Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Right Back Here Again.


Okay, today has been an emotional day. I was on a 3 hour conference call today with USCIS and the Department of State.

When we started this adoption journey, I never in a million years would've dreamed this journey would include a conference call with government officials and asking people to sign a petition to the prime minister of Ethiopia!

But God knew. And once again, He is asking us to put all our FAITH and HOPE in Him. I am going to be real honest here...sometimes it's hard. Right now, it's hard.

Basically, it all comes down to the fact that we could, once again, be facing significant delays in bringing Caroline Faith home. We really have no idea of a timeline right now.

But God knows. And we are trusting that this delay is all part of His divine plan to bring us to our daughter. His plan is so much greater...it's much bigger than we could ever imagine.

Once again, I am at a place where I have to let go of "MY" timeline, and surrender to God's timeline. You would think I would've learned this lesson, as I have had to do this so many times over the course of this journey. I give it all to God, but then I start trying to "take it back" a little bit and control it myself.

And then God puts us right back into a place of TOTAL and COMPLETE dependence on Him alone...which is exactly where we are supposed to always be. This adoption journey is all about HIM...His calling, His faithfulness, His child. Yes, Caroline Faith is His child. He created her. He's knows what's best for us and for her.

And we trust Him completely. I am not putting my hope in our adoption agency, our government, a petition, or anything else. I am choosing to put ALL of my HOPE in God alone. He has a plan for bringing Caroline Faith home, and I will rest in His plan...even when it's hard.

We are praying fervently. Please pray for us! We need your prayers and encouragement right now. Our 7 year old daughter prayed the sweetest prayer tonight for her baby sister to come home soon. It left me in tears.

There are A LOT of "unknowns" for us right now on this journey. But these things I KNOW...God hears our prayers. He sees our tears. He is in control. He is FAITHFUL. And He has a good plan for us and for our daughter.

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."
Romans 8:26-28

10 comments:

Elle J said...

I have no reason to stop praying for your family =) please know that so many are on this prayer journey with you. Sorry today was a hard day. Big Hugs.

Hannah said...

I sorry it's hard right now. I **know** that feeling. We were in a similar situation with Sophia, they literally told us they had NO idea IF she'd ever come home. The feeling of not knowing when your baby is coming home...feeling sad and helpless...but still knowing that the Lord is on the scene and will work it out in HIS perfect time. I remember that so well. It is hard. SO hard. The faith that your family has is strong...so strong that the Lord has to honor it. He'll bring your sweet Caroline Faith home.

We'll be praying for you and CF while you wait for that window to open :)

The Journey said...

"Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:22

Kelli said...

Praying friend.

Mama Mimi said...

I couldn't think of a better passage to end that post with - beautiful! Hopefully by the time you get to the court proceedings, some of the new systems they proposed will be implemented and smooth sailing! Praying for Ethiopian adoptions to reach everyone's goal of being 100% ethical!

erica said...

I know just how you feel. Just when I think we're getting close, something else comes up. Just part of this emotional roller coaster of adoption! But God knows all, sees all, and has a purpose for everything. We just need to trust Him! He can see our children right now, exactly where they are at in Ethiopia, and He knows they're part of our families. He will provide, and He always keeps His promises. His ways are SO much bigger and better then ours! Blessings to your family throughout the rest of your wait, however long that may be! (I'm voting for a short wait, but there I go again trying to have it MY way instead of God's!)

Hugs to you all!

Bonnie Nieuwstraten said...

Praying~ I know how hard this is, all the unknowns, the waiting. Our hope is in HIM!

woosterweester said...

We're right there with you Alison, believing that God is sovereign--not just in the big stuff but all the little details. Hard to live out some days but thankful we all have this community where everyone "gets" it and prays for each other. Got my bracelet from you in the mail the other day, wore it to church on Sunday and prayed for Caroline Faith. That girl is covered in prayers.:) What great rejoicing there will be when we bring them all home!!

Angela said...

Soooo Praying!

The O'Briens said...

You have reminded me this morning that it's not MY time, but HIS. I am glad to know that I am not the only one that has to learn and relearn this lesson daily. I am praying for y'all everyday and I cannot wait to meet Caroline. Loved being with you today. Hope it happens more often :) Prayers to you my sweet friend.