Growth...of our family...in our walk with Christ...in all things to worship HIM!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

choosing to rejoice...a different part 3

Well friends...I have been gearing up to write Rejoicing part three (a referral for Aaron)!!

We received a verbal approval of our  I-800A (US immigration clearance) on July 16th 
and got the hard copy in the mail on July 21st.  

The social workers present dossiers to the ICAB (Inter Country Adoption Board) on Fridays.  
So we waited anxiously to hear if we were approved for our Referral on July 27th or if they will present us on August 3rd.  

Today I received a conference call from the director of our agency and our agency contact for Philippines adoptions.  

I was SURE they were calling to tell me that we have a referral!!!!

Instead, they called to say that we still do not have a birth certificate for Aaron.  (remember that this was what prevented us from bringing Aaron home for the summer hosting program)

We do not know where things are in the process or how long it might take to get it.  Unfortunately it appears that the ICAB will not give us a referral without the appropriate birth certificate.  

We have had so many opportunities to see where our hope rests throughout this journey.  

We have told Christ that we will praise him when things go well, and when they do not!

So, I am once again humbled and reminded that the timing...and the journey as a whole is not mine:)

My mama's heart is having a hard time today with this setback.  
The enemy of my soul wants to discourage..whisper ugly nothings in my ear that once again we will not be getting the littles that our heart longs for.

But I am choosing to walk in truth and rest in the knowledge that our God is greater than this problem!!! 

 God is MY refuge and Strength, and ever-present help in trouble!! (Psalm 46:1)

  "Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief...

But  I trust in you, Lord; 
I say, "you are my God."  
My times are in your hands...

Love the Lord, all his faithful people!  
The Lord preservers those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.  
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." (from Psalm 31)

Once again I am reminded how very easy it is to rejoice in the Lord when all is well, when we get what we want, when our hopes and dreams all fall into place the way we plan.  But we are not to stop rejoicing when things look bleak, when there is a setback.  

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  (James:2-4)

So today, I rejoice...
I rejoice in the fact that I am loved by a heavenly father who gave HIS SON to pay for my sins

I rejoice that the enemy sees us as a threat for the kingdom of God

I rejoice that God has blessed me with a fabulous family

I rejoice that HE has hand picked Aaron for our family and in HIS time our sweet boy will come home

I rejoice that through this journey HE has given us a heart for littles around the world that are in need of love and a family

I rejoice that HE knows my heart even when I cannot articulate what is held there

I rejoice in our journey knowing that this setback is so little in the big picture of 
ALL GOD PLANS TO DO IN AND THROUGH US




3 comments:

  1. Oh, sweet friend! My heart aches for you too! IT WILL COME TO PASS! I soooo understand. Praying for you, your sweet family, and Aaron on the other side of the world. Our Lord has everything under control. Jo Anna

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  2. I feel your pain with the unexpected delay! We are waiting on our own referral, and it's torture. Especially when they keep asking for something else before they will approve. But hang in there! I'll be praying for a birth certificate to show up!!

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  3. I will keep you in my prayers!

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