiting for more info on her ability to walk/speak, etc.

She has two younger siblings, their status is not known.

She was transferred from her baby home, and still waits for her family.  She has been listed for SO long!!

$27.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption

Miranda has been waiting for a long time.  

There are so many parts of the body of Christ.  

God uses each one of us so uniquely.

He has asked me to be a voice for this princess.  

HIS princess.

Please take a moment to pray for her.  It's the best birthday 

gift most of us could possibly give her.

Somewhere, though, there is a family that could give her the 

gift of themselves.  

Please help them see her, Lord.  

I Wasn't Always Like This

I recently bought a box of 76 trash bags and every single time I look at it, I wonder if  "Maeve" will be home with us before all 76 are gone.

When I vacuum, and our 16 month old dances off to the side (because ever since she was born I sing the same song to her when I run the vacuum cleaner), I wonder what Maeve would be doing if she were here also.  I find myself accounting more often for two children, when one of them is still in an orphanage on another continent.

I've always tried to remember to see the "big picture".  The "this won't matter in ten years" or "Wow, we parked really far from the door, but at least I can walk myself to it.  Some folks can't." kind of thinking has always helped me keep things in perspective.

Of course, perspective changes over time.  And with different life experiences.  We are five months into our adoption process now, and just as with the arrival of any child, our thoughts are filled with anticipation of our newest daughter's life here with us. 

Except that unlike the end of pregnancy, instead of carrying my daughter in my womb and seeing her thriving on ultrasounds, I look at her picture and wonder how she is being affected by what she is lacking in nutrition, stimulation, and love.  I pray for God's supernatural provision for those things until we can be the ones that lavish His love on her.    

When I look at my daughter here, I think of orphans lying in cribs untouched, unnoticed, over there.

When we pray over our food, I think of hungry bellies on the other side of the world.  

When I pray, I ask God for his eyes to see as He sees so that my heart can break for what breaks His, knowing that even a hint of that buckles my knees.

When I'm being petty, I remember how blessed I am and wonder how I can possibly complain.  

When I wonder where we will live, I think about how blessed I am that no matter where it is, my children will be with me, and I think of the anguish of mothers in this world who are forced to abort, give away, or witness the abuse of their children.

I might get glassy-eyed in conversations about things such as which vacations to take, which clothes to buy, or how to redecorate a room because I am thinking of how we can pile all of the money for those things together instead and rescue one more orphan.  I don't begrudge anyone their blessings.  I'll take a vacation again, too, I'm sure.  My children will get new toys, clothes, beds.  

It's not that I think we should all be martyrs.

It's that I am not lukewarm.  I am hot about these children because the Lord has burdened my heart with their plight.

I wasn't always like this.  I didn't even know about orphans in Eastern Europe this time last year, but I am thankful my eyes and heart have been opened.

I cannot rescue them all.  But I can pray for them.  I can care about them.  I can think of them when no one else might.  I can love them because Jesus first loved me.  I can advocate for them just as He advocates for us.  I can be their voice when they have none.

When we get to heaven, the Bible says the last will be first. Certainly among the last here on earth are innocent newborn babies cast aside to suffer and die alone.  Oh, for the day that they would be first.

Revelation 21: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

No more pain for orphans left to suffer alone, writhing in agony in urine soaked beds.  

No more tears for those still bothering to cry, as many orphans have learned that there will be no response, and for some, even harsh punishment.  

No more sorrow for "little ones" who wait for years for a family to choose them, growing into "older ones" who know their disability has rendered them less desirable.  

No more death.  Though it is appointed once for every man to die, no child should have to suffer the death of their innocence and the stripping away of their dignity.  

Oh Lord, please come soon.

But until that day, help us as your children to listen when you speak, and obey joyfully.  We want to be a living sacrifice unto you!

Pampered Chef and Usborne Books: Purchases with Purpose!

