Hope in the Next Steps

I received this text from Tony at 9:11AM yesterday: "Paperwork was just delivered!"

I honestly have no words for what this means. While sitting at YMCA yesterday, waiting for my dear friends to begin Bible Study, Tony and I prayed over the phone for the 93 page dossier he had just sent to Bethany for inspection. Tears rolled over my cheeks and my heart burst with gratitude for the next step in a journey I am so privileged to call my own.

For now, our major work is done. We have literally sealed our life and sent it away to be checked, rechecked and hopefully approved by a government that, until two months ago, didn't even know we existed. It is an eerie feeling to know there is nothing else we can do but wait and pray...and raise funds.

Time will now speed up for us. We are in the final stages of what is already an incredibly fast process, and while we long for the day we bring our son home we realize the changes that are fast approaching our family. In every good way we anticipate the day we hold our son and the way he will forever and profoundly change us.

Please pray for our hearts in the waiting. We like working. We like getting things done. We like control, and for the next few weeks nothing is in our grasp. We cling to the promise that God is in control and that His ways are good and righteous. We ask that you would pray for our hearts of patience and gratitude as we wait. We ask that you send us texts and emails when you think of us and as God lays scripture on your hearts you speak truth over our lives.

We also ask that you enter with us into a season of praise. God has done so much! We are so fully loved and so wonderfully comforted by the knowledge that our God is the good Father, that He is faithful, and loving and true. We give Him glory for aligning us in a unique relationship with Himself and with each other as we seek to serve Him. We are grateful and thankful for abundance that is not wasted.

Please also pray for our children. The next few months will be ripe with changes for each of them. As our older two begin school in September the dynamic of our family will be in flex. Pray for the resiliency of their spirits and hearts as we help them find their place in our ever changing family. Praise God for His loving care of our children. He has given them hearts of acceptance and love beyond their years and each of them has expressed their excitement at welcoming a new member of our family. We are so grateful for the work of Jesus in the hearts of our children and we pray continued growth and generosity in all our family members.

Pray also for wisdom as we continue to raise funding for the remainder of the $27,000 of fees and travel costs. We have learned so well what Jesus meant by the "giving of our daily bread", and it is for this we pray, no more, no less, exactly the portion we need for each step. We are blessed by the efforts of Tony's brother, Chris and his wife Sarah to raise money through their passions, a Football Pool. And we hope to begin selling t-shirts to supplement costs as well (keep your eyes out!). Pray for patience and dependence on Jesus as we move forward with faith.

We pray also for you, our dear friends and supporters! As we press into Jesus and follow His call we are reminded how much God cares for us. We pray that you will enter the fullness of God's mercy and love and find His heartbeat in yours. We pray the richness of the Life of Christ for you, and rejoice that He has given each of us a unique and beautiful mission.

Thank you for supporting us as we experience the beauty of God's love! We wait, we pray, we surrender. Most importantly, we rejoice for all that God has done and is doing and is yet to do! Our hearts are full...so very, very full!

To follow our story or join our team of support visit our YouCaring site.
Originally Posted: 8/16/12 on our YouCaring site.