Shock and Awe.

That pretty much describes my emotions yesterday.

First, shock.

We were 99% sure (the same way a pregnant woman might think she is) that our referral would be a boy. We hadn't specified and we certainly didn't care...but in the course of things, we had just assumed things would go a certain way (we should have known better since NOTHING in this process has gone as planned) =)

and we were 100% sure that nothing would be happening any time soon. Last we heard, nothing was expected to move for a while. Paperwork nonsense...clarification....bleh.

So, to get the call?  

To realize that in that moment our lives were changing?

Yes. Shock.

But in shock and awe....The awe is the best part.

We immediately felt immensely blessed as we looked at our daughter's big beautiful dow-eyes and small frame.

We were in love with her serious expression and what was described as her "reserved" personality.

And we were overwhelmed by the spiritual and natural redemption that adoption brings.

When we looked at her face and read about her story, all we could think was...

She is our daughter.

We hope to never take for granted how blessed we are that God has chosen us to protect, shepherd, and steward her life...even for a short time.

We may have initially been shocked. But it was the awe that changed us forever.

Amazing Gratitude.

Laying in bed this morning, I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.


For my Salvation.


For my family and friends.


And especially this morning??


For my BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER!


Yes, in case you didn't catch that. Yesterday was (so far) the best day of my life when late in the afternoon we were introduced to our beautiful barely-three-year-old little girl.


I feel like I am flying. It's surreal. And wonderful. And I keep just soaking in everything about her. She truly is God's most perfect creation yet and we are so excited to get to be part of her world.


Since I can't show you a picture of my beautiful Cupcake, I thought I would let my friend Franky describe her as clearly as I could for ya'll!!

Please keep praying for us. We're not through the thick of it yet as we work to raise funds and pray down any more hindrances and attacks to prolong our daughter's stay in an orphanage.


We believe that it was through prayer warriors joining with us that her referral came through and we believe that that SAME prayer can push us through the system with-- what can only be described as-- the Favor of the Lord.


We can't wait to bring our baby girl home!!

Thank you for praying with us and celebrating our beautiful daughter!

Prayer please

Please pray for us today.

We are expecting that God has given us great favor and we are confident that no attacks/delays/hindrances of the enemy will be able to continue to slow down God's plan.

We are warring.

There are specifics that I can't share yet, but please know that this is critical. We are asking every praying person to join with us today.

The fight.

Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."




In high school, I readied myself every morning with this verse....so much so that I had the lengthy excerpt memorized. I am sad to say that I don't have it memorized anymore.
 
I am not sure at what point in our lives we start leaning on our own abilities. I can't remember a specific day when I stopped "putting on the armor of the Lord" every morning. But I know this....
 
We won't win the fight without it.
 
As I look at my frustration, my lack-of-control, and my inability to go swoop up my child and hold him/her close to me, I can't help but be reminded that I am far more vulnerable to attack without my shield of faith.
 
That without the belt of truth, I am more succeptible to the lies of the enemy. That without the breastplate of righteousness. Without the helmet of salvation. Without the sword of the Spirit?
 
I am simply a sitting duck.
 
The enemy wants to throw out his attacks on your life with the speed of a machine gun.
 
How prepared you are for battle is up to you.
 
 
Me?  Well moving forward, I am ready.
 
The Lord goes before me and I will be victorious. I may be on the front-lines of battle, but I have an armor that the enemy can't penetrate. I have a promise that will never be broken.  And I have a commandor that has already defeated the opposition.
 
I could continue trying to do it on my own.  I might even be able to weather some of the storms of attack in this battle.
 
But I don't just want to weather the storms sometimes.
 
I want to win.
 
So I am going to take up my armor and remember that my fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.
 
And I will be victorious.
 
And I LOVE that satan hates that.

Letters to my Child: While you are sleeping.

Right now, it's 12:30am in Ethiopia.

I am sure you are sleeping (at least you better be). I can't help but sit here and wonder what you look like sleeping. If, even now, you're smiling in your dreams...I wonder if your little eyes flutter as your mind takes over and you dream peacefully tonight.

I wish I could gently kiss you face and say a prayer over your little body tonight. Praying that God would hold you close in His embrace. That you would seek after the things of God all the days of your life. That His perfect destiny for your life would be fulfilled and you would know Him more deeply than I could even imagine.

I would pray that you would have confidence to stand up for what's right, even if it's not easy. And that the influence that God gives could be used to bring others to the realization that God's love is better than anything you could chase after in this world.

I would pray that you would be able to accomplish everything you put your mind to. And that even in those times when you don't, that you would be courageous in your attempts...that you would be gracious in your defeats... and that you would be strong enough to try again.

I would pray that you would listen closely when God speaks and you would carefully follow His directing.

I would pray for your husband/wife. That he/she would balance you completely. Where you are weak, that he/she would be strong and where he/she is weak, that your strength would minimize those weaknesses. That together, you would be a witness to the power of faith, and love, and endurance. 

I would pray that you know the joy of spontaneity and childlike ways. That you would never be too big, or too proud to simply play.  That laughter would fill your life.

I would  pray that you would be quick to compassion. And that you would challenge us daily to love and give more fully.

I would pray that each day with you, I would understand more fully the love of our Father. That I would be challenged to be a better person and that I would grow in faith and love and courage just from being blessed to be your mommy.

I would watch you resting and imagine what you would be dreaming about. I would pray that your dreams  always make you smile and that the comfort and peace of God give you rest.

All while you are sleeping.

Rest Peacefully Dear Child.
I love you across the ocean and back.