Do you remember the agony of being told something when you were younger and then being told..."But you can't tell anyone!" When I was about 5 my mom bought my dad a new fishing rod as a gift and made the mistake of telling me about it. Needless to say it didn't stay a surprise...if you've known me for more than a minute you know staying quiet is not my strength but yet I'm in a situation now where sharing "the news" can negatively affect something very important to our family! Imagine the struggle my big mouth has had over the past 6 months!!! Isn't it funny how God frequently puts us exactly where are our weaknesses must be made strong? I can't tell you how many un-posted entries there are on this blog. I was given the great advice early in this process to journal along the way so even though I can't publicly share everything now, I'll have all of the details of this incredible journey in print to one day share with anyone willing to listen :) But today I'm happy to be able to report...we will be spending Thanksgiving in Russia with our sweet baby boy!
We leave this coming weekend and we'll be there a little over a week. This will be our first trip. We will have to go back two more times before we get to bring him home. I dare not give an estimate of when that will be...just pray instead for travel mercies, protection over our ENTIRE family and provision to complete the adoption.
The last few days have been pretty crazy around our house...who am I kidding? The last few MONTHS have been crazy around our house! But yesterday the verse from John 16:33 came into my head. "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." As I read it I thought..."Oh no Lord, what are you preparing me for now." The day went on pretty normal. I found my typical adoption related obstacles and frustrations and then got a call from the girls school letting me know Carsyn was really sick (tummy/fever virus)...which I should have totally expected given all that we have going on this week. Nothing overwhelming just regular "stuff" to distract my attention from the all of the good we have to be thankful for. The day ended with a visit to the Secretary of State's office in Montgomery to have even more documents apostilled before this trip. As I walked in I saw that the office I normally go to was dark...or course, my immediate reaction was "no they can not be closed after I drove all this way." And if you're familiar with the journey we've been on through this adoption you would understand that yes, in fact, that would be very typical of the experiences we've had :) But no, they were open. Just the lady (let's call her Ms. J) that normally helps me was out. As another sweet lady helped me I asked about Ms. J...I was looking forward to seeing her. She has been an encouragement to me every time I've visited for an apostille. I learned that she was out because her mother had passed away very unexpectedly. After a few minutes of hearing the details of what happened and the grief Ms. J is experiencing John 16:33 popped into my head again. I asked the lady to please share this verse with her the next time they speak but she was so encouraged she immediately put it in an email and sent it on. As I was leaving I thought about how awesome it is that God puts people in our path to uplift us. He has used Ms. J to encourage me and ease some adoption related frustrations in the past. I had no idea why that scripture was laid on my heart until I heard about my sweet sister in Christ that is in such pain and needed the encouragement..."take heart! HE has overcome the world."
Driving home something the lady told me about Ms. J kept re-playing in my head..."She is so disappointed because it just didn't go like they expected." How many of my expectations haven't been met since this adoption began? Since we received our referral? Since we received our travel date? Since yesterday? :) Am I adding to my own grief everyday because I set expectations for the way things "should" work out instead of just seeking the ONE who has overcome the world? John 16:33 was for me :) The 'trouble' we will experience isn't always life changing like the death of a loved one...it's recording a password incorrectly causing yourself hours more of work. It's not being able to find enough crisp new bills after visiting 10 different banks. It's having a holiday that shuts down many of the offices you need important documents from in an urgent manner. :) Trouble isn't just tragedy, it's the daily frustrations of life that distract us from our peace and joy in Christ.
So friends...let me tell you what is "troubling" me so you can specifically pray for us: :)
-being apart from our children (both in Russia and in the US)
-the "stuff" that must be done before we travel
-a sick little girl and fear that she'll share her germs with the rest of us
-my back "issues" (yes it is still bothering me!)
-raising the additional $5000 we need to cover our adoption expenses
Your prayer support means more to us than you know. If you'd like to also support us financially, I've added a page on the left of this that gives details on how you can make a tax-deductible donation. Also, the fundraiser we are doing on http://ironbowladoption.com/ is coming to a close on November 25th. If you'd like to give by voting for your favorite school or passing on our site to your fellow Auburn or Alabama fans, we'd be so appreciative. (BTW, there is a new update on the website about an extra incentive to donate... go check it out!!!) We have felt so loved and encouraged through this process and as this walk is coming to an end, all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and KEEP PRAYING!!! :)
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