Are we there yet?

One of the first questions we get asked after sharing about our adoption is, "When can you bring her home?"

Our hearts say, "Not soon enough."  Every day there instead of here is another day Maeve didn't get to be a daughter. Today, sweet Maeve didn't get to feel our arms around her or feel her big sister practice being "soft" by gently stroking her little hands.

We honestly don't know the exact conditions of her daily life at this point.  We know what we have read and heard from other parents who have adopted from her country.  We know that baby houses are "better" than the ADULT mental institutions they are transferred to, as early as the age of four .  We know that some baby houses are better than others, depending on the directors and staff.  We know that regardless of how much a nanny may care for the children, there is still a severe deprivation of human contact.  There is still inadequate nutrition for their growing bodies.  Some families have recently brought home one year olds wearing 6 months size clothing and three year olds fitting into 18 months and even 12 months size clothing.  

Each day we pray Maeve is cared for with compassion, even if that means God miraculously softens hearts that were hardened before.  It seems incredulous to most of us here in America that children could be seen as less that human, less than worthy of time and attention, proper nutrition and a chance to grow as healthily as possible.  Most of us cannot understand what it is like to have had our opinions about children with special needs and disabilities formed by a society that condones the disposal of these babies the moment they are born.  It is a societal expectation to sign away parental rights as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed in the hospital.  The rejected babies are then squandered away, housed by the hundreds, hidden from society.

We know that our Father in heaven can do all things.  We ask Him to change hearts, knowing He hears the cries of His children, that He loves us, and that He will never leave nor forsake us.  We pray expectantly!  We pray daily that Maeve is not hungry.  As we sit down to pray over our meal, we think of her and ask the Lord to protect her from hunger.  That if necessary, He supernaturally supplies her need for nourishment.  We believe He will do this...because we ask as blood bought, born again children of God.  We go boldly before His throne and we call on the name of Jesus, and we have peace that surpasses all understanding, including ours.

The culmination of this process will be traveling to Eastern Europe to meet Maeve, be named as her parents in court, and then finally, bring her home Lord willing.  The latest that her homecoming should be is September - her birthday month!  We are praying for it to happen sooner, understanding that God's timing is perfect, and desiring to remain in the center of His will for our travel plans.  Please pray about these things with us.

A family for her birthday...

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?  
Matthew 7:11

Thank you for your prayers!!