Friday, July 13, 2012
Quick Update on Speed Bump . . .
I just wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful conversation with the adoption agency. We agreed that our concerns would probably not fit with adoption through an agency. She did assure me that the little boy we have been praying for will find a match for adoption certainly and quickly. That is wonderful; will be praying that he is adopted into a loving home and he will know the Lord at a very early age.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Timeline
July-August 2013: Before traveling, I had three prayers: (1) that I would get to meet JP's mother and that it would be a meeting in which God was glorified; (2) that I would understand the truth; and (3) that the Lord would provide a connection in the DRC, so I could know how things worked out and help if it became necessary. I knew that the mother was ill, and I knew that the extended family was not willing or able to care for JP. This created a great deal of worry for his well-being. The first two prayers were answered in country; the third was answered as we returned home. My private investigator was so moved by the investigation that she has kept in touch with the family. I never asked her to do so, nor have I made one inquiry, but she has taken the initiative to keep me up-to-date on the family. My replies must be vague: we continue to pray for the family. We can't promise that we will be able to move forward with an adoption, so the family needs to make the best decisions for JP, regardless. JP is currently still living with his mom. Her brother forced them to leave their home because he could not care for them, so they are now living with a cousin. The hearing that I thought was going to be a hearing about JP's well-being was actually a "slander" suit against the mother. An attorney in the area has agreed to defend her for free. At this time, the orphan and widow are being cared for by the Lord. I am so thankful for the ability to pray for them, as they walk through this season, and I am encouraged by the Lord's provision amidst a seemingly hopeless situation.
July 10, 2013: I left the DRC, unsure where anything would lead.
July 9, 2013: Today was the day that I was going to meet JP's mom. I think that actually deserves its own post: it was such a powerful moment. Because both parties (our in-country rep and the biological family) had begun to make allegations against one another, a civil suit had been filed on July 8. JP was returned to the family, at the family's request. So, we met--JP, his mother, his three uncles, my translator, my private investigator, and me. I learned one important thing at that meeting: mom willingly abandoned JP to an orphanage last July or August because she was too ill to care for him, but mom did not know he would be adopted. Once the family met me and knew he would live with someone responsible, they wanted him to be adopted. But, the ethical considerations were so gray--and the civil dispute and Embassy application so mired--that there was no way to move forward toward adoption as things stood. I went to my hotel and immediately withdrew my petition. The Lord, in His time, would have to reveal the next steps.
July 8, 2013: I met with the US Embassy and received a copy of the discharge and abandonment report in question. I met with our in-country representative and discovered that these documents included fingerprints, something that were not included on the black-and-white copies provided to the Embassy. It was my full intent to get a fingerprint expert and prove one way or the other what happened. Unfortunately, the fingerprints were pretty smeared on one of the documents, but there was at least one good print. I did not know where I would get a stamp pad in the DRC. Amazingly, I looked in my suitcase, and I had brought a few games in case things worked out (how naive I was at how complicated things had become). In one of those games was a stamp pad. Just a little encouragement from God.
July 6-7, 2013: I flew to DRC. I was petrified, traveling alone, but also grateful for the opportunity.
July 3, 2013: On July 3, I received a call from the Embassy. They were alleging some very serious allegations against those who placed JP into an orphanage, and subsequently, up for adoption. I initially emailed our reps and told them to return him to his mother (who I thought had abandoned him) immediately. Because the Congolese courts had officially put him into our care, this had to be done through a tribunal. When looking at the documents, it seemed that some information on the documents--mom's complete, accurate address and JP's proper, full name--did not completely match the story I was being told. I did not understand why someone involved in criminal activity would voluntarily include this information when "mother unknown" or a new name for our little guy would likely have sufficed. I woke up in the middle of the night, worried for JP and wanting to know the truth. The next morning, the representative for our organization said, "You need to go. You need to ask the questions, so that you can understand what happened."
June 2013: Our little boy attended the visa appointment on June 10. We expected to hear news within the next few days giving us the okay to go and make JP part of our family. We waited and waited. We heard on June 17 that the DRC would resume issuing exit letters. We purchased tickets for June 25, sure that the visa would be issued by then. On June 24, we emailed the Embassy, frantic. They replied to let us know not to come--they had reopened the investigation.
