In Other News

It seems I have been consumed these past few weeks with trying to figure out if passing court is going to be possible on Monday.  I promise we have been doing other things.  Just to prove it, I have pictures!

The kids are enjoying two new sweet kittens.  They are practicing holding and loving on babies.  Actually, I just needed to give them something to love on so I’ll get a chance to hold Gideon when we get him home. :)

 

We explored Galveston Island with our good friends.  It was crazy to imagine being on that island during Hurricane Ike when we saw some of the damage and the waterline marks!

Since we are good homeschoolers {grin}, we went on a hike to check out the local wildlife.  I’m not sure how educational it was though.  I took a picture of this cool bird we found and told them I don’t know what kind it is.  Now, I realize we never went back to look in our bird book to see what it was.  Quality education, people. 

It was perfect weather for a hike.

Car’s trying to be the Karate Kid, even though he’s never seen the movie. 

Enjoying the murky Gulf waters.

Ellie and her best friend.

I wish I had a video of Bear.  She didn’t want anything to do with getting in the water.  When she finally worked up the courage to get out there, she got down in the water and started having fun, then jumped up screaming and running to the shore.  She said a fish bit her finger and was hanging on when she pulled it out of the water.  She described it for me!  Poor thing!  She said it didn’t hurt, it just scared her.  I don’t think she will ever go in that water again.  I couldn’t stop laughing though.

*** If anyone knows what kind of bird that is, let me know.  I felt guilty and had to go look it up, but I couldn’t figure it out.***

Finding Joy

Yesterday, I was reading about how the Israelites were complaining (again) and how God got mad at them for asking for selfish reasons. As I read that, I stopped and prayed God would forgive me for complaining about this delay and asking for this to happen faster for selfish reasons. Yes, I do believe it's best for Gideon to come home sooner, but I also really wanted him home sooner because I had my expectations and they are not being met. I had my plans for this summer and fall, and now this delay is messing with that! After releasing that, I immediately felt a wave of peace come over me and I have felt that peace ever since.

I am still asking God to bring our little guy home this summer because God wants us to share our hearts with Him. But I've stopped whining and begging to God and tried to have a grateful attitude instead of complaining. I'm sure I will start complaining again (because I'm broken like that!), but maybe I will be able to recognize it quickly and hand it over to God. He doesn't want us to have a spirit of complaining about not getting our way.

I read about how God works in people's lives in amazing ways when they are faithful to Him. I always think it's so cool to read that about other people. But, God wants us to be faithful so He can work amazing things in our lives, too! He doesn't want a few Christians in the game while the rest sit on the bench. This is our chance to grow in our faith and allow God to make us stronger.  I need to embrace this time, knowing that God is using it to change me.   And boy, do I need to be changed!

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I know God has worked on my heart during this wait.  I think if everything was going perfectly smooth, I would have been consumed in my preparations for bringing a baby into our home.  I’ve still been getting ready, but it’s been more in a practical way.  I’ve been more consumed with seeing God in this.  There have been moments He has revealed things in my heart that, believe me…aren’t pretty.  But, I guess that’s the first step to changing me – making me see where I need to change. 

Hopefully, we will see some movement in the courts this week for abandonment cases.  I know the Ethiopian government is trying to do what is best for these kids.  I am praying this will happen quickly so these kids can get home to their families that are waiting for them. 

We have court on Monday and our paper chain is quickly shrinking.  I’m supposed to be excited as I watch it get smaller and smaller, but I get sad sometimes thinking it could be counting down to the day we won’t pass court.  I’m confused – do I get excited as court gets closer, or do I not???  I am looking forward to seeing families pass court again so I can hope we will pass, too.  Maybe this is the week!

A (hopefully) Minor Delay

We made it back from Summit, but I just haven’t had time to get my thoughts down and in order.  We were only gone 2 days…why does it take a week to get back in the groove?

We also got some news from our agency this week that we may not be going to court June 1st.  The Ethiopian government has put a hold on all court dates for children who were abandoned.

ugh.  that would be us.

We don’t know exactly how this hold is going to affect us, yet.  Our agency doesn’t know what the government is going to require and there is really just no way to know how long it’s going to take to get everything sorted out.  This affects the entire country and many families, so we have some big groups advocating for these children and families to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

One thing I do know, and am clinging to right now, is that God is so good!  This process has been cake, for the most part, and we have praised God through all of it.  But, my first thought when I heard something was up was that God is still good!  I can still praise Him, even though things might not turn out the way I had hoped.

We want to bring our little G home, but he’s God’s child.  God loves him even more than we do and I can trust that God is doing what is best…even though I can’t understand how best wouldn’t be having G home with us.  I have to have faith.

And, I have to remember that God has not made me G’s mommy, yet.  I have no right to demand that from God before He is ready to bless me with it. 

That doesn’t mean I’m not praying for a miracle.  I’m praying God will work all of this out quickly and we will be able to bring G home right away.  If you would please pray for this whole situation, I would appreciate it.  There has been an incredible amount of love and support from the other families from All God’s Children!  I’m very thankful for the encouragement from those who have already been through the adoption process and just want to encourage the rest of us – and those right there with us, trying to figure it all out.  Top that off with all of the love and support from our family and friends, and I am one very blessed girl!

God is good!