First I want to thank all my dear friends and family who have been praying for us and for the girls. This has been one of those things in life that is taking a little time to process and grieve. Each time I hear 'I've been thinking of you, or I've been praying for you', I'm so relieved. AND because of that, I understand how we've been able to walk through this. It wasn't a strength that was our own.
It was one day this past week while praying, that I was able to finally actually accept it. Somehow with quite a few answered prayers, a small stack of Bible verses, and rereading the girls' info from the agency again, I suddenly had a peace wash over me. I thought I had accepted many times, but the following day, or later that same day, would prove I had maybe accepted it in that moment. Now I'm writing after quite a few days of having 'accepted it'. I think I'm finally able to move forward. Not that I don't think of them LOTS, and that I still look at their pictures a lot, but I accept what it is. What a privelage it was to love them for one week, and dream of them as daughters for 2 months. They have so many people here that will continue in prayer for them. I'm thankful to be a part of that. We walk around saying some of their silly words:) And it makes us all giggle.
Adoption. Such a journey. It's one of those things in life where you have no control over certain aspects. At the exact same time you have to continually learn to control your mind and emotions, but with a humble submissive spirit...If you want to come out well on the other end that is:) It's a learning of perseverance, and trust in God. Certainly a walk of faith.
So in light of it all, we have a completed Dossier ready to be shipped off to Ethiopia. We are waiting on our approval from the American government, and then off it will go.
So there you have it. We are beginning to see a new beginning. Is this what God used to get us on track for the child God has chosen for us? Will it be one or two? Who knows! We obviously don't. But we are in it, and we trust in God. He knows, and He always leads us in the way we should go when we trust in Him.
It was one day this past week while praying, that I was able to finally actually accept it. Somehow with quite a few answered prayers, a small stack of Bible verses, and rereading the girls' info from the agency again, I suddenly had a peace wash over me. I thought I had accepted many times, but the following day, or later that same day, would prove I had maybe accepted it in that moment. Now I'm writing after quite a few days of having 'accepted it'. I think I'm finally able to move forward. Not that I don't think of them LOTS, and that I still look at their pictures a lot, but I accept what it is. What a privelage it was to love them for one week, and dream of them as daughters for 2 months. They have so many people here that will continue in prayer for them. I'm thankful to be a part of that. We walk around saying some of their silly words:) And it makes us all giggle.
Adoption. Such a journey. It's one of those things in life where you have no control over certain aspects. At the exact same time you have to continually learn to control your mind and emotions, but with a humble submissive spirit...If you want to come out well on the other end that is:) It's a learning of perseverance, and trust in God. Certainly a walk of faith.
Our take home?
At this time there are several things we see happening because of these two precious girls.
1. We would absolutely not be in the adoption process right now if it were not for them.
2. We would not have chosen the local agency or International agency we are with if it had not been for the girls. (We had different agencies selected, but with Summer of Hope you have to use their affiliates. AND our caseworkers from both agencies have been nothing short of INCREDIBLE!!!)
3. We would not be going through Ethiopia either because we thought we were interested in other African countries:) Shows you how much we know!
So in light of it all, we have a completed Dossier ready to be shipped off to Ethiopia. We are waiting on our approval from the American government, and then off it will go.
So there you have it. We are beginning to see a new beginning. Is this what God used to get us on track for the child God has chosen for us? Will it be one or two? Who knows! We obviously don't. But we are in it, and we trust in God. He knows, and He always leads us in the way we should go when we trust in Him.
