Endurance

Friday. The only work day left in this week. So far we've not received word that the last final little test has made it to Addis or to Melaku who isn't in Addis. Courts reopen Friday, October 5th.

Realistically, the test could get there early next week and we could be submitted for a court date the 5th. 

We are praying that the test makes it and that our paperwork is sitting on the court clerk's desk on October 5th. 

BUT we trust God implicitly and know that if there is a delay, then there's a good reason.

So we trust Him and the delay.

In the meantime, we continue to live life which is full of ministry and fun extra-curricular activities.

In case you've missed the latest world news, US Embassies have been attacked. This may or may not affect the US Embassy in Ethiopia, but please join us in praying for the safety of all US Embassy employees and ambassadors. 

I'm running in a race this weekend---the Bourbon Chase. I'm praying that I determine to finish my three legs with endurance and to run it well.

The Bourbon Chase is just a race and hopefully fun. 

This Adoption race is of great eternal significance and I want to run it with endurance and I want to run it well.

So we continue to wait and hopefully glorify God in the process.

I know and trust that His timing is the absolute best.

Thank you so much for your prayers and I look forward to sharing the great news that Melaku has received the test and we've been assigned a court date!

God bless friends

Sometimes It's About the Journey More than the Destination

What a cliche my title is! Today my life has really been about the journey and all that has happened along the way more than where I was going.
We began with a visit from our social worker. She came by to update our home study because it's getting ready to expire. She's very laid back and makes things like home visits and home study updates very easy. She keeps the main thing the main thing which is getting children into good homes.
I would like to say that I didn't stress about the home visit.
I would like to say that I didn't spend time making sure the house was extra clean and that it didn't look like a three year lived in it or that I spend more time writing and sewing than decorating.
But, alas, I can't say that at all. But through my rushing to clean and straighten the Lord reminded me that He had called us to this adoption and I could rest in that, even if John Owen dragged out every toy and all 100 million books he has right before she showed up.

We received part of Melaku's second medicals today which is exciting news in some ways. We are still waiting for one test which isn't in country yet.
Please continue to pray that the test would get there soon and that he would be given the test and we would receive the results before court opens on October 5th.
What God has taught me today is that this adoption is about the journey---all the little steps that we take along the way to get our son home.
Today we have to ask ourselves are we adopting because we want a perfectly healthy child or because we're being obedient to what God has asked of us?
Do we want to answer the call to take care of orphans or do we want to create the perfect family and live an easy life?
Our answer is a resounding: We want to be obedient to God and are joyful to do it, even if it means life is difficult.

Every step of this adoption journey has taught me something, but most importantly it is not about me, but about God and His plan and what He's doing in this world.
I can rest in that.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Melaku and for us.