May 2013: Because a family (not affiliated with us or our organization or even our country, for that matter) completed an adoption that did not meet the criteria for adoption in the DRC, the Congo made an announcement that they would not issue exit letters until they came up with new procedures, essentially closing down adoptions. We continued to wait. We heard that another family in our group received a negative finding from the Embassy, so we grew worried amidst all of these issues. On May 29, we received an email from the Embassy stating that our field investigation was complete. The visa appointment was scheduled for June 10. We thought this was the news we had been waiting for.
April 2013: With the three-month mark coming up, we were growing more anxious and excited.
March 2013: In the meantime, it was our hope and prayer to raise enough funds that the children at the orphanage for which we raised money for beds and schools could have their own Bible. The money for each child to have a Bible was raised in about 48 hours. God is good!
February 2013: Because of the change in procedures, our Embassy binder--which had already been shipped to the DRC--could not be delivered by our in-country representative. I (and two other adoptive parents) traveled to DRC to drop our binders off at the Embassy. We delivered the binders on February 15. Our waiting period begins. I also got the privilege of seeing our little guy again.
January 2013: My school and Kate's school raised the money necessary to send 50 kids to school. What an incredible blessing! We gathered all of the documents for our Embassy binder, and at the end of the month, we requested an Embassy appointment. On January 31, the US Embassy announced that they were changing procedures. Visas would no longer be issued until the field investigation was completed, and the Embassy stated that would take three-to-six months.
December 2012: Received Adoption Decree. Waiting on other documents to say he is our little boy. Sent off information for passports, medical exam, exit letter and visa: the items we need to bring him home. Raising funds to send approximately 50 children to school through the sale of "School is Cool!" Bracelets. Adoption Act dated December 29, 2012. The adoption final in the DRC.
November 2012: Waiting game for adoption. In the meantime, raised funds to provide 20 bunk beds for an orphanage in the DRC. So exciting to see the Lord raise that money in about five weeks time.
October 2012: USCIS Fingerprinting Appointment. Visit to the DRC for our IR3 Visa. When we returned from the DRC, USCIS approval already received.
September 2012: WE HAVE A REFERRAL of a sweet little boy. We found out the agency with which we had question in June 2012 had some "issues" right during that time. Thank the Lord for discernment. USCIS Application in the mail. Dossier sent to the DRC.
August 2012: On the Road Again . . .this time, with an AWESOME organization!
July 2012: Put on the brakes. Waiting for God's direction in adoption.
July 10, 2013: I left the DRC, unsure where anything would lead.
July 9, 2013: Today was the day that I was going to meet JP's mom. I think that actually deserves its own post: it was such a powerful moment. Because both parties (our in-country rep and the biological family) had begun to make allegations against one another, a civil suit had been filed on July 8. JP was returned to the family, at the family's request. So, we met--JP, his mother, his three uncles, my translator, my private investigator, and me. I learned one important thing at that meeting: mom willingly abandoned JP to an orphanage last July or August because she was too ill to care for him, but mom did not know he would be adopted. Once the family met me and knew he would live with someone responsible, they wanted him to be adopted. But, the ethical considerations were so gray--and the civil dispute and Embassy application so mired--that there was no way to move forward toward adoption as things stood. I went to my hotel and immediately withdrew my petition. The Lord, in His time, would have to reveal the next steps.
July 8, 2013: I met with the US Embassy and received a copy of the discharge and abandonment report in question. I met with our in-country representative and discovered that these documents included fingerprints, something that were not included on the black-and-white copies provided to the Embassy. It was my full intent to get a fingerprint expert and prove one way or the other what happened. Unfortunately, the fingerprints were pretty smeared on one of the documents, but there was at least one good print. I did not know where I would get a stamp pad in the DRC. Amazingly, I looked in my suitcase, and I had brought a few games in case things worked out (how naive I was at how complicated things had become). In one of those games was a stamp pad. Just a little encouragement from God.
July 6-7, 2013: I flew to DRC. I was petrified, traveling alone, but also grateful for the opportunity.