Two sweet ladies are doing online fundraisers for us!  Right now!   The last day to make your purchases will be my birthday!  What a great birthday present!!  :)  Thank you Kathy and Heather!

The first one is a Pampered Chef party given by a fellow adoptive mom from Reece's Rainbow.  If you need a gift or have been meaning to purchase something for yourself, please go here to get your Pampered Chef items now through August 14th.  Free pizza cutters are being given with purchases of $60 or more!

http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/bugaboo/guest-landing/8837583355035

Our other fundraiser is an  Usborne books eshow.  There are some really cute books perfect for the little readers on your shopping list like these cute sticker doll books:

  

If you need any books, please consider buying through our link:

 https://v3726.myubam.com/25294

This is also a great time to get some Christmas shopping done!  I did that one summer and it worked out great!  

Someone else's birthday is also coming up soon:

Our sweet "Mimi" as we like to call her is turning one in September!  We are hoping to travel by the end of September or the beginning of October at the latest to finally meet our precious girl! We want to get to her as soon as possible of course, but we are trusting in the Lord's perfect plan and praying for His timing. 

Please feel free to share this blog post on your facebook pages to help us get the word out.  We appreciate your help!  Thank you!

Thank you mostly for your prayers!  I know Mimi looks so sweet and cute in the photo above, but the reality of orphans in Eastern Europe is not sweet.  If you are new to the blog please look around and let me know if I can answer any questions.  These children really need us.  Please pray for their families to rescue them soon.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress,and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Yes, I'm Saved!

And I have my own Bible and go to church.

What's next?

There are choices to be made.

You are either saved or you aren't.  If you made the choice to confess your sins and accept God's gift of eternal salvation bought with the blood of His son, Jesus, you are saved.  

(Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.)

You are either serving Him or you aren't.  You made the choice to...what?

Serve as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, bible study leader, usher, greeter, secretary, bus driver, youth leader, VBS teacher, program coordinator, pastor, music leader, musician, janitor, repair person, soundboard operator, kitchen staff, visitor of the homebound, sender of the cards, prayer chain coordinator, ladies' or men's meeting leader, prayer warrior, person who welcomes visitors with a sincere smile and kind words, choir member, or (fill in the blank because I'm sure I didn't list all of the possible ways to serve in your church).  

And that is great. 

You probably remember the day you asked Jesus to live in your heart and you probably remember the day you were baptized as milestones in your faith.  You may also remember when you were backslidden and when you rededicated your life to Christ because well...without Him you were on the way to Hell and that is no place to spend eternity.  

But do you remember when you chose to serve Him?  Do you remember the day you were asked to perform a certain duty or fulfill a particular role within the church body?  Do you remember how excited you were while you also doubted your worthiness to such a calling?  Are you remembering the first time or the next?  Or the one after that?  Are you realizing that you cannot even count the number of times you have felt that same tug at your heart to go forth and serve God in a capacity that you desired (and even prayed for!) but at the same time feared?  

Just long enough to remind yourself that fear is not from God.

Your testimony of serving Christ should continually need editing. 

In a song called "The Stand", Hillsong sings these words:

"So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, O God
Completely to You"

Completely.

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all that you have.

"25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."

Not after we serve ourselves, but first.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

So what does this look like in REAL LIFE?  Real life is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, not just the time we spend when we step through the portal of the place called "church".  

We call those beautiful buildings churches, but the REAL church is US.  WE are the church and WE are the CHURCH BODY.  

Where ever we go, in our real lives, in every minute of every day, that is church.  

"So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, O God
Completely to You"

Because He DIED for us.  A bloody, gruesome, torturous death so that we MIGHT be saved.  

Because He gave his BEST so that even at our worst, we still have HOPE in Him.  

He sent His only son as a newborn baby to DIE for our unworthy, wretched, and sinful selves.

"So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, O God
Completely to You"

COMPLETELY.

Now what does that look like in real life?  In your life?  In your service to Him?  You are the only person with you every minute of every day so you and God are the only ones who know.  

