The Mantel of Waiting

As I was journaling this morning, I took some time to read back through previous entries. Times when we were waiting to see movement and having to trust that God was at work even when we couldn't see it. In one entry, when we were waiting and longing for Samantha's pink notice, I commented on the mantel of waiting. That is how I feel again. It seems that when the mantel of waiting gets to be heavy upon my shoulders and my heart cries out for God to lift it, He does and we move forward. Is it my lack of faith, or is it that God knows just how much I can take?

I am thankful that God had me write those words back in December. God knows I need markers in my life. Milestones I can go back to and rest on and be reminded of His faithfulness. He is always faithful. Even when I can't see Him at work, He is at work. When things aren't moving the way I expect them to, I am reminded that this journey is not about me. It is about God and faith and His plan, which is much bigger than just me.

Today, I wondered...where am I placing my hope? Is it in God or is it in the representative at my congressman's office who is trying to find out where our PA is? Is it in the US gov't or the Guatemala gov't? That would be silly. How thankful I am for a God who knows everything. Not just some things or most things, but everything. I am thankful that He is powerful over all. Again, not most or the majority, but ALL. He is supreme and in control. I long for news of our PA for Giovanni, but more than that, I long for my life to reflect my belief that God is all-knowing and all-powerful. May my spirit find peace and rest in that today. May I walk with the confident assurance of faith - that what I hope for IS going to happen. That what I long for, though I cannot see it now, will come about. Not because of who I am or what I do, but because of Who God is.

Psalm 46:10-11 - Cease striving (NASB); Be still (NIV); Be silent and know that I am God! I will be honored throughout every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (NLT)

Blessings,

Still Waiting

Our previo is fixed and should be in Guatemala today. The process was much simpler than I thought it would be! Our attorney in Guatemala FedEx'd the original document back to us. We received it Friday the 13th and sent it to the Consulate in Los Angeles on Monday. Apparently, when it was originally authenticated by the Consulate, the person who signed for the authentication forgot to stamp his name underneath the signature! The Consulate was very nice, apologized, correctly stamped the document and returned it to our agency in Florida. All in all, much easier than I anticipated.

Now, we wait continue to wait for the US Embassy in Guatemala to issue their preapproval of Giovanni's visa. It really shouldn't take them this long, as his is a genuine abandonment case. There is no family to interview or DNA to verify. We've contacted the Embassy today, asking for the status of our case. We'll let you know what we hear.

Thank you for your continued prayers for this precious little boy. We are eager for him to be home. To know he has worth. To know he is loved. To know life as a family!

Blessings,


Act 20:24 -- But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.

A Previo!

In conversations with our agency this evening, I learned that we've gotten a dreaded previo. A fixable one, but a previo none the less. A previo is a request from whomever is reviewing the documents to have a document (or several) redone. Apparently, something was wrong with the authentication of our homestudy addendum. Unfortunately, we only had one copy of the addendum. So, tomorrow, I will contact our homestudy agency, have them FedEx us another copy of the addendum, and then begin the process of authentication...to the state capital for notary check...on to the Guatemalan Embassy in Los Angeles for authentication...to FL so our agency can check it...to Guatemala for translation...back to the Family Court for review...all the while praying that this time, it was authenticated correctly.

The good news is, we don't have PA from the US Embassy yet, so as of this moment, this isn't holding up our case! We continued to find peace in God's perfect timing and trust Him with the continued care of our precious boy.

Thanks for your prayers on behalf of our family.

Blessings,

Hab 2:3 -- But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.