When the mountain doesn't move....

Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Matthew 17:19-21)  I have heard these verses my whole life.  I have sang songs about them.  I have declared them in prayer and have had them spoken over me in worship services.  I have seen mustard seeds and they are definitely small.  Do I really have faith smaller than that???  We have been in the adoption process for exactly two and a half years.  We have lost two referrals, had to re-do finger prints and home studies, and we have been waiting for the adoption judgement for our daughter for over two months now.  Why won't this mountain move?! Over the past few months, I have battled so much discouragement and fear.  Delays in our adoption process so far have resulted in disappointments and I don't think I can handle another one. Sometimes when you have experienced disappointment, it's a scary thought to trust again...to put your heart on the line...to have the faith to believe that it will all work out for your good.

  In church last Sunday during praise and worship, I prayed "God, I know we all have a measure of faith given to us, but I pray for increase."  Our pastor preached on "suddenly" moments in the bible.  He spoke about Paul and Silas sitting in prison singing praises when suddenly a violent earthquake caused the prison doors to fly open (Acts 16:25-26).  He talked about the woman with the issue of blood who had sought healing for twelve years.  She saw Jesus and decided she would "try" again. At the hem of his garment, she was healed suddenly. (Mark 5:25-29).  With every example our pastor gave, I could feel God answering my prayer.  I could feel the courage that I needed to believe AGAIN.  To believe that God was on my side...that God had a plan and purpose...that God is rarely early, never late, and always right on time.  When God told Abraham to take the son that he had waited years for up on the mountain for sacrifice, He obeyed.  He didn't know how God was going to work it all out, but he believed he would.  As Abraham was walking on one side of the mountain, God was working on the unseen side of the mountain.  When they reached the top and prepared for the sacrifice, suddenly a ram appeared. (Genesis 22:1-13)

 Some of you reading this post are in the same position.  You have a lot of unknowns.  You have been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting...But hang on because today could be your "suddenly".  Last week, I realized that sometimes the mountain doesn't move.  Sometimes we are called to climb.  We are called to take a journey that sometimes feels rocky and steep and hard. God is with us the whole time waiting to reveal himself. 

Today is our adoptive daughter's birthday.  We wish so much that we could celebrate with her in our arms today.  Though we are continents apart and it seems like there is a mountain of paperwork in our way, God is moving in the unseen on our behalf.  I believe!

Roller Coaster

Much time has passed since our last post.  I will try and cover the events chronologically.  In mid September, we received what our agency would call a lead referral for an 18 month old little girl named Veronique.  We were so excited to have positive news.  We told our agency to move forward  and sent approval for funds to cover the medical exam.  We were told it would take about 2-3 weeks to get results then we would get an official referral.  Two to three weeks passed and we still did not have any news.  Upon calling the agency, they found a mix up in communication and discovered that Veronique had yet to see a doctor.  So the 2-3 week wait started over.  During our waiting periods, we spoke with the social worker who did our home study.  We were due an update.  She advised for us to widen our age range due to our lead referral. At the time, our range was 0-24 months.  Considering that Veronique was already 18 months, we had to cover for the time that the adoption would take to finalize (6-9months).  On October 22nd, I was remembering my first miscarriage.  Although it had been 3 years, I will still emotional throughout the day.  After work that day, I received a call from my agent.  She had news, but it wasn't good.  We had lost the referral.  Another lawyer from perhaps a different agency had essentially offered the village where Veronique was discovered more money.  I was devastated to say the least.  I was angry. I felt like I was losing a baby all over again.  Why God?  Why would you let us get our hopes up then not come through? Why?    Questions I would soon know the answer to...

About four weeks later, we received another call from the agency.  They had two possible referrals.  One for a girl estimated at 2 1/2 to 3 years and one for a newborn baby girl (d.o.b. 10/25).  Considering that they were at opposite ends of our age range, they called to ask which child we would be interested in. My immediate reaction was BOTH.  Jason and I discussed it and agreed that we would pursue both referrals. We received our official referrals right before Thanksgiving so we were able to share pictures with family.  What a blessing!  For the next two months, we made big plans for the room they would share.  We had presents under the Christmas tree for them.  We waited all of January for their commune papers to come so that we could start the court proceedings.  By February, we had the oldest girl's papers and continued to wait for the baby's.  Then another call came...

