Tuesday, March 8, 2011

MARCH FORTH!

Well, it has been quite a day, to say the least.

Basically, the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia is saying that they will cut adoptions by 90% effective this Thursday. If this goes through, it could obviously change everything about the adoption process in Ethiopia. Our agency has asked us to help spread the word about "A Call to Action!" proposed by Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS)...

Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children

What You Can Do:

Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi.  And PLEASE help us spread the word!!!


Thank you so much for signing this petition! And thanks so much for all of your countless phone calls, texts, and emails telling us that you are praying for us and the situation in Ethiopia! I can't even tell you how much it means to us!

And PLEASE continue to PRAY for Ethiopia, its officials and the children there. We know that our God is in complete control, and we are trusting in Him. When hard times, doubts and confusion arise, I have to always go back to TRUTH. To God's Word. To His promises. To His calling.

My sweet friend, Sarah, shared this verse with me this morning, and I have repeated it countless times today...

"The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."
1 Thessalonians 5:24

God has called us to our daughter in Ethiopia. And we will remain obedient to His calling. We know in our hearts that she is there. Through fasting and prayer over the last few days, God has confirmed that multiple times. He never promised us that the journey to Caroline Faith would be quick or easy, but He did promise to be with us. And His presence is sustaining us.

As she was praying for me today, God prompted a precious friend of mine to go and buy a cookie cake for me with our verse Hebrews 11:1 on it. And I love that she was so obedient to get out in the thunderstorms to do something to encourage me. She told the man at the cookie store why she was getting me this cookie and why she wanted this verse on it, and the man gave it to her for FREE!


Of course, I cried when I saw it. I had no idea when God showed us this verse to claim over our adoption journey to Caroline Faith how much FAITH would be required. A journey of FAITH like nothing we have ever been on before...and we are seeing God's FAITHFULNESS like never before.

On Friday morning on the way to teach preschool, we were listening to KLOVE in the car. Which is really rare because we are usually listening to Seeds or VeggieTales or some other kids CD. Well, they were talking about how a girl had called in and said that today is the only day in the whole 365 days of the year that is a command. March 4th...March Forth! Get it? :)

I thought that was kind of neat, but it honestly did not cross my mind again. Well, please read the post below if you haven't heard about our March 4th! It was the first day that we heard anything about the possibility of adoptions being reduced in Ethiopia, but it was also the day that God provided the biggest fundraiser we've had for Caroline Faith...and some other amazing confirmations!

Well, this was the comment by sweet Joyce on our last post..."You know, it was like God even ordained the date for you: March 4th - or - march FORTH."

It hit me so hard when I read that comment this morning. I had not even remembered that! Of course, God would ordain that so perfectly!!! Yes, we will be obedient to His command.

We will continue to march forth on the path that He has given us...the path to our fourth child, our precious daughter, Caroline Faith.

"In Your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let Your right hand achieve awesome deeds." Psalm 45:4

15 comments:

Kelly Jo said...

I am ready to MARCH FORTH with you no matter what!! I am so thankful for you!! Love ya friend!!

Abby said...

we will march forth with you, too! praying like crazy! and what an amazing fish fry you had! praise God!

Bonnie Nieuwstraten said...

I am praying!! Our God is mighty to save, and He will save these little ones. I'm so glad that He spoke to you and Jody about Caroline Faith these past few days. Discouragement is one of the enemy's biggest tricks. Stay in the battle, armed with TRUTH!

Go and Tell said...

Love it! We are marching with you, Alison!

Elle J said...

Beautifully written with such strength - joining you in prayer!!

Steph said...

Alison, thanks so much for the prayers that you have offered up on behalf of my husband and me. We really appreciate them!

This situation has concerned me as well. I have been praying for God to be with all of his children who have obediently answered the call to adopt. I have been praying he would give us favor with the Ethiopian government, just as he gave Joseph favor with Pharoah, just as he gave Queen Esther favor with her king, just as he gave favor to Daniel and to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego before Nebuchadnezzar, and just as he gave Paul favor with King Agrippa. Let scripture quiet your anxieties.

Christy said...

He is mighty to save!!! So cool to see that there are 6000 signatures already. I posted this on FB before I saw it here. Praying for you and your girl!

Sarah Broadus said...

this situation has been on my heart since I first read the email a few days ago-I have been praying for yall and the rest of my Ethiopian adoptive families!

Hannah said...

I've been following this... The same group was behind the closing down of Guatemalan adoptions. I'll be praying for all those involved and will go check out the websites you posted. My prayers are with you and of course all the babies that are there that need to come home to their families.

On another note, I have been playing catch up on everyone's blogs. I cried when I read about the fish fry....HOW amazing is that. It must give you peace to know that no matter what roadblock the devil throws out there, it can not stop the hand of the Lord. :)

Kelli said...

praying

Anonymous said...

Praying with you!!!!

hugs-
emily v.
vogeltanzfamily.com

Joyce said...

I'm so glad you liked my post! I, too, heard the March Fourth/forth on the radio in Boston :)

Many are praying and fasting for the orphan (and other intentions) over at this blog today:
http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/2011/03/pray-with-us.html

For those who observe Lent, today is Ash Wednesday, a powerful day of prayer and fasting.

God will be faithful to you as you are faithful to God!

The Segrests said...

Praying for y'all Alison! Just stopped and prayed for y'all in our kitchen when i got your email. I am going now to sign this petition!!! Love you!

Amy and Mike said...

March FORTH!!! (Love that!)

Janet Holloway said...

Alison, Knowing that He is in Control I am praying and claiming this verse for your precious family.

I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers.
Isaiah 65:24