Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Adoption Journey-Day 49

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." -Matthew 18:10

We were assigned a Family Coordinator today! The coordinator helps get us through the "paper pregnancy." Our first big task is to complete a Dossier which takes between 4-6 months. It includes accumulating paper proof of birth, marriage, employment, etc. While that's going on, we are able to start on our Home Study.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for guiding us toward one of your little ones-Baby Sam. Thank you for your words of Matthew 18 that renew our hearts as we remember that angels are guarding him! Help us keep our eyes on you. We praise you for your grace that continues to make this journey possible. We love you, Lord.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Possible

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." -Luke 18:27

We wish we could get on a plane and fly to Ethiopia. The adoption agency says that it will take anywhere between one to two years before that happens. We can't make the clock turn faster. That's impossible. If we want a gallon of milk, Target is a short car ride. If we want a book, Mardel is right up the street.

We want Baby Sam but bringing him into our family is different. In our hearts we feel that it is God who is bringing us into His house; under the shadow of his mighty wings.

Jesus could have come into the world as a grown man, ready for the cross. Instead, he chose to grow...and wait. On this quiet night, with no forms to fill out and no questions to answer, we sit and wait for the next set of tasks that will bring us closer to Baby Sam. We choose to grow closer to our Father while we wait, praising His perfect timing. He's the One who is making this adoption possible. Glory to God!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Closer to Him

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."
-Isaiah 25:1

We received a handful of forms today that need signatures. We can't help but count the days until, by God's grace, we get to hold Baby Sam. The apostle Paul said, "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12) Past all the toil and tears is a place for which Jesus took hold of us--His Father's house. Heaven. This adoption journey has begun to fill our hearts with a new love; one that flows from the river of grace. We press on, because the journey leads us closer to Him.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

A Baby from Ethiopia

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders."
-Psalm 9:1

Our pastor, David Daniels, has an awesome saying: Make God famous. We pray for this blog to do just that. On September 10th, Cindi and I mailed off our initial application to America World Adoption Agency. Yesterday, October 10th, the agency called and told us we have been approved to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. The next step is a Home Study with 8 hours of online training that focuses on inter-country adoptions. Thank you God for letting us share your wonders.