About 3 weeks ago today, We received word that the baby's birth mom had shown up to take her child home.  This time a different reaction came.  My husband was blown away by my calmness (which is rare).  I didn't ask God questions.  I had an answer and I needed to accept it...  

I am thankful for this journey that I am on.  God is showing me his great mercy and love every step of the way.  I am finally learning that I have a choice...I have to decide whether I trust God or not.  If I trust Him then I find rest even when my circumstances seem like a roller coaster of events.   God is trustworthy and is faithful to his promises.  He set us on this path over two years ago and I know that He will see us through.  It may not be exactly how I envisioned it to be, but in the end I will not be disappointed.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

"...The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made" Psalm 145:13  

Please continue to pray for our family.  God is good!





 

Waiting for our promise.

Yes....we are still waiting.  Although I have struggled over the past few months, I have comforted myself with the story of Abraham and Sarah.  God promised them a son, and they waited years to see that promise fulfilled.  God had made a covenant with them and God is faithful to his word.  This Sunday as I sat in Sunday school learning about God's tests of faith, I could feel mine growing weak.  I thought to myself maybe nothing is happening because God really didn't promise US a child...maybe I just imagined his stirring almost two years ago.  I believe God is faithful, but maybe I just mistook my emotions for his leading.  I started thinking about the finances and the wait.  Needless the say...I was probably failing this test of my own faith.  As we were walking from Sunday school to morning worship, a couple from our church handed us a card.  I waited until we were outside to open it.  They had no idea of the mental battle that had been going on all morning in my head, but God used them to speak to me.  He whispered...I know what I am doing...trust me...I said I would provide and I am going to.  Because of the wait, some of our paper work is having to be redone.  We have to travel back to Atlanta to redo our I-600a and just received an email today about updating our homestudy.  Both of these things will take time and money, but God has already revealed himself in these situations.  Thanks be to God for his faithfulness and loving kindness.  He is so patient with me in all of my shortcomings.

"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised."  Genesis 21:1

We are still waiting.....

Please keep us in prayer because this has taken much longer than expected. BUT....we feel like something is about to happen. It is all in God's timing.

Just a verse while we wait.....

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are^[a] being renewed every day. ¹⁷ For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! ¹⁸ So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Keep us and the other families that are waiting with us in your prayers.

It's been a while, but we have been busy......

Here is the video from our Both Hands Project. There is still time to donate if you would like and it is tax deductible. Follow this link: http://bothhandsfoundation.org/jason-and-jessica-cardin.aspx

It was truly an awesome day and an awesome experience. Check it out.

We will also be making our final t-shirt order (if we reach the minimum) & coffee order next week (orders must be in on 12-7 or before). Shirts are $15 & coffee is $13. You can view the shirts here: Noelle & Heart of Africa shirts

Just send us an e-mail or let us know. Thanks.

On time God

Who knew that the adoption journey would be filled with so many ups and downs.  There are times that I feel so unworthy of this cause.  Why me?  There are plenty of other people out there with good hearts and/or big bank accounts.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God put adoption in mine and Jason's hearts but as time and circumstances have past I have felt my own faith waiver.  In January, I felt like I was standing on the mountain top as donations and pledges came in...We starting selling Noelle t-shirts. We were going along with full wind in our sails.  But anyone that has been on the pathway of adoption knows that there can be a lot of "hurry up and wait moments".  I knew that God promised to provide, but as I looked at the credit card bill adding up, I started letting doubt and discouragement fill my heart.  Oh how I can relate to Peter...I'm good at getting out of the boat just can't seem to stay on top of the water.  Lately I have dreaded people's questions about the adoption.  I didn't have any news to share and when people would ask, it was just a reminder that we still had a long way to go both financially and legally.  This morning my sister-in-law asked if there was any news and i began to cry saying sometimes it feels like it's never going to happen.  I came home and asked Jason to call the agency to check on the status again although he just emailed them last Thursday.  I was feeling hopeless.  Just like Peter I was taking my eyes off Jesus and was beginning to look at the waves crashing.  I thank God for his patience and loving kindness toward my failings and I'm so grateful that His mercies are new every morning. We know that God is rarely early and never late, but always just in time.  I checked the mail as I was leaving to pick up Cora and saw that we had received a letter from Show Hope.  I called Jason back and said I think we should open this together.  I wasn't ready to take another blow without moral support (note: we had already been denied by another grant organization).  Jason and I prayed a simple prayer as we opened the letter asking God to help us receive whatever he had in store for us and to trust in His promise to provide.  We opened the letter to find that we had been approved for a grant.  It's not enough to cover the whole adoption by a long shot, but is a step in the right direction.  Thanks be to God for his faithfulness and for the hope that he exchanges for my doubt.  He knew just what I needed and when.  