July 3, 2013: On July 3, I received a call from the Embassy. They were alleging some very serious allegations against those who placed JP into an orphanage, and subsequently, up for adoption. I initially emailed our reps and told them to return him to his mother (who I thought had abandoned him) immediately. Because the Congolese courts had officially put him into our care, this had to be done through a tribunal. When looking at the documents, it seemed that some information on the documents--mom's complete, accurate address and JP's proper, full name--did not completely match the story I was being told. I did not understand why someone involved in criminal activity would voluntarily include this information when "mother unknown" or a new name for our little guy would likely have sufficed. I woke up in the middle of the night, worried for JP and wanting to know the truth. The next morning, the representative for our organization said, "You need to go. You need to ask the questions, so that you can understand what happened."
June 2013: Our little boy attended the visa appointment on June 10. We expected to hear news within the next few days giving us the okay to go and make JP part of our family. We waited and waited. We heard on June 17 that the DRC would resume issuing exit letters. We purchased tickets for June 25, sure that the visa would be issued by then. On June 24, we emailed the Embassy, frantic. They replied to let us know not to come--they had reopened the investigation.
May 2013: Because a family (not affiliated with us or our organization or even our country, for that matter) completed an adoption that did not meet the criteria for adoption in the DRC, the Congo made an announcement that they would not issue exit letters until they came up with new procedures, essentially closing down adoptions. We continued to wait. We heard that another family in our group received a negative finding from the Embassy, so we grew worried amidst all of these issues. On May 29, we received an email from the Embassy stating that our field investigation was complete. The visa appointment was scheduled for June 10. We thought this was the news we had been waiting for.
April 2013: With the three-month mark coming up, we were growing more anxious and excited.
March 2013: In the meantime, it was our hope and prayer to raise enough funds that the children at the orphanage for which we raised money for beds and schools could have their own Bible. The money for each child to have a Bible was raised in about 48 hours. God is good!
February 2013: Because of the change in procedures, our Embassy binder--which had already been shipped to the DRC--could not be delivered by our in-country representative. I (and two other adoptive parents) traveled to DRC to drop our binders off at the Embassy. We delivered the binders on February 15. Our waiting period begins. I also got the privilege of seeing our little guy again.
January 2013: My school and Kate's school raised the money necessary to send 50 kids to school. What an incredible blessing! We gathered all of the documents for our Embassy binder, and at the end of the month, we requested an Embassy appointment. On January 31, the US Embassy announced that they were changing procedures. Visas would no longer be issued until the field investigation was completed, and the Embassy stated that would take three-to-six months.
December 2012: Received Adoption Decree. Waiting on other documents to say he is our little boy. Sent off information for passports, medical exam, exit letter and visa: the items we need to bring him home. Raising funds to send approximately 50 children to school through the sale of "School is Cool!" Bracelets. Adoption Act dated December 29, 2012. The adoption final in the DRC.
November 2012: Waiting game for adoption. In the meantime, raised funds to provide 20 bunk beds for an orphanage in the DRC. So exciting to see the Lord raise that money in about five weeks time.
October 2012: USCIS Fingerprinting Appointment. Visit to the DRC for our IR3 Visa. When we returned from the DRC, USCIS approval already received.
September 2012: WE HAVE A REFERRAL of a sweet little boy. We found out the agency with which we had question in June 2012 had some "issues" right during that time. Thank the Lord for discernment. USCIS Application in the mail. Dossier sent to the DRC.
August 2012: On the Road Again . . .this time, with an AWESOME organization!
July 2012: Put on the brakes. Waiting for God's direction in adoption.
A Huge Speed Bump . . .
In continuing with the traffic metaphors used in other posts, we are at a speed bump, if not a stop sign.
The last few weeks have been disappointing at best. With high hopes of beginning the process to adopt the little boy mentioned in a previous blog, we quickly submitted our application, only to wait two weeks due to "unforeseen circumstances" in the agency's office. We finally received our approved application and contract--and after raising a few eyebrows over the fees--we had to ask some questions; unfortunately, those questions were never clearly answered. The Lord has closed the door on adoption from that agency, and there was really a bit of grieving for the little boy that never was. I believe I will pray for that little boy for many years to come. The Lord knows him, and the Lord hears our prayers. Thank you all for praying for him, and as your hearts are moved for the orphans of the world, maybe the fact that we know him and pray for him, will help shed a light (and hopefully, the Gospel) to his world.
