A Beautiful Day

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I spent the day fasting and praying.  I was still on duty as a mom, but I was still able to talk to the Lord, pray, and pour out my heart while taking care of the little guy.  The little man and I sat down in the morning to read my Bible - I read out loud while he sat there... with his hands folded and head bowed. He was praying! I did not ask him to do this...he just did it.  And so we read, and prayed.

We are continuing to pray - the news report is speculation, and we did read a notice on our agency's website about the news article, the report says this:

As many of you may have seen, there is an article on Voice of America regarding MOWA's alleged plans to significantly decrease the number of adoption cases they will process per day. Our understanding is that, at this time, there have been no official decisions made by MOWA regarding the number of adoptions they will approve per day.

 As soon as we have concrete, verifiable information regarding the program, we will send it onto everyone.

 We continue to pray and turn this over to the Lord. Whatever corruption is going on, that it would stop. If case loads are heavy, that they would be eased. That adoption would be treated as a ministry and not a business. That families would understand adoption better through all of this...but above all, that God be glorified and the children be the number one concern - for everyone - that people act in the best interest of the children but also act quickly.  From what I understand about the Ethiopian culture is this - they value relationships and family and they know children belong in families. They know that orphanages are not a place for their children.

We know that God has a plan for these children and he promises he won't leave children in orphanages - John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.  And again Psalm 68:6 - God sets the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.

We continue to pray for the situation and everyone involved.  We know that it's hard as waiting parents to not be anxious and get upset about the situation...God has led us this far, through this much, he is not about to quit on us now. That's a promise. We are reminding ourselves that everything is in God's time...not ours - and that is hard to remember at times. We are leaving it at the foot of the cross and waiting on the Lord. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The day yesterday with God was good. Really good. It's now a concerted effort for every day. It's hard when I get busy, and I do forget to rely totally on God.  I am the do it herself type girl. But I know I can't do it all.  I can't do it at all. God has to do it. And I surrender myself to him daily and let him.
After yesterday...today is a lot easier... And the Lord is now carrying the burden that I was carrying.