Life Unexpected

For some reason, this week has been hard in the waiting process. It's one of those weeks where I can't stop asking God...how much longer? We were at a lacrosse game of some of our students in our youth group tonight, and I just longed to have a family to be sitting with. I know God is in control...I know his timing is perfect...but some days my heart hurts more than others. My sister sent me this verse this morning from Isaiah 14:24 "Surely, as I have planned so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand...For the Lord Almightly has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" It was a reminder that God hasn't forgotten us and he certainly has not forgotten the orphans in Ethiopia. As I was journaling this week, a Natalie Grant song came on the radio that reminded me not only does God have a plan, but at the mention of his name alone, the sick are healed, the dead are raised, the fatherless find their rest,

Wow...I had thought that when our Dossier was officially in, that would mean an easier wait. Was I ever wrong! I don't know why, but these days of waiting seem to go by ridiculously slow. I guess it's because we are dealing with a system where we have no control over timing or outcomes. Having no control over a situation is NOT fun. It's funny, because I really think I am in this season of surrender. A couple of weeks ago, while at the 30 Hour Famine event with our teens, my car got broken into. It was like 6:00pm at night in this rural parking lot, and the person just shattered the whole window and stole my purse (I know I shouldn't leave a purse on the seat, but I seriously left it for like 20 minutes while I did something in the church). My credit cards were stolen, my license, everything! Not only was my stuff taken, but because the window of our other jeep had shattered the week before (long story on that one too), I actually had nothing to drive. So no c

I know I just blogged recently and shared about some of the uncertainties we are facing with our adoption process, as well as the difficulty of understanding God sometimes. So, I had to share the coolest thing that happened this morning. Most of you know that my Mom created a "waiting box" for me. She asked 50 women that have played a role in my life to write a letter to share something with me during my waiting that would be encouraging. I get to open one every other week. Listen to some of what was in my letter today from a lady who knew me as a child... "I remember a plaque my mother displayed in our home that read "God works in mysterious ways." When overwhelmed by disappointments, anxious thoughts, or seemingly impossible situations, Mom repeated those words with the absolute certainty that our faithful God would somehow work out his plan...I don't know where you are today in the adoption process but I encourage you to look for God to reveal hims

The past two days of my life have been a little bit overwhelming. After receiving news on Wednesday night that Ethiopia has been somewhat in attack over adoptions, but heart broke. We expect bumps along the road, but I guess this one wasn't really "expected." There are still a lot of decisions to make in Ethiopia, and our social worker has told us to just be "on hold," and "don't worry too much." I don't know why, but I was born a worrier. I worry a lot...just ask my family, my husband, my friends. It's hard not to worry, when you don't have control over something...that's the reality. Yesterday, after a major breakdown on the way home from Wal-Mart (like I was crying a lot and I think the people passing me thought I was crazy!), I called my Mom and Dad. I talked to my mom first, who is always empathetic. She is so good at that! Then I talked to my Dad, who tends to give me a dose of the greater reality most times. He sai

Last night I received an email from one of my friends who has adopted. Some of you may have heard already, or read my posts on Facebook today, but Ethiopia is under serious threat and attack for future adoptions. Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children's, and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. There are over 5 million orphans in Ethiopia alone, and a decision like this could have huge implications for the children. There are a few ways you can help: 1. Pray...Pray...Pray...Pray that the proposed change will be reversed. Pray for the many children in Ethiopia this could affect. Pray for government officials making the decisions. Pray for families who are in the middle waiting to adopt. 2. SIGN the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on! http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html. It takes less than 1 minute to fill out! 3. Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send