On the same day that I expected to receive some answers from the agency, I received another email with different answers than I had hoped. To make a long story short, I learned of a group working on the ground in the DRC through a friend's blog. On a whim, I sent an email to them to see if anyone had opinions on international adoption in the DRC. The response was timely, and unfortunately, disappointing: Ethical adoption in the DRC--without a trusted contact on the ground--would be extremely difficult, if not "impossible", to achieve. He did end with a beautiful line, though: "I trust the Lord will grant you success as He is the God of impossible things."
We do not question that ethical adoptions occur, nor do we question that there are many people in the DRC putting the childrens' best interest first, but we do recognize our naivete (and even pride) in thinking that we can sign a contract and write a check and ensure a child would be better off with us than in his/her home country. And until we can be certain that our adoption would be in a child's best interest, we are going to have to put on the brakes.
We fully trust that the Lord has a plan in this journey. We are in contact with some amazing ministries in the DRC and look forward to working with them--either through adoption or through aid. We are checking with domestic agencies to ensure that there are not children available here who would be a good fit for our family. And we just learned of a ridiculously cool opportunity to grow a church in the Kenya slums (if you would like to know how you could make a HUGE impact on children's lives there and help share Christ, I would love to fill you in).
The last few weeks have been disappointing at best. With high hopes of beginning the process to adopt the little boy mentioned in a previous blog, we quickly submitted our application, only to wait two weeks due to "unforeseen circumstances" in the agency's office. We finally received our approved application and contract--and after raising a few eyebrows over the fees--we had to ask some questions; unfortunately, those questions were never clearly answered. The Lord has closed the door on adoption from that agency, and there was really a bit of grieving for the little boy that never was. I believe I will pray for that little boy for many years to come. The Lord knows him, and the Lord hears our prayers. Thank you all for praying for him, and as your hearts are moved for the orphans of the world, maybe the fact that we know him and pray for him, will help shed a light (and hopefully, the Gospel) to his world.
On the same day that I expected to receive some answers from the agency, I received another email with different answers than I had hoped. To make a long story short, I learned of a group working on the ground in the DRC through a friend's blog. On a whim, I sent an email to them to see if anyone had opinions on international adoption in the DRC. The response was timely, and unfortunately, disappointing: Ethical adoption in the DRC--without a trusted contact on the ground--would be extremely difficult, if not "impossible", to achieve. He did end with a beautiful line, though: "I trust the Lord will grant you success as He is the God of impossible things."
We do not question that ethical adoptions occur, nor do we question that there are many people in the DRC putting the childrens' best interest first, but we do recognize our naivete (and even pride) in thinking that we can sign a contract and write a check and ensure a child would be better off with us than in his/her home country. And until we can be certain that our adoption would be in a child's best interest, we are going to have to put on the brakes.
We fully trust that the Lord has a plan in this journey. We are in contact with some amazing ministries in the DRC and look forward to working with them--either through adoption or through aid. We are checking with domestic agencies to ensure that there are not children available here who would be a good fit for our family. And we just learned of a ridiculously cool opportunity to grow a church in the Kenya slums (if you would like to know how you could make a HUGE impact on children's lives there and help share Christ, I would love to fill you in).
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Endless Funds . . .
Money. Yes, this is the sermon we all hate to hear on Sunday morning. Is he talking to me? Am I using my money wisely? How do I give when I feel we are just scraping by? Philip and I have had the opportunity to be in plenty and to be in want, and in both circumstances, I think we have had the exact same feeling: a desire to be generous with our funds, yet a small, nagging voice that tells us--"Don't be unwise. Don't give too much because it may run out, and where would you be in an emergency?" So, we conservatively give and hang on to enough to handle most of life's unexpected costs. We give with a bit of apprehension and that robs us of joy.
The amount of money we have in our bank account doesn't change this feeling because how we feel about money is not a matter of finances, but a matter of the heart. In the Bible, it is clear that every cent we have is a gift of God; it is clear that we are only stewards of His money; it is clear that we should not hoard our resources at the expense of others; and it is clear that we should give from a heart of joy, not fear. But, when it comes down to it, we don't really--deep-down, in that part that sleeps well at night even when we don't know what tomorrow brings--trust God. I see this so beautifully with my children. Any time we discuss people who have less than we do, they are ready to empty every cent from their piggy banks to give to those in need. Why? Because they trust that we will replenish those bank accounts, that we will provide for their needs, that we have endless funds. They have seen us feed them, clothe them, and care for them, and they don't question that there will be provision tomorrow. So, they give freely and joyfully.
