September 27th - Not Just Another Day

To some, September 27th is just another day on the calendar. Perhaps it's a special day, like an anniversary or birthday. Or maybe it's a solemn day of memorial. For us, September 27th is somewhat of a combination: another day on the calendar, an anniversary, and a sobering reminder of a desire unfulfilled.

Three years ago today we officially began the process to adopt from Ethiopia. Three years, and we are still waiting.

Reflections

As I reflect on these years of waiting, I think of all the craziness we've endured - even things I haven't been able to share on this blog. The excitement and thrills, the valleys and lows, none of which have been experienced in vain.

Doubt

There have been many times along the way that we began to doubt whether or not we made the right choice. Unfortunately, there have been times when others have caused us to doubt by asking questions like, "Well, when is enough enough?" and "Maybe you should consider another option that's easier?" Until the Lord calls us to move, we remain faithful to His plan.

However, I am learning that His plan is like growing a vineyard: planting a fruitful vine in earthy, rocky soil and cultivating it for years before it yields its best fruit. But, what we desire is immediate gratification. Like water, we choose the path of least resistance.

Affirmation

On the road of tumultuous doubt, the Lord in His kindness has provided His affirmation along the way through others who have spoken the truth of God's Word to us, who have labored alongside us in prayer and fasting, and who have supported us financially in ways we never expected. Every time one of these things happens, it's like the Lord whispers to us, "I have you right where I want you. So, be faithful." His reminders are always timely; He knows our fickle hearts.

So, Be Faithful

We have a good, good Father. Our good Abba has not, is not, and will not abandon us. We have a child in Ethiopia, waiting in an orphanage, who cannot make a plea to the Lord for help, but we can. The Lord intercedes for us, the Spirit groans on our behalf, because a good father cares for his children when they cannot care for themselves.

Many times these three years when we have looked to the other side and seen the plush green grass, our hearts have been unreliable and tempted to abandon this call. But Jesus demands our faithfulness, so we will continue to till our earthy, rocky soil and water our vineyard with patience and hope.

The Process

Today, we will be mailing a request to be re-fingerprinted for the third time (we have been fingerprinted more than 3 times, however this will be the third time by this particular department of the government). It seems silly to me that fingerprints expire, nevertheless, this is the process. I pray this is the last time we have to do this before we bring our baby home!

How You can Pray

Pray that the Lord would move this mountain that is hindering our child's paperwork from being signed for approval to be referred. Pray that we would continue to relentlessly pursue our little one, and that the Lord would give us wisdom and discernment in the process.

Thank you for continuing to pray!

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:25


Comments

  1. My heart is with you. We too are waiting for an official to sign a letter to keep our process moving. We are adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. We are praying for a miracle! Stephanie

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