Lord, help me to trust you more.  You display your glory everyday.  Help me not to miss it!

He "bestows on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair."  Isaiah 61:3

4th of July

Hi All,
Jessica and I will be set up at the Fourth of July Celebration in Etowah tomorrow. We will have all three t-shirt designs for sale and will be taking orders for any color you want that we do not have "in stock". We will also be distributing information on the issues affecting the Congo through www.raisehopeforcongo.org. Part of the Enough Project.

If you have purchased a shirt from us, we would love for you to send us a picture of yourself wearing it or wear it tomorrow, come by the booth, and we will take the picture for you. We hope to gather all these pictures and make a collage for Noelle to give her one day (probably when she is a little older) to show her all the people who were a part of her adoption.

Process Update: Our dossier is all but complete. We had our fingerprinting last Friday and once we receive our approval from USCIS it should be ready to send to the DR Congo for their government to review. Also, we were denied for our first grant request but we are awaiting word from two others and will be applying for a fourth this week. We appreciate everyone's prayers.  Once we receive our official referral, we will continue our last half of '90 Days for Noelle'.

Status Update

Status Update:

Well, I know it has been a long time and I apologize. We have been completely swamped with life the last couple of months. For some reason I assumed that we had a spare five minutes in our daily routine and have returned to school full time. Things are starting to calm down a little, now that Jessica is out for the summer. Her schedule has opened up a lot and I am starting to balance out the school schedule.

Now about the adoption process. We are making progress:

• We are currently working on our dossier. This is a package of documents that has been requested by the Congolese government. We should have all of these accumulated in the next couple of weeks with the exception of our USCIS approval (I will mention that in another bullet).               **If anyone is a notary in our area and would be willing to swing by my work to notarize something, it would be greatly appreciated**                  **Also, if anyone knows a way to get a notarized proof of residence, let me know. We are having a little trouble here as well.**

• We have applied to USCIS (U.S. Customs & Immigration Service) and they have received our application. We are awaiting our appointment to go to Atlanta to have our fingerprints taken. This approval will be what determines how long it takes to submit our dossier.

• The DR Congo is now requiring copies of our passports to go with the dossier, so we have sent to have Jessica's updated.
• We are still awaiting word on grant approval. Please pray that we receive favor.

• The t-shirt fund raiser has been going great and if you want one, please let me know. We are going to have a booth at the Etowah 4^th of July. We will be selling t-shirts and have information raising awareness about the issues affecting the DR Congo. www.raisehopeforcongo.org

• Also, we have started a couple of adoption auctions on eBay. Check them out if you are interested. eBay Adoption Auctions

Thank you for all of your prayers. We are getting very close to the point to getting our referral of Noelle. Once we get the referral, we will complete our 90 Days for Noelle devotional. We truly appreciate all the support we have received and we will try and do better about keeping everyone update about what is going on.

1 Peter 5:9-11

⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
 ¹⁰ In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ¹¹ All power to him forever! Amen.

Website & Fundraising

Hi All,
 We have created a website to expand beyond the capabilities of the blog. We will still continue the blog but have added the website for additional information. You can now check out www.AdoptingNoelle.org to stay connected with our adoption journey. Also, we are beginning our first fund raiser. International adoption is VERY expensive. The cost of agency fees, governmental fees, travel, and etc. are almost overwhelming, but we know that God will provide. We are selling adoption themed Simply Love t-shirts (thanks, Kari). Since we are the first family adopting from the DR Congo to use the Simply Love trademark, Kari from www.mycrazyadoption.org named the DRC design 'Noelle'. The name Noelle actually shows up on the shirt beside the country shape. (You can see the DRC designs on the website) There are 3 different designs to choose from and the shirts look awesome. We are very excited about this. Every penny of the sales of these shirts and any donations will go toward our adoption fees and travel expenses. Jessica and I are advocates for sponsorship of children in other countries. In fact, we currently sponsor two children, one from India and one from the Philippines. It is a wonderful thing, but what is sad is that we will never get to meet these children or see the difference we made in their lives. By supporting our adoption, you will see the fruit of your giving when you meet Noelle for the first time. On the website, choose the link 'SUPPORT OUR CAUSE' for more information. Also, we will be able to apply for grants very soon to help in our expenses so please pray that we find favor with these foundations.

