"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." Habakkuk 2:3
In October of 2010, we officially began our Ethiopian adoption process. At that time, we thought it would be twelve to eighteen months until we brought our Ethiopian children home. I remember thinking eighteen months...that's double the wait of a biological pregnancy. <<Insert raised eyebrow, giggling sigh, and shaking head here.>>
Over two years later, here we are, still waiting. Waiting on Ethiopia. Waiting on government. Waiting on a phone call. Waiting on God to make it all happen. Waiting.
It's good to know we're not alone. Our faithful friends are eagerly waiting along side us. You've kept us lifted in your prayers, and we've felt it every step of the way. I'm sorry that I haven't been better about keeping up my writing this year (I'll back post our Christmas and 2013 drafts later this week), but life is going by so fast. The kids are growing, and I don't want to miss a minute of it.
At times, I feel so bad to have to tell inquiring minds that we're still in the same spot we were six months ago. I simply hate disappointing everyone who's waiting with us with news of no news. With that said, please don't stop asking. I simply love talking about Ethiopia, adoption, and what we're learning amidst the wait.
Recently, during my devotion, I was reminded that waiting is a common experience among friends of God. I read back to Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Moses, the Israelites, and Mary and Martha. These people all waited on God. They all handled the wait differently; but their waits all teach me a common lesson: God allows delays in order to accomplish a greater purpose. He allows and uses circumstances and delays to reveal His power and glory.
Our family knows that God is in control and that our wait is not always easy to handle or get our heads around; but we also see and acknowledge the countless times God has shown up every step of the way. Two years ago, we didn't expect to accept our referral and fly without any debt, yet here we are. The wait has allowed months of extra penny pinching. And during this time, we've had countless equipping and networking opportunities. We've been allowed service opportunities to bless others and have been blessed in countless ways.
Last month, friends of ours were blessed during a life change and sent us the note above enclosed with a gift to cover our first flights to Africa. We were blown away by their generosity and even more so by the gift of words they wrote. "Just as Abraham knew the Lord would provide a lamb instead of Isaac, He will provide for us." These words were a treasured confirmation of the exact scriptures we had been praying. How cool is that? Totally cool! His word is timeless, and his love is never failing.
Lord Jesus, thank you for walking alongside us on this venture. Thank you for this time and for the work you're doing inside our family. Please give us the perspective of your time and not our own. Amidst the unknowns, we thank you for using our delay to give you glory and show your great love. We praise your holy name.
In October of 2010, we officially began our Ethiopian adoption process. At that time, we thought it would be twelve to eighteen months until we brought our Ethiopian children home. I remember thinking eighteen months...that's double the wait of a biological pregnancy. <<Insert raised eyebrow, giggling sigh, and shaking head here.>>
Over two years later, here we are, still waiting. Waiting on Ethiopia. Waiting on government. Waiting on a phone call. Waiting on God to make it all happen. Waiting.
It's good to know we're not alone. Our faithful friends are eagerly waiting along side us. You've kept us lifted in your prayers, and we've felt it every step of the way. I'm sorry that I haven't been better about keeping up my writing this year (I'll back post our Christmas and 2013 drafts later this week), but life is going by so fast. The kids are growing, and I don't want to miss a minute of it.
At times, I feel so bad to have to tell inquiring minds that we're still in the same spot we were six months ago. I simply hate disappointing everyone who's waiting with us with news of no news. With that said, please don't stop asking. I simply love talking about Ethiopia, adoption, and what we're learning amidst the wait.
Recently, during my devotion, I was reminded that waiting is a common experience among friends of God. I read back to Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Moses, the Israelites, and Mary and Martha. These people all waited on God. They all handled the wait differently; but their waits all teach me a common lesson: God allows delays in order to accomplish a greater purpose. He allows and uses circumstances and delays to reveal His power and glory.
Our family knows that God is in control and that our wait is not always easy to handle or get our heads around; but we also see and acknowledge the countless times God has shown up every step of the way. Two years ago, we didn't expect to accept our referral and fly without any debt, yet here we are. The wait has allowed months of extra penny pinching. And during this time, we've had countless equipping and networking opportunities. We've been allowed service opportunities to bless others and have been blessed in countless ways.
Last month, friends of ours were blessed during a life change and sent us the note above enclosed with a gift to cover our first flights to Africa. We were blown away by their generosity and even more so by the gift of words they wrote. "Just as Abraham knew the Lord would provide a lamb instead of Isaac, He will provide for us." These words were a treasured confirmation of the exact scriptures we had been praying. How cool is that? Totally cool! His word is timeless, and his love is never failing.
Lord Jesus, thank you for walking alongside us on this venture. Thank you for this time and for the work you're doing inside our family. Please give us the perspective of your time and not our own. Amidst the unknowns, we thank you for using our delay to give you glory and show your great love. We praise your holy name.
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