The Wait....

I recently posted the comment below on LifeSong's blog site. (Yes, in order to try to win a "free t-shirt"!!)

Writing it though, was a great reminder of God's faithfulness in all of those "times". You know...the ones when you just want to move or wiggle or run, or just DO SOMETHING to make things change?!! He sees us in our "endless midst", watches our silly shenaningans and then snickers, knowing what's in store. He's going to work it all out (for our best) in the end.

Waiting from our limited perspective can be "painful" at times. The blog I commented on challenged us to "...share a brief experience of how God worked in the waiting". It may sound like a simple little story. But it was one of the most excruciating times that I've been through in life. Knowing there will likely be more in the future, I was glad to be reminded of His hand in finally bringing it to an "end". One that I can see and move on from with deeper faith. Most importantly like many periods of uncertainty or "in-between" I see how He made something better out of me as well!

Oh the waiting...
Our adoptions (4 from Russia) began over 12 years ago. They were amazing -- God opened doors, provided funding in His glorious way, and even increased our income so that I could stay at home & care for our new girls. The wait was blessed, because He showed His clear intentions & provision for our family, but looking back that wasn't really the waiting that was so hard.

The time that was really difficult to "wait" through was the 10 years following the adoption of our youngest - twins! You see they came from "hard places". They were preemies and then lived in an orphanage, no one rocked them when they were scared or cried. People seemed untrustworthy and frightening. They only knew how to watch out for themselves. It was understandable, but made for a really difficult life in our family that wanted to be loving & "close".

So there were years of holding & tantrums, therapy, new parenting styles, prayer, crying, begging, and even probably some bargaining with God! He had his own time though. Finally we laid ourselves aside completely & just gave HIm time to do His work in them. That is when the real healing began! We watched and WAITED & waited & waited....

Our baby girls are 16 now & WELL WORTH the the time it took for God to redeem them from their past. They are sweet & beautiful creatures that are learning to know & serve God. Now it's time for "round two" and this time they will join the rest of the us as we begin our new adoption "wait"!!

This is in reference to adoption obviously, but there are so many things we wait on in life. What are some of yours and how have they changed you?

BON VOYAGE!!

Tynan is counting down the days to his mission trip in France & would really be encouraged to know he has your prayers & support!! He's trying to raise the last bit & gets really excited just to know someone has even given just $5 to support his work there. 

Go to his chip in page for an easy way to give, or to www.wol.org/giving to give online directly. Use his name & the following code: 0L0777

"Side Trip" notes.

Not that I wouldn't have been thankful in all things that are the will of God, but I am particularly happy & thankful to say that my surgery went well. The MD found NO CANCER!! and I seem to be slowly on the mend. I say slow, it hasn't been two weeks yet, and I'm off all pain meds, but just not quite back to feeling myself .

The computer has been my bedside friend this past week, since my mind has been way more active than my body! So that has been a help. T & I have been able to spend some good time working on orphan care details and planning while I've been lounging around. Our social worker called this past week as well, and we are going to start the homestudy update process...just to be ready wherever God leads next with adoption. However, to top it all off, from my recovery bed we have begun applying for a new overseas opportunity in full time ministry that has come up!

Can you say "New Frontiers"??? I had no idea one little "side trip" would be preparing me for so much more, but it may very well be that God expedited my need for surgery in order to be ready for something else He has in mind.

Please pray with us for His guidance and continued healing.

Also keep our kiddos in mind & in your prayers...
Tania Grace is still working hard to complete her college degree
Ana is living in Germany for the next year
Tynan is trying to finish raising/earning support for a 6 wk mission trip to France
Emma & Olivia are leaving Weds to work at Word of Life for the summer in upstate NY

Blessings as you all begin the busy summer season!! I pray you'll each find a time of rest as well.