And what God knows about you is all that matters.

"So I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all


So I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered


All I am is Yours" ~ Hillsong


Completely His.  I am nothing and have nothing without Him.  <3

To God Be the Glory

Our final document arrived on Tuesday!!  It has been apostilled and is on its way to EE!!  Praise the Lord!!  

1 John 5:

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We have seen God answer prayers so faithfully and pour out blessings so generously that we can only love Him, trust Him and seek Him continually for His will and His way in our life.  

Psalm 34: 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.


We have tasted! We have seen!  Yet, there is more.  How can this be so?  

Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

It's true!  Of course it is.  It's God's word.  Truly, sometimes I wonder if my heart can contain the joy of any more of God's blessings.  Sometimes I am so overcome with the realization of His mercies in my life that it takes my breath away.  It's so utterly overwhelming and incomprehensible when I try to make sense of it.  There is not room enough in my mind to receive it.  It doesn't make sense in a world of "getting what you deserve".  We could never deserve God's goodness.  It's His gift to us when we open up the storehouses of our hearts and invite Jesus in.  

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

It's His answer to us when we call on Him as His children.

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

It's His promise to us.  

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

If we only trust in Him, He will provide.  He will protect.  He will shelter.  He will LOVE.  He will SAVE.  

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

"Thou shalt be saved."  What else do we need?  The reality of the answer to that question will be crystal clear when we stand before Him for judgement.  

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

In just a few weeks, we should be invited to travel to EE.  To Maeve.  To meet our daughter!        

Meanwhile, there are many, many decisions to be prayed over (and prayed over and prayed over and prayed over). 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

There is work to be done and there are preparations to be made.  It is so easy to get caught up in the routines (and surprises) of life.  Of this life.  These moments are so precious, and so fleeting.  

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

We must remember why we're here and to whom we will answer when this shadow has passed.  

1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

We live to serve Him.  It's what we're made for.  Serving God is the reason we exist. 

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

One of the ways He has asked us to serve Him is as parents.  He sent Ella to us through my womb and He has sent Maeve to us in our hearts.  The time is drawing nearer for her to join our family.  Her family.  So we press on.  We continue joyfully toward the goal of bringing her home.  What a day that will be!

Phillipians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We are so grateful to all of you that are supporting us on this journey.  Your prayers are being heard by the God of heaven and earth as Jesus intercedes for us continually.  Your generous donations are helping to enable us to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Thank you so much!! 

Phillipians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you

I pray that the word of God ministers to your heart today.  He is able to meet you right where you are and fulfill your every need. Thank you Lord! 

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.   

Different

There is a lot weighing on my heart.  Some of it is not adoption related, but being in the process of an international adoption of a child with special needs is always on my heart as we continue toward that goal, and therefore, everything is currently being filtered through that perspective.      

We live in a world of differences.  Those of us born towards the end of the last century grew up being told things like, "Dare to be different." There was a push in media and education to acknowledge and accept one another's differences.  When the differences hit too close to home, however, it's not always so simple. 

There are many "different" kinds of families, churches, schools, classes within schools...this list could get really long.  Impossibly long.  

To list all the different types of just one of these groups, you would first have to define "same".  Then everything else would go on the list of "different".

What makes the differences??  The individuals within each group.  Have you ever met two people exactly the same?  Not even identical twins are truly the same.

It turns out that "different" is just a word we use when we mean "not the same as me."  Or "not what I'm comfortable with".  Or "not what I'd prefer."

Sometimes different is just a matter of lifestyle preferences and we can say "to each his/her own" and go about our business without really being bothered.  We sometimes think to ourselves "I could never do that job, marry that kind of person, live in that kind of home/neighborhood/town/etc., have that kind of wedding, raise my children that way, attend a church like that"...and on and on.  

However, when asked to tolerate "different" in our personal spaces at our workplaces, churches, schools and families, different sometimes becomes uncomfortable and inconvenient.  

