Wait

The last three and a half weeks could be summarized in one word: wait.

Somewhere in the blur of last week, I started to really think about our home study packet (that hadn't arrived in three weeks) and all of a sudden it dawned on me: this is a spiritual battle. Satan doesn't just concern himself with our prayer time or our Bible study time; he attacks us in whatever areas of our lives that we are choosing to serve God (think about it...why would he care about the areas where we're not serving God?).

I realized that Satan was trying to put up a blockade to prevent our packet from arriving. Why? That one packet represents the first step to bringing home a precious child ~ a journey for which God alone can be given the glory for bringing us through.

By the power of God and the prayers of His people, Satan did not stop things from moving ahead with our adoption. Less than a week after contacting our caseworker (Julie) about the packet, it was in our hands.

Who ever knew that one packet of paper would bring so much joy to our home?

Yes, there is a lot of paperwork to fill out.

Yes, there'll be lots of logistics to figure out in getting certain things done around Caleb's very busy schedule.

Yes, there are things that are not what we expected them to be.

But of this I am certain: in the power of our God, and in His time, we will see a baby become our own and the name of God be glorified.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. (Psalm 62:5)

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:26)

In My Weakness, He is Strong

"Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong!"

In the last few days, I have been confronted by a vision of something that has been more than a little unpleasant.

It was a picture of weakness.

It was a picture of myself.

Weakness is not something I like very much. It sort of makes me scrunch up my nose in disgust, and give a little shudder, for, you see, I like to believe I am capable of doing most things on my own.

But, of late, my Savior has been revealing to me that I am not capable. I'm not even able to live for Him on my own.

I am completely, absolutely, entirely incapable.

But, He has also been showing me something very, very beautiful ~ in Him, in His strength, I am able. In Him, I am able to pray and see my God do crazy, impossible things. But only in Him.

I've been waiting for the past four days for my little mountain to move ~ for things with our home study to get started.  I know, I know, four days isn't very long to wait, but when you're as excited as we are about bringing our baby home, four days can seem like a lifetime to wait. In those four days, I've been reminded again and again that I must allow Him to open the doors. I must allow Him to do the work.

God has done some pretty incredible things the last few days ~ from providing for us to share a special time with friends, to steady jewelry sales, to bringing unexpected money for our adoption fund. God is and has been so so good to us.

Yet, the answer to our prayers had not yet come. Until today. Today I sensed in my spirit that my God was saying "Today's the day." And it was. And let me tell you, not even seventeen pages of paperwork can dim my excitement at this answered prayer.

All glory to His name!

Welcome to the New Blog!

Hey everybody!

There is something very exciting about beginning a blog dedicated just to our adoption journey. I don't really know why...maybe it makes it all feel so much more real to have a website adorned with polka dots and fun colors and...well, updates on us adopting our baby. Regardless, I'm excited to re-enter the blogging world with updates, pictures, and our fundraisers!

I must ask you a favor before we get started though...I need you to commit to support us in whatever way you possibly can, whether through prayers, donations, purchasing our fundraisers, or simply being a wonderful support network for us. Adoption is a beautiful and wonderful thing...but it is not something we can do alone. We truly need your support!

My goal here is to keep all of you updated on the process in a fun, interesting way that also makes sense to the average reader. I am still very new to the language of adoption, and I definitely get that all of you aren't adoption experts either! So, if there's something that doesn't make sense, feel free to comment on a post and ask. :)

I've decided not to post all the old updates from our Facebook page again...so if you want a bit of history on how things have gone up to this point, head over to http://www.facebook.com/pages/CR-Adoption-Fund/148210765217403!

Have a fabulous day!
Beka