The recent news out of Ethiopia concerning intercountry adoptions has had us on a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. Rumors fly, articles are published, rumors are put to rest, meetings happen and more rumors take flight. At this point we still don't have many concrete answers. Right now it's a waiting game. We knew when we signed up for adoption we were about to take the ride of our life. We are finding very quickly how true this is. The past couple days have been challenging ones and ones that have brought me to my knees. It's easy to start to second guess the road we're traveling. Lord, did you really call us to this? Are you sure Ethiopia is the country? Then we start to do the "what if?" game and the "what next?" scenarios. I have played out a thousand scenarios in my mind but each time I'm led back to where we started. I truly believe the Lord called us to adoption and I believe Ethiopia IS the country. My heart is so heavy and yet filled with love for a place I've never been. As we wait and wonder about the future of adoptions in Ethiopia I have felt an even stronger pull to this place. It's become so much more than bringing home our ONE child but about advocating for MILLIONS.
I started the Jesus Calling devotional this year and without fail everyday it just speaks to my heart and soul. Yesterday was no exception, it spoke so true to where we're at right now....
Waiting, Trusting and Hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me. Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me. If you mouth the words "I trust You" while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hollow. Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven. However, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present. Because you are Mine, you don't just pass time in your waiting. You can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust. Keep your "antennae" out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of My Presence.
So that's where we are. We're waiting and we're hopeful and we're holding on to His truths.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will 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
5 comments:
We are in the very same boat. I am so sorry for the confusion and frustration this brings. However I also wanted to share what my hubby said to me that was so fitting. He reminded me that we should do just like the troops do....follow the given order until you receive another one! :) Maybe that is too simple to have the impact it did on me, but it was just what I needed to hear. God has given us a directive, and we need to follow the first thing He said until we hear another command. Anyway peace and encouragement to you today!
I loved this post (and the picture is Ah-Dorable!). It's so hard to think about what's going on (possibly) in Ethiopia with adoptions, but so refreshing to know that God is STILL in control. He knew all along that all of this (whatever it is) was going to happen and He knows what will happen tomorrow, the next day and the next. He knows exactly where you guys' little Henry is and He knows the day that you will hold him in your arms for the first time. Hold on to His promises. He'll still lead you exactly where He wants you to be - just keep seeking Him. :)
...All this coming from someone who wanted so badly to adopt internationally, but after much prayer realized that going through the state is where He wants our family right now - so that's where we're at and we'll see where He takes us, too. Either way, it's not easy, that's for sure... One thing I know is that (like you) I'd rather be on a difficult road that He's leading us down than an easy one we're plowing for ourselves. I'll be praying for your sweet family!
Hugs from Oregon!!!
Karey
Love this, Shannon!! We are right here with you...waiting, trusting and holding on!! I know God has a perfect plan in all this!!!
Holding tight with you Shannon. This is HARD, but I love how you said advocating for one child has become about advocating for millions. The same God who holds our hearts through this difficult time is holding our little ones in Ethiopia, which gives me great peace and reassurance.
hi shannon! You know my friend Liv, and she pointed me to your blog a while ago. Thought I'd check in again to see where you're at in the adoption process.
I thought of you and all the others we know in the Ethiopian adoption process when I heard the new news - we were actually in Ethiopia at the embassy when we heard.
Love that picture you posted!! It's such a beautiful reminder that as we hold onto the Lord, he gives us joy to keep swinging, er, I mean trusting, waiting, hoping. :)
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