When you are in the midst of an adoption, an unfortunate byproduct is that you think about money and your finances a great deal. The budget gets beautifully tight. :) It gives you the opportunity to evaluate how much you really have and how much you can really give. It is both exhilarating and terrifying. One of the best resources I have found is the Narratives by George Muller (I downloaded the narratives free on Amazon Kindle and am including a link to a blog devoted to Mr. Muller here). Mr. Muller lived in the 1800s and raised several million pounds to care for orphans through prayer alone. He prayed, and God provided. God's provision increased his faith to pray more. It created a beautiful relationship between he and His Lord. When Muller speaks about His reliance on God versus man, he recognizes that those who trust in the Lord will never be confounded. Men may no longer be able to help or may see fit to give aid to other causes. But, "in leaning upon the living God alone, we are BEYOND disappointment, and BEYOND being forsaken because of death, or want of means . . .How precious to have learned in any measure to stand with God alone in the world, and yet to be happy, and to know that surely no good thing shall be withheld from us whilst we walk uprightly!"
The amount of money we have in our bank account doesn't change this feeling because how we feel about money is not a matter of finances, but a matter of the heart. In the Bible, it is clear that every cent we have is a gift of God; it is clear that we are only stewards of His money; it is clear that we should not hoard our resources at the expense of others; and it is clear that we should give from a heart of joy, not fear. But, when it comes down to it, we don't really--deep-down, in that part that sleeps well at night even when we don't know what tomorrow brings--trust God. I see this so beautifully with my children. Any time we discuss people who have less than we do, they are ready to empty every cent from their piggy banks to give to those in need. Why? Because they trust that we will replenish those bank accounts, that we will provide for their needs, that we have endless funds. They have seen us feed them, clothe them, and care for them, and they don't question that there will be provision tomorrow. So, they give freely and joyfully.
When you are in the midst of an adoption, an unfortunate byproduct is that you think about money and your finances a great deal. The budget gets beautifully tight. :) It gives you the opportunity to evaluate how much you really have and how much you can really give. It is both exhilarating and terrifying. One of the best resources I have found is the Narratives by George Muller (I downloaded the narratives free on Amazon Kindle and am including a link to a blog devoted to Mr. Muller here). Mr. Muller lived in the 1800s and raised several million pounds to care for orphans through prayer alone. He prayed, and God provided. God's provision increased his faith to pray more. It created a beautiful relationship between he and His Lord. When Muller speaks about His reliance on God versus man, he recognizes that those who trust in the Lord will never be confounded. Men may no longer be able to help or may see fit to give aid to other causes. But, "in leaning upon the living God alone, we are BEYOND disappointment, and BEYOND being forsaken because of death, or want of means . . .How precious to have learned in any measure to stand with God alone in the world, and yet to be happy, and to know that surely no good thing shall be withheld from us whilst we walk uprightly!"
Friday, June 15, 2012
One
So, after a week or so of finding out more information, we have decided to pursue the adoption of one little boy. We are still awaiting the acceptance of our application with our new agency, and then we begin the final paper chase to get all documents to them within 30 days (a very reasonable goal, I think). Once the paperwork is complete, we should be able to fly to the DR Congo within 6-9 months to bring him home. So, it has been an exciting time. We are praying for him, and I can picture him in my rearview mirror when driving around town, holding my hand in the parking lot, or climbing into the bunk beds we will soon be adding to our home. Needless to say we are excited.
With that excitement comes a bit of guilt. My heart has been both joyful and heavy this week. While we can look at one little face and think, "We want to make you part of our forever family," we have to look at other faces and essentially say, "We can't give you a home right now." And, honestly, that makes me feel guilty. But, I think those feelings are sinful because they are rooted in my own pride. See, I can't really "save" anyone. I can't even "save" the one who we will bring into our home. Sure, I can give him food, water, and lots of love (and at times, I may even do that poorly), but I can't save him. Why? Because I am not Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus reminds us what He alone can offer: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" Making our circumstances better here is not what really saves us. He must save souls, both those in incredible wealth and incredible poverty.