This is when we are called to love like Jesus.  It's easy to love those who are easy to love.  But when people seem altered, contrary, offbeat, peculiar, or unequal (all synonyms of different according to Thesaurus.com),  and we welcome them into our homes, churches, classrooms and workplaces anyway - THEN we are loving like Jesus.  

It's not always easy because sometimes different smells bad, has speech impediments, looks unsightly, or exhibits behaviors that make us want to keep our distance.  But not much about living a life sold out to Christ is easy or easily understood.  Even by those living it.  Yet, the beauty of His plan is unmistakable.  We must seek Him first and above all else in order to see that beauty.

During Jesus' earthly ministry, He performed many miracles.  And many believed.  He also spent a lot of time with those considered "different".  He came for all of us.  He died for all of us.  Regardless of our differences.  

He longs for each of us to come home to Him.  For eternity.  But while we are here, we must be about his business.  Fulfilling our calling in the body of Christ and encouraging others to do the same, even if their calling is different than ours.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Matthew 5:

 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  

The National Down Syndrome Congress has a campaign called "More alike than different".  People with Down Syndrome are different than people without Down Syndrome, but who really is the SAME?  Even though this post is about differences in general, the link below gives some great perspective about Down Syndrome, which is Maeve's diagnosis.

http://www.ndsccenter.org/morealike/flash/

Regardless of our diagnosis, or lack thereof, none of us is the same.  God has a plan for every individual life and we are to use it to glorify Him with what He has given us. 

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Praising Jesus for His grace, His mercy, His unfailing love, and our beautiful children.

The Slide

Remember waiting your turn on the playground?  Particularly for the slide...

I'm not talking about the four foot plastic slide that lands you in soft, imported sand or wood chips.  I mean THE SLIDE.  

-At least ten feet above the ground at the starting point 
-Made out of shiny (HOT) metal
-Possibly bent in places from years of being not only "slid down", but also "tromped up"

Yes, that slide.  You stand behind countless others in the hot sun waiting your turn to climb a ladder the height of which future generations will only have the privilege of climbing if they go into the roofing business.  If you make it to the top without falling off and breaking a limb before you've even begun, you sit triumphantly and anticipate the thrill of rocketing toward the Earth on a slick surface willing to give as hard a landing as you are apt to bring upon yourself.

Then someone yells from below that they would like to have a turn too...the sooner the better.  The person that has climbed up behind you gives you a little nudge.  And off you goooooooooooooooooooo.  Thump.

It's over.  The anticipation.  The ride.  The thrill.  Conquered.  Done.

And you look back and immediately want to do it again.

So you RUN around and get back in line, already lamenting how loooong it will be before you again start to ascend the ladder.  Only this time you're strategizing about how not to get burnt and how to keep your skin from skidding on the way down.  

This time will be even better.

Fast forward to the adoption front:

We're still waiting in line for our turn to ascend into the friendly skies and land in EE.  We're still in line, grumbling along with the others about how long it's taking for it to be our turn.  The longer we wait, the harder it becomes to wait.  The closer we get, the further away meeting our daughter seems.  

We pray.  A lot.

While we're waiting though, we get to watch those going before us.  They report back on the conditions of their trip and about what to watch out for when we land.  We are genuinely happy for them.  They waited their turn in line just like we are.  We watch them go...and adopt...and come home and begin the hard work of attachment and bonding with their children.  Some get right back in line to answer the call again.  More precious children chosen and rescued.  It is beautiful to witness.

And we long for our turn.  And we thank God for His perfect timing, not knowing what lies ahead.  

Or when.

Christianity should be this way.  Elders should be walking the straight and narrow path as a witness the generations coming after them.  Young ones should be scrambling behind them, eager to walk with Jesus and confide in Him too, seeing the joy and peace it brings, longing to grow in Him and abide in Him because they can see how wonderful it is to be His child.  As they hide His words in their hearts and it eventually pours out of them for His glory in whatever calling He has given them, they, too, ought to be able to look back at the ones coming behind and remember what it was like.  