**Also, thank you to all of you who are helping us with our fundraiser. It means more than you know. If you would like to help, let me know and I will get you a brochure with an order form to pass around.** 


In His Service,
Jason

This design is called 'The Heart of Africa' - for ladies only

"The least of these...."

The following is taken from an email sent by a missionary to some fellow DRC adoptive parents-to-be earlier this month. Check out their website & blog at www.preparingaplace.com. It is concerning the the Pygmy people of the Congo. Being at the bottom of the list in the 2nd poorest country in the world is a tough place to be, but these are God's children as we all are and He loves us all the same.

“The least of these My brethren…The least of these My brethren… The least of these My brethren.
I believe the least of these My brethren is an unborn Pygmy girl in the Efe tribe of the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  I do not know her name yet.  According to my research, she has a one in three chance of surviving to five.  She will be pregnant by eight (yes, eight) years old.  If she does not die in childbirth (less than a 1 in 16 chance), she may live between 16 and 24 years (average life expectancy).  In her life she will be subject to rape, murder and cannibalism from rebel armies; HIV and other diseases, malnutrition, parasites.  She will probably grow to only about 4’6”; become a slave or underpaid worker to the surrounding taller people groups; never receive an education; never have an ID (not officially exist); and, never hear the gospel.
Except for the height of this as yet unborn Pygmy girl, can I make a difference?  Can I go there and change what would be her life. Yes.  I leave on Monday (Feb 14).
Why am I drawn to this particular, as yet unborn and unnamed child in this particular tribe? Because, the Lord has called me to the “LEAST of these My brethren” and “further north” and to go “lower still”.  He tells me this over and over and over.  It keeps me focused.
I know of no other people so low.  According to the Pygmy Fund, ‘The Ituri Forest Efé pygmies occupy less than 1% of the land preserved for African wildlife. Their numbers have been reduced over the past 75 years from 35,000 to about 3,000 individuals. ”. “Pygmies are the most ancient surviving human race”.  Over a century ago, there were millions. They are subjected to enslavement and endangered by the destruction of the pristine Congo forest on which their lives depend”. “To this day, there are places where entire pygmy families are naked because they have no clothing”.  Jean Francois Mombia said, “Hunting has become almost impossible, because the animals have become rare, having fled the noise of machinery used by the loggers,” and “Pygmy hunters are often forced to walk for a week before finding game, while their families starve.”
John the Baptist said, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
And James said, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”.  James 2:15-17
“Jean-Pierre Lola Kisanga, governor of Orientale Province, said “…only two out of 1,000 pygmies had access to education”. Marc Mali, of the Pelican Centre NGO, said, “Girls and women are often raped or used as sexual slaves, and they do not resist for fear of being killed,” Sinafasi Makelo, a representative of Mbuti pygmies, told the UN’s Indigenous People’s Forum that during the Congo Civil War, his people were hunted down and eaten as though they were game animals. In neighboring North Kivu province there has been cannibalism by a group known as Les Effaceurs (“the erasers”) who wanted to clear the land of people to open it up for mineral exploitation. Both sides of the war regarded them as “subhuman” and some say their flesh can confer magical powers.  In the Republic of Congo, where Pygmies make up 5 to 10% of the population, many Pygmies live as slaves to Bantu masters.
That is why I want to go to help an unborn Pygmy girl in the Efe tribe of the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.   If you pray and support me, I can do more.  Either way, I am leaving on Monday, February 14, 2011.”