I just finished reading the book, Kisses from Katie, about a young American girl serving Christ in Uganda. While she has helped over 400 children receive food, education and medical care--and has adopted 14 young girls of her own--she still struggles over those who continue to suffer. But, the Lord reminds her that "God's love made known is worth it, even if only to one [child]." (205) This reminds me of Luke 15, which is such a beautiful chapter because it shows through a series of parables the joy and rejoicing in heaven when ONE comes to know Christ. So, this week I am trying to rejoice over the one and cry out to the One Who Saves for those I cannot bring home: Henock, Chancelle, Sandrine, and millions of other orphans both overseas and here at home. He knows them by name, He knows every hair on their head, He shares in their suffering and He alone can give life.
With that excitement comes a bit of guilt. My heart has been both joyful and heavy this week. While we can look at one little face and think, "We want to make you part of our forever family," we have to look at other faces and essentially say, "We can't give you a home right now." And, honestly, that makes me feel guilty. But, I think those feelings are sinful because they are rooted in my own pride. See, I can't really "save" anyone. I can't even "save" the one who we will bring into our home. Sure, I can give him food, water, and lots of love (and at times, I may even do that poorly), but I can't save him. Why? Because I am not Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus reminds us what He alone can offer: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" Making our circumstances better here is not what really saves us. He must save souls, both those in incredible wealth and incredible poverty.
I just finished reading the book, Kisses from Katie, about a young American girl serving Christ in Uganda. While she has helped over 400 children receive food, education and medical care--and has adopted 14 young girls of her own--she still struggles over those who continue to suffer. But, the Lord reminds her that "God's love made known is worth it, even if only to one [child]." (205) This reminds me of Luke 15, which is such a beautiful chapter because it shows through a series of parables the joy and rejoicing in heaven when ONE comes to know Christ. So, this week I am trying to rejoice over the one and cry out to the One Who Saves for those I cannot bring home: Henock, Chancelle, Sandrine, and millions of other orphans both overseas and here at home. He knows them by name, He knows every hair on their head, He shares in their suffering and He alone can give life.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thank you!
While we did not intend to fundraise for this adoption, a sweet friend hosted a jewelry party for me with jewelry she acquired from missionaries in India. In the end, she helped us raise $400. Thank you to Jessica and to everyone who was able to attend.
Seeing God in the Bumps . . .
So, this is the week. Our home study is completed, and we are ready to sign an agreement with an agency and make the first big payment. Whew! What an up and down this week has been. For the last month or two, we have been assuming that we would go with the agency that probably has the largest presence in the DR Congo. They are a Christian organization, they have their own orphanage, and the caseworker assigned to the DR Congo is incredible. They travel in groups to the region, and have a full-time staff in the country. They have everything you would hope for, but I just have not been able to sign the documents. One reason I can say is a little boy. When I first saw his picture two months ago (and this was the set of pictures that broke my heart for the DR Congo), I thought he was the cutest thing. But, we were so far off from having our paperwork done that I never really thought of adopting him. But, now it is time to sign up with an agency and wait for a referral, and he is still waiting (I check back every few days). And, to top it off, two weeks ago, I had a dream that a teenage boy was sitting next to me on the couch (not our couch, not sure where it was), and his name was the name of a little boy on the waiting child website. And, I had this "protective" feeling towards him. I have never been one to have dreams that mean anything (except when I am worried, I do dream that my teeth fall out). Today, I was able to speak with the country coordinator with the little boy's agency, and I learned a few things about him. They actually knew about this little boy, where he had come from, where he was living now. It was so exciting to be talking about a real-life, little boy. So, what's the drawback? First, this agency would cost substantially more. These children are currently living in the rural areas of the DR Congo, and they have to be transported to the capital city. We know money is not a deterrent to God, but in all honesty, it does cause a bit of heartburn for us. Second, this would close the option on a sibling group. While four children has been an overwhelming thought, Kate will be very disappointed not to have a sister. **Although there is a cutie named Sandrine that has captured my heart too. :) So, we invite you to pray with us that God would again show us His will and allow us to have peace with the decision. I ran across this while reading Isaiah the other day (God speaking through Samuel after they sinfully asked for a king), "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. . .Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider the great things He has done for you." (I Samuel 12:20-23) These verses are so rich. Today I am fully aware: He has done great things, and we pray for the glory of His name, He will be faithful in our journey. There is a little boy or girl on the other side of the world for which He is jealous. May we be the Gospel to that child.
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