On Its Way!

Today our dossier paperwork is basically complete and making its way out of the country! What a big step for us. We are now officially waiting for a referral. And from here on out we will be very quiet about the adoption process on the blog. Our agency has advised us not to share information via the internet - blogs, facebook; even emails need to be pretty limited just to be safe. This is to protect our little boy and our adoption - we would not want any information shared to jeapordize our specific adoption but also don't want to do anything that would hurt the process for all the other kids waiting to be adopted or the families hoping to adopt them. From time to time I might be able to share vague prayer requests and things along those lines but any details about receiving or accepting a referral or even travel dates won't be making any appearances here.

We would love your prayers and will be able to share some information with you the old fashioned way - with actual words coming out of our mouths! Imagine that! :) But please don't be offended by a lack of information - it is in everyone's best interest and not because we don't want you to know. We know you care about our family and this journey and that's why you ask and we will be glad to talk to you as much as we can.

So, how can you pray for us?

• Pray for patience and peace as we wait for a referral. This could take days or months - only the Lord knows and His plans are perfect for us but that doesn't mean we are perfect at waiting. Just like any couple expecting, some days we feel overwhelmed with the way life is now and wonder how God is going to give us the strength to handle another blessing and the adventure to get to him. . . and some days it feels like we could be waiting forever to meet our new little guy.

• Pray for peace and wisdom once we actually get a referral and start to learn about and learn to know the one God has picked for us.

• Pray for us as we someday get to travel and as we anticipate that. We are not experienced world travelers and this part is definitely intimidating to us. We are absolutely refusing to worry, but fear definitely comes without warning at various moments!

Finally, I want to leave you with a Psalm that I read that reflects where my heart is today. I am so thankful God has helped us tackle all the details up to this point and been faithful in so many ways. But the last part of this psalm makes me think toward our next steps - that God would be our protector and that He would finish what He started in us and in this adoption process. In the times when I feel like giving up from frustration, I can cry out "Finish what you started God - don't quit on me now!".

Psalm 138

The Message (MSG)

Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.

When they hear what you have to say, God,
all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
They'll sing of what you've done:
"How great the glory of God!"
And here's why: God, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.