January 7, 2014
Last week's stories of Ethiopia closing to international adoptions are now settling, rumors hushed, and more accurate reports are making their way through adoption agencies then to anxious adoptive families. (You can read about it here and here). We are told that although Ethiopia has several officials lobbying for international adoption being kept open as an option, there are several against it as well. These battles will continue but for now international adoptions will remain open and that change, if any, won't happen overnight. Considering what we have seen with the pace of how paperwork moves there, this change won't be happening anytime over the next year either. So a sigh of relief for sure is due! "Aaaahhhhhh"....There. Do we feel better now? Yes? Well, then what is taking so long? (read here, Child in a Paper Pile)
Process, process, and more papers moved, and more process... all in all this is our time to find the joy in the wait. Sometimes it's more like a scavenger hunt to find the joy in the wait as my worries and fears can quickly spiral downhill. But I remind myself (and by the encouragement of the Word, friends, and family) of the many ways God is moving in our lives. Just because one factor of our lives may be frustrating, complicated, and emotionally draining at times, we don't let that take over our entire sense of knowing we are loved, blessed, and assured that God is good. Fear can take a stronghold on our hearts very quickly and that's not where God wants our thoughts to be focused.
"Faith not fear" is what a dear friend of mine reminded me in a time of my doubt. Hebrews 11:1, 6 tells us this verse, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." and I will carry that on my heart.
We are praying for doors to be open where it seems that only a miracle will open these doors to the already abandoned children of Ethiopia. Papers need signed and processes need to move forward before any referrals will come out of Ethiopia to every and any waiting family. Thankfully, I just happen to know a pretty awesome God that deals in the miracle business (wink) and He is a friend of mine. We are going to Him in prayer and asking for doors to be opened where only He can make that way clear for us.
January 7th is the day in Ethiopia when they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is their Christmas day and time to reflect on God's precious gift of hope to a hurting world. As this newness of life and birth of a savior is honored, we pray that the hearts of MOWA and other government agencies in Ethiopia would be opened to the newness and hope they could give to these orphaned children's lives. Please join us in praying that these doors will be opened allowing new life and joy to be given to the children.
Thank you so much for stopping in and keeping in the know with our adoption journey! Your prayers mean so much to us all!
Last week's stories of Ethiopia closing to international adoptions are now settling, rumors hushed, and more accurate reports are making their way through adoption agencies then to anxious adoptive families. (You can read about it here and here). We are told that although Ethiopia has several officials lobbying for international adoption being kept open as an option, there are several against it as well. These battles will continue but for now international adoptions will remain open and that change, if any, won't happen overnight. Considering what we have seen with the pace of how paperwork moves there, this change won't be happening anytime over the next year either. So a sigh of relief for sure is due! "Aaaahhhhhh"....There. Do we feel better now? Yes? Well, then what is taking so long? (read here, Child in a Paper Pile)
Process, process, and more papers moved, and more process... all in all this is our time to find the joy in the wait. Sometimes it's more like a scavenger hunt to find the joy in the wait as my worries and fears can quickly spiral downhill. But I remind myself (and by the encouragement of the Word, friends, and family) of the many ways God is moving in our lives. Just because one factor of our lives may be frustrating, complicated, and emotionally draining at times, we don't let that take over our entire sense of knowing we are loved, blessed, and assured that God is good. Fear can take a stronghold on our hearts very quickly and that's not where God wants our thoughts to be focused.
"Faith not fear" is what a dear friend of mine reminded me in a time of my doubt. Hebrews 11:1, 6 tells us this verse, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." and I will carry that on my heart.
We are praying for doors to be open where it seems that only a miracle will open these doors to the already abandoned children of Ethiopia. Papers need signed and processes need to move forward before any referrals will come out of Ethiopia to every and any waiting family. Thankfully, I just happen to know a pretty awesome God that deals in the miracle business (wink) and He is a friend of mine. We are going to Him in prayer and asking for doors to be opened where only He can make that way clear for us.
January 7th is the day in Ethiopia when they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is their Christmas day and time to reflect on God's precious gift of hope to a hurting world. As this newness of life and birth of a savior is honored, we pray that the hearts of MOWA and other government agencies in Ethiopia would be opened to the newness and hope they could give to these orphaned children's lives. Please join us in praying that these doors will be opened allowing new life and joy to be given to the children.
Thank you so much for stopping in and keeping in the know with our adoption journey! Your prayers mean so much to us all!
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