Obedience

I believe as Christians, sometimes we are given situations where God simply wants obedience. 

No questions asked, just do it. 

That happened to us this week. 

On the way home from the beach on Sun, I had a talk with my hubby. 

I told him that I had been praying and asking God what should I do while I am waiting. 

And the answer I got on Sun was, "GO!" 

I thought for sure when I told hubby this he would laugh. 

After all, who does that. 

Who takes an extra trip to Africa during their adoption process? Who leaves their 4 children at home and disrupts regular life without having to? Who spends 2k on a trip to Africa when they are saving every penny to adopt? 

But you know what he said when I told him? 

He said, "Go."

He wanted me to obey God and was willing to do whatever it took. 

Monday was a really hard day. Coming back to real life. And the reality that weeks and weeks had passed with no news. And this burden on my heart to "Go." 

It's scary to think about going to Africa without my hubby. 

I prayed and asked God to make it crystal clear. Hit me over the head please!

I sent an email to my friend who might know of others traveling to Africa. This would be my first mission trip and my first international flight. I most definitely didn't want to go alone. 

Within a couple of hours, she responded and said that two ladies were heading out soon and I could travel with them if I could get on their flight. 

Very soon. As in 14 DAYS!!!!

Ok Lord, you said Go, and I am going. 

There's room left on the flight! 

I put it on hold waiting for the ok from the orphanage. 

My mother in law is called in to action to help with the kids. 

I start making plans to get vaccinated. 

I start a shopping list. 

Then, less than 24 hours after deciding to obey and "Go".........

We got a call that our paperwork that we have waited 10 weeks for is ready!!!!!!

We could have a court date as early as beginning of Nov. 

I don't believe this is a coincidence. I believe that God was asking us to obey. 

Without questions, without protesting. 

Just obey. 

And God has put that "Go" on hold for now, until we get the call that we can go meet our babies. 

Downtime

We had a break from school last week, so we hit the beach

We had really weighed out taking a vacation this year. We are saving every penny to get the twins home and weren't really sure if we should do it or not. The Lord provided some friends to go with us and share the cost, so we took one last vacation as a family of 6. 

It was the best one yet!!!

We woke early to take pictures on the beach. 

We played at the pool. 

We got tattoos. 

We enjoyed the quiet. 

We read great books on the beach. 

And above all, we enjoyed God's creation.




Thank you Jesus for providing the rest and connection that our family needed. 

Strong Enough

We just came back from vacation yesterday. We had a wonderful, relaxing time together. I will post some pictures soon. 

But today it's back to reality. 

And my reality is that I have two children who live in an orphanage in Africa. 

Our adoption is at a stand still. No movement for 10 weeks now. 

To say that I am sad would be a gross understatement. 

I am breaking at the seams. 

I told my friend today that I haven't blogged lately because I have nothing good to say. 

I don't. 

I am not strong enough to do this. 

And I was in tears today when this song came on the radio.




What a precious song for my soul today. 

I am not strong enough to do this. But HE is and HE has called me to keep walking. 

I know so many friends who are going through hard, hard times. Please let this encourage your soul today. 

Wherever you are, HE is there, carrying you. 

Love is worth waiting for

That's my thought for today. 

The waiting is hard. 

Ok, it's unbearable at times. 

Paralyzing even. 

I have never felt so helpless in my whole life. 

Even when we were fighting for Jacob's life, at least we felt like we were in the fight. 

There are no words some days for how this feels. 

Which is why there are no blog posts. 

but......... there is LOVE. 

Love for these children. 

Love for each other.

Love for God. 

Love for His plan. 

And so we wait...........

Courageous

Hubalicious and I had an awesome date night with some friends this weekend.


We went to the premier of Courageous.


Talk about a call to action.


Tissues are a good idea.


You must see this movie! 

Anonymous

We got an unbelievable email this week. 

The folks at Promise 686 emailed us to let us know about a donation that had come in for our account. 

A $5000.00 donation. 

Yes, that's 5 THOUSAND dollars!!!

Immediately, I emailed back to ask who gave it. I wanted to know who to thank. 

It was an anonymous donation. 

We hope to show our thanks by being obedient. By continuing down this road even when it gets difficult. To obey and follow God even when it doesn't make sense. To be patient and rest in God's timing. 

And above all to thank God for being the author of this awesome story. 

As of late.....

As of late...... I have decided to join a women's bible study. I am really excited because it has been about 3 years since I have been involved in one. There's nothing quite like unpacking God's word with other ladies. And the fact that it's while the older kids are in school and there's child care for the youngest, well that's just icing on the cake. 

As of late......I have really been praying about how I can help the folks in my life "get" what we're doing. When God lights a fire in your soul, you will burst if you don't share it. 

As of late...... I am getting very nervous about leaving my children when we go to Africa. I know God's in control. I know they will be fine. I know that they understand why we're going. Even so, I have never  left them for more than a couple of days and I am having to work through all of that. 

As of late......I have made a commitment to learn how to use our SLR camera. We have had it since Dec and I don't know anything about it. I want to take some beautiful pictures of the twins homeland, so I am diving in. 

As of late...... I am seeing what a spiritual battle adoption is. With every bit of progress, Satan is upping the heat. This is not for wimps. 

So, what about you? What's happening in your heart?

Feel free to link up to As of Late, over at Critty Joy's As of Late