New Court Date Scheduled

 

Well we heard just a bit ago that the court date was rescheduled as the social welfare director did not finish with the social welfare report on the child referred to us.  We are disappointed but not surprised.  We have a new date set for April 9^th …. Please keep praying!  Thank you! 

CALLING ALL PRAYER WARRIORS!!

 

Our spring break came to an end yesterday.  Today the boys returned to school, Chris returned to work and Kylie and I returned to our daily routine of household chores (laundry – yuck!) a little TV for her and work for me.  It is fun to spend time as a family and build memories.  We so look forward to those moments that we have.  Often now when we are doing things together I think about what it will be like with one more little one in the crew.  When I see the boys so tenderly helping Kylie, will they do the same for our new little sweetie?  I am confident they will and even through the tasks asked of them, or the ones they chose to do just to help, they will step up and show Christ’s love.  It is a sweet thing to see as most of you probably experience in your homes as well.  I just love to watch the transforming heart.  There is no guarantee on this journey.  No “for certain” that any of our children will grab onto the transforming gift of Christ.  What a treasure it is. 

 

We are asking for prayer in the next 36 hours.  We still have a court date scheduled in Ghana for THIS Wednesday the 19th and are asking that you pray on behalf of this little one and our family.  Please pray for God’s plan to unfold and that He would move mountains to bring permanency for this sweet little girl.  Our prayer is always first and foremost that if this is God’s plan for her that He would make it happen.  We want to be sure that she is orphaned and that the processes that need to take place are done correctly.  We don’t want our impatience to cloud any plan that God has.  We wait, we pray and we hope for great news on Wednesday.  We know that news could be that court was held and things are not in order … or they attempted court but those needed to proceed did not show up.  In each and every scenario we trust and believe that God is working through it all.  And while you are praying in the next 36 hours, could you also pray for my sister Anita’s family.  There are weeks that are really tough when you are following God and doing things He is asking.  Sometimes those tough things come in the form of an attack by the one that does not want to see healing and restoration.  Please pray for them as well … I love them so much and it is so hard when tough times hit.  We serve a mighty big GOD and I know that He loves much deeper than we can fathom.  Thanks for following our journey, sending us never ending words of encouragement and for your faithful support.  We appreciate it so much!  

Realistic Hope?

 

Chris and I were having conversation over the weekend about our upcoming court date.  We are so hopeful that things will move forward on this date and we will know for sure the next steps with the child that has been referred to us.  The problem is REALITY.  The reality is, if we look at those that have gone before us we should be prepared to have our court date cancelled several times.  How does one remain in hope, but not get very disappointed when reality happens?  Is there such a thing as realistically hopeful?  That is where we feel we are at.  We HOPE for great things and that God has big plans to make things happen, we are REALISTIC that we may have to deal with a court date that doesn’t happen …. And then we look at expectations.  We hope, with an expectation that things likely won’t happen the way we want.  But then is that even hope? 

 

What it reminds us is that this all comes down to FAITH.  I think sometimes as Christians we throw these words around and don’t really think about what they mean.  When we made the decision to adopt Kylie we choose her middle name to be Faith … we knew our journey to her was directly related to our Faith in Christ and following God’s leading.  The verse we picked for her when we dedicated her was from Hebrews 11:1 -3 & 6 … “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

 

So … our HOPE ultimately comes from our FAITH.  Without FAITH, we cannot truly HOPE!  We can be sure of what we hope for in this situation and we have faith that God is in control of it and knows all of the details that we cannot see.  So, maybe it is realistic hope … but really it is FAITH that allows the HOPE to exist!  Please continue to pray with us for March 19^th …. Please pray that God would move on behalf of this sweet orphan in Ghana who needs a forever family, and please pray that God would allow our family to be that family for her.  The picture I chose for this post reminds me of joyful faith and hope ... our fundraiser day that was so filled with hope and faith and those that love us.  Thank you so much for your love and support … we are honored that you are following our journey and appreciate your prayers so much!