Illusion

Illusion.

That's the word that keeps coming to mind after reading something earlier this week. Some news that makes the glimmers of hope we've been hanging on to suddenly feel like it's all been an illusion. A mirage in the desert.

In one of the adoption groups we belong to someone posed a question about adoptions in Ghana being put through as emergencies because of medical reasons/needs for the child. Apparently most cases that have tried this have not seen success. If adoptions are not going through for medical reasons it would seem age would be an even less likely reason. So it would seem emergency adoptions are an illusion, rather than a reality.

Another thing the post indicated was that those that have applied for emergency status have been contacted and given an answer. We were told our case was sent last November, and as we've heard nothing (we thought maybe it was sitting in a pile on a desk) our guess is that it was never sent. Another illusion.

At the same time, we do have some encouraging news. We have made a few contacts that are going to try to help us. Oddly enough, one is through Doug's place of employment and one through mine. We spoke with one of these men earlier this week and he assured us that he and friend will do everything "humanly possible" to help us. They are both Ghanaians. They will be meeting with the orphanage director soon.

I was chatting with Frederick a few days ago. He was desperate to know where things are at with the adoption. I always try never to be overly positive or negative. Always try to stick with assurance that no matter what our circumstances we have to believe and trust that God loves us and is for us.

I have to share his last response to me, just as he wrote it: "oh mum, I know there will be a way where there seems to be no way because he has said in the Scriptures that casting all ur caries unto him 4 he cares 4 you (1st peter 5:7) that says the Lord Jesus Christ."

Even Now, Somehow

“EVEN NOW, SOMEHOW” - this has been my simple three word prayer lately for our adoption process.  Short and simple, but meaningful and powerful.

EVEN NOW

Comes from a great story of faith in the Bible.  The book of John, Chapter 11.

When Jesus lived on earth he had some good friends - Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Two sisters and a brother.

Lazarus got sick.  Mary & Martha called for Jesus to come.

SO when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Jesus stays where he is, instead of going where he is needed to help the people that he loves.

The word “so”, as opposed to “but” - it would seem Jesus was choosing NOT to come, not to show up in the time of need for his friends.  He hears and stays, instead of hearing and coming, which is certainly what Mary and Martha are expecting him to do.

After two days Jesus, and his disciples head to Judea, where Mary & Martha are.

When they get there, Jesus finds that Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days..

There is often significance to number in the bible.  So why 4 days?  Perhaps a Jewish custom which believed that the spirit did not leave the body for three days - meaning the first three days in the tomb Lazarus was dead.  But on the fourth day, he was DEAD.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him.  And she said to him:  

 “Lord...if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  BUT I know that EVEN NOW God will give you whatever you ask.”

Martha had the faith that Jesus could have healed her brother when he was sick.  Martha had the faith that Lazarus would “rise again in the resurrection at the last day”  (John 11:24).  Faith in the past, and faith in the future.

BUT Martha also had the faith that “EVEN NOW” Jesus could undo what had  already been done.  That he could reverse the irreversible.  That it’s not over until GOD says it’s over.  Even when it looked like it was way too late for Lazarus.

SOMEHOW

Comes from Phillipians 3:10,11 - “I want to know the Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, SOMEHOW, attaining to the resurrection of the dead.”

When my expectation isn’t of something, but my expectation is to know SOMEONE, then I can stare in the face of uncertainty, and say “SOMEHOW”.

We only have a small window of time to get our paperwork filed for our adoption to even have a chance to be processed.

Still believing for a miracle.

“EVEN NOW, SOMEHOW”

My inspiration to pray this came from a combination of two things = (1) “The Circle Maker”, Chapter 8, page 90 and one of my all-time favorite messages from Pastor Steven Furtick.  I would encourage you to listen to it, period.  But especially if you are feeling disappointed by God in any way, or feeling like He is not answering your prayer etc.  Here is the link:

http://elevationchurch.org/sermons/the-expectation-gap

Just in case the link doesn’t work  The message is from Elevation Church, The Expectation Gap series, Part 2 (May 25, 2013) entitled “Even Now Somehow”.

Just as Much

by Ruth

Hopeless.  Defined by dictionary.com - "impossible to accomplish".

Is that the right word to describe where we are at in our adoption process?

We were short on time when we started the process just over a year ago, and we knew it would be a challenge and that God would have to do a miracle or two for things to happen in time.   And that was BEFORE there was a temporary suspension placed on inter-country adoptions by the Minister of Women & Children’s Affairs in Ghana.

Right now we have about 10 weeks left before it will be too late to file our paperwork.

Hopeless?

Some sure seem to think so.

Jeremiah – the “weeping” prophet, called to minister to Israel when they were at one of their lowest points in history.  Tough job.  And he got to the point where he simply asked, “God, can I trust you?”.

Jeremiah 15:18 – “Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable?  You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.”

If you haven’t asked this question in your life as of yet, chances are at some point you will.

Job, the man who lost his possessions, family and health, also struggled with this question.

“Does it please you to oppress me, 
to spurn the work of your hands,
 while you smile on the plans of the wicked?” (Job 10:3)”

And yet, in Job 13:15 we find him saying “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.”

Really?  Wow.  Now that IS faith.

Mark Batterson says in “The Circle Maker” – “the more opposition we experience, the harder we have to pray, and the harder we have to pray, the more miracles God does.”

We are praying a circle.

We are praying through.

We are praying harder.

We are praying like this depends on God.  Because it does.

But has our situation become hopeless?

We came to the realization we have NO LESS hope than on the day we began this process.

Why?  Although perspectives and circumstances have changed and obstacles have come, God has NOT changed.  His power is still unlimited, and He is still able, and He CAN perform big miracles.

A Special Prayer for Frederick

Meet Josiah.

Josiah is adopted.

Josiah has autism.

Josiah is the grandson of my friend Sue.

Josiah is a cousin to Kadre & Attah, two boys adopted from the same orphanage we are adopting Frederick from (Frederick and Kadre are best friends).

My daughter Brianne and I had the privilege of hanging out with Josiah and his grandparents a few weeks ago.

Josiah felt an immediate connection to Brianne.  Before they even interacted much, he pointed to her and said “You are funny” (we often refer to Brianne as our stand-up comedian).  He remained at her side the rest of our visit.

Josiah pointed to me and said “You are tired”.  While he seemed to get Brianne pretty accurately, I wasn’t really sure I was feeling very tired that evening!   So I don’t know where that came from, but to him I am “the tired one”.

The next day, while Josiah was still at his grandparents, he went to the picture of Frederick on their refrigerator and asked what his name was again.  Sue realized that having met us the night before she could now make a connection for him.  She told him Frederick was going to be Brianne’s brother, and Mrs. Clark’s son (to which he said – “the tired one”) and that we needed to pray that he would be able to come here soon.

Josiah said “He’s brown like me”.

And he sat down and prayed for Frederick.

We are so thankful for all of you, including Josiah, who are praying for us and with us through this journey.