Still In...

Last night, we heard some encouraging news from our agency. Our agency director spoke with our attorney yesterday regarding our case. The attorney says that for some reason abandonment cases are taking longer to be released than relinquishment cases. But, the good news is, we haven't been kicked-out again. We were resubmitted to PGN 4 weeks and 2 days ago. Our previous kick-outs have all come within 3 weeks of being resubmitted. I'm hoping that since we've made it past the 3 week mark, we won't get kicked-out again. I know it's not much to hold on to, but we hold on to what we can these days!! =) My husband is quick to remind me that each day brings us one day closer.

I heard something on Focus on the Family this week that has just stuck with me. Stephen Curtis Chapman was sharing about what his family has gone through since the death of their daughter, Maria Sue. Someone sent him a card with a statement that went something like this..."Maria is a greater part of your future than she was of your past." I have hung on to that this week. Our prayer is that Giovanni will not only be a part of our life here on Earth, but a part of our life in eternity. And if so, just think of all the time we will have to share. We've said it before and we'll say again, our hope rests in God, the One who started us on this journey. We eagerly anticipate what He will do as He continues to grow and mold and shape our family.

Blessings,

Happy Birthday

It happened on Friday, our little boy turned 2. When we began this journey in December, I had every intention of having him home by now. And if I was in control, he would be here. But I'm not in control, and in all honesty, the Guatemalan government is not in control, God is in control of this adoption. So, I have to trust that He knows what He's doing.

Friday was one of the hardest days yet. We were privileged to be at our church's family camp, surrounded by people who love us and pray for us. Friday morning, I sat in the back with Samantha, listening to the speaker talk about the importance of blessing others. How critical it is to step outside ourselves and our problems and take a moment to just bless someone else. He challenged us to do that at that moment, not to wait and put it off, but to step out and just bless someone. Samantha was sleeping, the tears were streaming down my face, and then someone I didn't even know came alongside me and laid his hand on my head and just prayed. At that moment, I knew that God was smiling down on our precious son in Guatemala. As I felt the breeze blow across my face, I was reminded that that same breeze would blow across the face of our son thousands of miles away. I was washed with peace. My faith and trust were renewed. I know that the road ahead still holds bumps and turns that I may not even be able to imagine, but I also know that God will, in His time, bring Giovanni into our family forever!

Then, today, I was scanning through the blogs of friends and came across an entry from my dear friend Kelly, who had not forgotten that it was Giovanni's birthday. I am overcome with emotion as I think of her stepping outside of all her own challenges, and taking the time to post and pray for Giovanni. I know that it is the prayers of our friends that carry us through this. Kelly, thank you for listening to God and obeying, for carrying some of my pain. We are so blessed.

Blessings,


James 5:16 -- The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.

In Again, Out Again, In Again...

Oops...forgot to post that we're back in PGN again. Our attorney successfully met with PGN and was able to resubmit our case on July 28th. So now, we wait some more. Giovanni will be 2 on Friday. Yet another chance for me to surrender to God's plan as I had really expected to have our son home by now. Thanks for continuing to journey with us.

Blessings,



Jude 1:20 -- But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.