Lifted Up

There's a now Yahoo Group for families that are adopting from our orphanage. Currently there are various ones - some for people adoption through various agencies, and one for those in process independently (which we were told was going to be phased out - those who have their children home were already removed). One adopting mom started a new group for all of us. It just started this week, and already it's been a great blessing. (Thank you Terry!)

We're reconnecting with some families that we've met on our trips to Haiti, some who we know in "blogger-land", and others that we haven't "met" before. Lots of questions have been asked and answered. Prayers have been raised up. Encouraging words have been shared. We have praised God for the joys and miracles in some recent process updates.

This is all very encouraging to me. It's exciting to see this group gather around one another. And especially encouraging to me have been the process updates people have received this week regarding some huge obstacles they've overcome. I'm praising God for these miracles, and for the families that will be celebrating homecomings very soon. All the while I'm imagining the day that our children can come home to us. What a blessed day that will be!

Also, last night at our small group Bible study, we focused on how difficult it seems the call that Mary and Joseph received from God. Being very young, not even married, traveling for days when very pregnant to another city that they may not have even been to before, no room in the inn, stable for a birthing suite, manger for a bed, etc... Yet, this is what God chose for His Son, and they following His purpose for them, however difficult it may have been for them. Why? Well, how much more glory can it bring to God when things are difficult and He brings us through them, than if we just remain in our comfortable lives, choosing to ignore the calls of God to do something that is out of our comfort zone, that may be difficult for us to face.

Bringing this to the context of our adoption process... There is little I can do about some of the circumstances of our adoption process (namely the long wait). We know that God has called us to adopt these children, and we will endure what ever is required to bring our children home. I never imagined how difficult this process was going to be, and I can tell you that if I'd known how long and hard it would be, I'm not sure that I would have embarked on this path. However, we have fully invested our hearts, our home, our finances, our prayers, etc., in adding Elijah & Josephine to our family. With God, nothing is impossible. I know that I'll have hard days, and that I will get frustrated and angry and sad and much more. But I will continue to look to God to help me through these tough times, and he will bring us through it. May the glory be all His, each step of the way.

I thank God today for my friends and family. This network of individuals that have kept us in their prayers, encouraged us when we've been down, shared verses with us that have specific meaning to what we're going through... has been such a blessing to our lives this last year and a half. That is one of my greatest blessings this CHRISTmas! Know that we are also keeping all of you in our prayers as well, and we pray that whatever God's call is on your life, that you can find His strength to persevere.

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Some verses from last night's Bible study, and some of my own related favorites:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ... Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:2-4, 12

"... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28(and surrounding context, esp. v 8-32)

"A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:6-11

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:6-7

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34

"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Others: Psalms 28, 33, 37, 40, 84