The missionary serves with Iris Ministries in Africa. Please keep him in your prayers as he reaches out to these hurting people. Thank you Adam & Jen for allowing me to share this and God bless you on your journey.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 45

**This will be our last '90 days' post for a little while. Jessica & I decided, because the process is so long we thought it would be best to break it up and take a hiatus. We will continue our '90 Day' prayer focus once we reach another major milestone in the process such as sending in our dossier or once we receive a referral or something along those lines. We will still be making posts regularly but not as part of the '90 Days for Noelle'. We actually will be starting something later this week that you can find out about on the blog, and if you would like to get involved with our adoption, we have some ways to do so. So stay tuned.**

Well, a while back I posted at how I have been amazed by the response we have received from our blog. I am still amazed! Since we began the prayer focus on New Years Day we have had over 4500 different visitors from at least 14 different countries (I can only view the top 10)! For my small mind, those are big numbers. I hope that our blog has been a blessing to you all and that you have learned a little about adoption. I hope that through our posts, that maybe you have looked at yourself and your walk with Christ a little differently. That maybe you see you are part of something bigger and that you become inspired to do something "extravagant" for God. (Thanks, Scott) But most of all, our purpose is for Noelle and we hope that you continue to keep her in your prayers everyday. Today is Valentine's Day. A day to express your love to each other. I have told Jessica I love her, and Cora that I love her, but I have not told Noelle yet so here goes.... Noelle, I love you very much. WE love you very much. I can't wait until the day I can hold you in my arms and tell you that I love you more than you will ever know. Happy Valentines Day, Noelle.

Lord, thank You for loving us like no other and thank You for giving us the ability to love others. We love you Father and we ask You to send our love to Noelle this Valentine's Day. You are love. We praise You for what You are doing in all of our lives. In Your name we pray. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:13

 ¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 44

My pastor's sermon today was about extravagant love.  He began his sermon with a story of a pastor who had a bus ministry and was knocking on doors one day to invite people to church.  At a house three miles from the church, he encountered a young boy.  The pastor asked if the parents were home to which the boy responded that his parents take the weekend off while he watches his little brother.  The pastor told the boys about Jesus and they wanted to go to church the next Sunday.  While at church the eldest boy noticed that they were passing around a plate that people were putting money in.  He didn't have anything to give and felt distraught when the plate passed him by.  After the plate was a few rows back, he got up and asked to see the plate again.  He sat it on the ground and stood in it saying that he didn't have anything to give but himself.  Pastor Scott followed the story with John 12:1-12 which tells of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with oil, washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair.  He talked about our praise having worth.  You are the only one that can give your praise.  I contemplated this a long time today.  I think we all struggle with self worth thinking that we have nothing to give or thinking that what we have is not good enough.  We find our identity in our past sins, hurts, scars.  We have them all boxed up in a "safe" place, but God wants all of us.  As I was at the alter, I kept thinking... "God all I have is broken pieces."  "My righteousness is filthy rags."  "Like the little boy, I don't have anything to give but myself."  I felt like God spoke to me and said that's all I want.  God is the only one that can give us worth because he created us. He paid a high price for us by giving his son to die in our place.  He asks us to cast all our anxieties on him because he cares for us.  He doesn't want us to hold on to old stuff because He wants to make all things new.  God wants us to submit to him and only when we truly surrender do we find peace in our souls.  If I give everything to this great, big God then I don't have to worry or fear because I know He can handle it.  I always wanted someone in my life just to tell me that everything was going to be okay...well...it is.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.

Father, Thank you for faithfulness and  loving kindness.  Your mercy is new every morning.  I praise you for all you have done in my life.  I know that you are at work, preparing me for Noelle.  Continue to make me into the mosaic that you would have me be.  I  love You. Amen.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 43

When I woke up this morning I thought I smelled smoke.  I instantly dismissed it because I always think I smell something.  Jason says I'm like a bloodhound that can smell things from miles away.  As I was washing the dishes, I started hearing sirens and looking out the window I saw a guy directing the firetruck.  I immediately went to look out the back door and saw the neighbors house engulfed in flames.  I panicked because I knew there were at least three young children that lived in the house.  I literally hit my knees on the kitchen floor and prayed for life!  I got Cora dressed and we walked around the block.  Lots of people were standing around watching the firefighters, but I didn't see any sign of children nor ambulances.  Finally I spotted a group of people huddled around watching the house beside a car with the three boys inside.  I was relieved to know that no one was hurt, but felt convicted that I didn't recognize my own neighbor by sight.  I have lived in my house for almost ten years and know that they have lived behind us for at least three.  I have realized many truths today.  1). Stuff is stuff.  Nothing is more important than life.  Yes, it's devastating to lose everything you have, but I can't even imagine if one of those boys had not made it out of the fire.  2). It's a shame that we don't do nice things for the people that live close to us until "something like this happens".  In relation to adoption matters, people talk about how expensive adoption is.  I think to myself... No, it's not cheap, but I could either use the money God's blessed us with to buy more stuff, perhaps a new car, or choose to use it for a meaningful life.  We may not have a crisis in our backyard everyday but there is a crisis going on for someone everyday.  Choose to do something that has purpose.

