When our caseworker called yesterday and said, "I have an update for you, but it's not happy news. Should I get your husband on the other line before we talk?", I braced myself for the worst.
She revealed that there is a likelihood we could lose 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' due to the fact that our dossier is going through the approval process at an orphanage in Bogota rather than the orphanage in Cali where the boys are residing.
The details of the story are insignificant because nothing will change the fact that this is where we are.
Our dossier isn't going to be moved.
The boys are not going to be placed on "hold" for us while we go through the approval process at another orphanage.
If there is another family available for the boys, the other family will likely be given the referral.
At this point, we have a choice.
PLAN A: We can let our minds take control of this situation focusing on every negative possible outcome; we can look backward longing to fix mistakes that were made; we can ask "why?" when we know there are no good answers; we can wallow in an endless pit of "if only's" and "what if's"...
OR
PLAN B: We can look to the God of the Universe in trust anticipating that His infinite creativity can weave both the good and bad of this situation into a lovely design; we can humbly approach His throne and acknowledge that He is in control, nothing comes to us before passing through His hands; we can ask that He not let our minds get entangled in tomorrow's concerns; we can trust that He will fully equip us to handle the difficulties He allows in our lives; we can refuse to indulge in feelings of regret because they can quickly breed resentment; we can affirm that God is sovereign over our circumstances.
In this case PLAN B is the wisest choice.
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Today we choose to stand on the Rock because we know that all other ground is sinking sand.
"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:19
It's not easy. It's a challenge to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when the circumstances of our life bring such frustration and disappointment. It's not easy to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when a storm of unanswered questions rages in our heads. It's not easy to face the gaping jaws of uncertainty that prowl on 'the Adoption Highway'.
"Humble yourselves therefore under God's mighty hand , that he may lift you up in due time."
1 Peter 5:6
It's not easy, but it is NECESSARY to ally ourselves with the One who has overcome the world because together is the only way we can handle whatever this day brings.
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Psalm 112:7
On the bright side, our finalized home study addendum was received by our agency yesterday...a miracle in and of itself! It will be on its way to Colombia soon for presentation and review by the adoption Committee at the orphanage in Bogota.
We also received our FBI CLEARANCE letters six weeks ahead of schedule...another miracle in and of itself! So....
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
Micah 7:7
At the heart of the matter are two little boys.
They have waited two and a half years for a family, and somewhere deep in my heart I know that they should not have to wait a day or an hour or a minute longer than necessary to find a place called home because everyday without a family matters. These boys really should not have to wait for the uncertain day of our dossier approval by another orphanage if there is a family already approved for siblings ages 0-8 at the orphanage where they reside. Both the children and the family deserve to be matched right away...I have been on this highway long enough to know the agony of waiting and no one should have to endure without just cause.
I cannot say that without crying, but in my heart I know it's true.
We will not know until the day of our own dossier approval if 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' will be available to be adopted by our family. We have been told to prepare for the likelihood that they will not...
BUT, I am placing my faith in God.
I know that WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE and He is a God of UNLIKELY things!
"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
She revealed that there is a likelihood we could lose 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' due to the fact that our dossier is going through the approval process at an orphanage in Bogota rather than the orphanage in Cali where the boys are residing.
The details of the story are insignificant because nothing will change the fact that this is where we are.
Our dossier isn't going to be moved.
The boys are not going to be placed on "hold" for us while we go through the approval process at another orphanage.
If there is another family available for the boys, the other family will likely be given the referral.
At this point, we have a choice.
PLAN A: We can let our minds take control of this situation focusing on every negative possible outcome; we can look backward longing to fix mistakes that were made; we can ask "why?" when we know there are no good answers; we can wallow in an endless pit of "if only's" and "what if's"...
OR
PLAN B: We can look to the God of the Universe in trust anticipating that His infinite creativity can weave both the good and bad of this situation into a lovely design; we can humbly approach His throne and acknowledge that He is in control, nothing comes to us before passing through His hands; we can ask that He not let our minds get entangled in tomorrow's concerns; we can trust that He will fully equip us to handle the difficulties He allows in our lives; we can refuse to indulge in feelings of regret because they can quickly breed resentment; we can affirm that God is sovereign over our circumstances.
In this case PLAN B is the wisest choice.
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Today we choose to stand on the Rock because we know that all other ground is sinking sand.
"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:19
It's not easy. It's a challenge to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when the circumstances of our life bring such frustration and disappointment. It's not easy to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when a storm of unanswered questions rages in our heads. It's not easy to face the gaping jaws of uncertainty that prowl on 'the Adoption Highway'.
"Humble yourselves therefore under God's mighty hand , that he may lift you up in due time."
1 Peter 5:6
It's not easy, but it is NECESSARY to ally ourselves with the One who has overcome the world because together is the only way we can handle whatever this day brings.
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Psalm 112:7
On the bright side, our finalized home study addendum was received by our agency yesterday...a miracle in and of itself! It will be on its way to Colombia soon for presentation and review by the adoption Committee at the orphanage in Bogota.
We also received our FBI CLEARANCE letters six weeks ahead of schedule...another miracle in and of itself! So....
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
Micah 7:7
At the heart of the matter are two little boys.
They have waited two and a half years for a family, and somewhere deep in my heart I know that they should not have to wait a day or an hour or a minute longer than necessary to find a place called home because everyday without a family matters. These boys really should not have to wait for the uncertain day of our dossier approval by another orphanage if there is a family already approved for siblings ages 0-8 at the orphanage where they reside. Both the children and the family deserve to be matched right away...I have been on this highway long enough to know the agony of waiting and no one should have to endure without just cause.
I cannot say that without crying, but in my heart I know it's true.
We will not know until the day of our own dossier approval if 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' will be available to be adopted by our family. We have been told to prepare for the likelihood that they will not...
BUT, I am placing my faith in God.
I know that WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE and He is a God of UNLIKELY things!
"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
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