Adoption Chapter 3...China

 Here's our update in a nutshell for those of you who just want it upfront and would rather skim the pictures ;)  We are compiling all our paperwork right now to adopt a little girl from China with a new agency. aka-starting completely over!!  With this new paperwork we will also have our domestic adoption process updated.  We would love your prayers for us and our future child in this process!

 I saw this quote on facebook one day and I had to screen shot it because it is so pertinent to our adoption journey.  In November of 2014 we found out that our agency we had been with for four years to pursue our Ethiopian adoption was telling us that they felt they were unable to continue processing adoptions from Ethiopia.  They are keeping their program open as long as they can just in case, and our paperwork will stay there until they shut it down, but they told us to move on if we wanted to bring a child home.  I feel like He has answered so many of our prayers for guidance and direction through closed doors.  I am so grateful for his direction, however it comes, but I am specifically praying that this time He would answer our prayers to direct us to our child through an open door for us to walk through.

Our sweet friends and family have been patient in prayer with us and so faithful to encourage us too.  Two of my accountability partners got me this globe and attached scriptures to it and told me that wherever in the world your child(ren) is/are, we are claiming these verses and praying them with you.  I treasure it, and it's up on our mantle to remind us of God's promises in His word.

For months after we received the news from Ethiopia we have been grieving our plans and expectations and praying for God to continue to guide us to our child.  We researched ALOT too!  This "adoption journey road map" was in one of our packets of requested info and I laughed out loud when I saw it-had to personalize it a bit with some scripture because our "journey" has looked nothing like the normal "plan"!  Through every bump and twist on the road, God has been with us, faithfully providing what we need, and growing our faith...this is the reward, not a child; but more of Jesus.  Occasionally people will say to me, "I'm so sorry this has been so hard".  My response to this has changed a bit from "thank you, and I will now go cry in self-pity", to "thank you, but it is bringing about so much dependance on the Lord, and so much faith growth, and compassion for others who are waiting-especially on children, that I'm glad it's been hard...but I'm ready for a child whenever!"  The third try's the charm, right?!?

3 years waiting

Today marks 3 years on our agency's waitlist for our baby girl in Ethiopia.
"Do you not know, have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:28-31

Lord,  We trust you.  We remember your promises and walk in them today with joy from you!  Strengthen us for today and show yourself glorious and mighty in how you bring Marlee home.
In Jesus' name, Amen.