To be waiting, yearning, anticipating.  The good life.  The Spirit filled life.  And out of humble gratitude, thankful for their gifts and their blessings, they'll report back about their journey, warning the next generation about the snares and entrapments, but also testifying to the goodness and the fullness of living for Christ.  

We ought to be longing for that great reunion day, not knowing what lies ahead, or when.  

We are not guaranteed our next breath.  Others pass on from this world into the next every hour of every day, yet we still find ourselves surprised that it happened.  

We're so busy.  Busy, busy, busy.  

Coming, going, attaining, accomplishing.  Does it glorify Him?  Are we earnestly daily desiring to do the things that are pleasing to Him with the limited time we've been given?  Just how limited...only He knows.

It doesn't have to be big and life altering.  Just His will.  For each day.  Even in the small things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

Praying for the fatherless this Father's day.  Praying that the desires of their hearts will be granted, and that they too will know what it is to follow a loving Father.

Our God is Greater

Another, smaller batch of documents began its journey from our home to Eastern Europe today.  

We need one more piece of paper...just one.  

Once it joins the others in EE, we will be completely submitted and waiting to be invited to travel.  But first, we need that one last piece of paper.  Imagine our surprise when we found out yesterday that it may take longer to get it than we previously thought due to some unforeseen circumstances.

I will admit that after weeks of working toward this goal of having all of our documents completed and sent to EE with little to no delays (yay! Praise the Lord!), this small kink (a possibly two month kink) kinda threw me for a minute.  

It's that feeling of shock you get when you hear that unexpected news.  Even though you know God's got it.  Even though you know that there is so much that you actually don't know because His ways are so much higher and so much better.  
   
You know the song..."Our God is Greater"!  Sing it with us.  Pray with us for continued grace and mercy and HIS perfect timing.  No human plans can alter that, however it may look through our limited vision.  

Our sweet daughter on another continent was made by Him and He loves her more than we could ever dream.  We are just the ones privileged to be entrusted with her care for a while.  

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55: 8-9

Please continue to pray for Maeve to know us in a supernatural way.  And for that piece of paper to come supernaturally fast!  In Jesus' name!

The Waiting Part

We are finally... officially.... waiting...

After nine intense weeks of constant "paper chasing", we are finally at a point where all we can do is wait.  We are waiting to hear when our appointment will be for our USCIS clearances.  Then we will wait to go to the appointment.  Then we will wait to get our approval - Lord willing.  

After that, we will have a bit of paperwork to do again to get the rest of the dossier notarized, apostilled, and then sent overseas.  And again we will wait...for our dossier to be officially submitted... and then for our appointment date in Eastern Europe.  

We know who goes before us and we are so grateful.  To God be the glory.  Great things He hath done!

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Pray with us as we wait and trust in Him for His perfect timing.    

En Route

Today, the first part of our dossier began its journey to Maeve's country.  It's just a stack of papers, but these are documents we have spent weeks gathering, checking and rechecking.  Hours on the phone scheduling appointments to have meetings, medical tests, and gathering information about us and our lives from officials (to make even things like the way we spell our names officially official)  for documents that all had to be approved, then notarized, and then apostilled by the state.  And now, two months after making the commitment to adopt this little love...

we are 35 documents closer to her.  We still have a few more to collect/have notarized/send off to be apostilled, and then wait for them to return, but we are getting there.  Praise the Lord!!!

  
We have met so many kind and helpful people since we began the process of adoption.  We enjoy meeting new folks and hearing their stories.  It's amazing how much we all have in common, and how many of us are connected by just a few people in between. We have learned so much...and this is just the beginning!

During this time of working intently to compile our dossier as quickly as paperwork procedures will allow, we have been so uplifted by your prayers and your outpouring of love and support for our family.

Thank you for your kind responses to our letter.

Thank you for your encouraging words.  

Thank you for your love and your prayers!

We appreciate you!!

 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7