Mark 12:30,31

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 

Lord, Thank You for keeping your hand over my neighbors today and for helping my eyes to be opened to your truth.  Set us free from the mundane. Give us real purpose and passion for You. We love You. Amen.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 42

I have been asked a few times about an earlier post I made, so i thought i would give a little more information about it. This is a frequent question, "For a country with $24 billion dollars worth of natural resources, why are they the second poorest country in the world?" I think the following video will explain one of the factors a little better than I can. Don't worry, this is not a "cry your eyes out video", but it is very serious. Fix this problem and we could cut back on Kleenex usage from other videos I've seen about the DRC.

Our Noelle is in the Congo and we want her home as soon as possible, but when we take action to reduce the human rights violations taking place there we help to save the "Noelle's" of the future. Orphans are one of the by-products of these mineral conflicts. "No one is asking that you boycott anything, simply that you express a desire to the manufacturers of your electronic goods that you would like to buy a conflict free product when it becomes available". It is easy to do and progress is being made. If you would like more information on this subject, check out www.raisehopeforcongo.org

1 Corinthians 10:26

²⁶The Scriptures say, "The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord." 

God, we pray for the strife in the Congo. We pray that those funding and fueling the conflicts cease. That companies cleanse themselves and that the well runs dry for those that have evil intentions. We pray that ethical practices be used when conducting business in the Congo and that the people cry out to you, Father. Bless those who are taking responsibility to do what is right. In Your name we pray. Amen. 

90 Days for Noelle - Day 41

On the phone with my mom tonight we were discussing my nephew's growth spurt and his soon need for a new car seat.  His current one had been Cora's and I was quick to offer another hand-me-down for Logan.  My mom chimed in saying, "it won't be long until you will need this little one back for Noelle".  The conversation continued with my mom and I talking about Noelle's name.  Mom had been telling a lady that she worked with named Noelle that her new granddaughter was going to have her name.  It felt so reassuring as my mom naturally spoke of her grandchild to be.  I have read endearing testimonies, but also horror stories of family reactions in various books and articles.  I am blessed to have the assurance that my little one will be loved and accepted in our family.

Colossians 2:2

² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

Lord, We thank You for your blessing of peace and assurance.  You were rejected so that we would be accepted.   We praise You for your unfailing love and mercy.  Knit us together in unity, Father.  We love You.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 40

We finished our last Hague class today. All we need now is the certificate and our part of the homestudy will be finished. We will just have to wait for the actual homestudy document to be completed by our social worker. The classes were not difficult but very informative and usually leave me thinking. Our final class was on being a "conspicuous family". So, what does it mean to be conspicuous? It means that your family stands out. It means that your family is different. The class was referring to our child having a different ethnicity than Jessica and I do. But I want us to be a "conspicuous family" in a different way as well. I want us to stand out as a Christian family. As we discussed tonight while studying 'Crazy Love', we don't want to be lukewarm. We want to be sure we are doing all that God wants us to do and we want to raise our children to love God as we do. When people give us those extra long looks because we are conspicuous. When they stare because they see we have different colored skin from each other. I hope they see our love for each other and when they look away, they don't remember the physical differences we have, but remember us as being a very "conspicuous" Christian family.

Psalm 4:3

But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

Lord, let us be a family noticed because we love and serve You. When people say things to us that could be hurtful, let us always respond as You would have us to. Let our children learn from us as we honor You. In Your name we pray. Amen

90 Days for Noelle - Day 39

Well today has been an encouragement. We have been pondering over a decision in our adoption and today, God opened doors for us. Thank you so much for the prayers we have received because today we saw answers. This is a very hard post for us because we can't say what we want to. I will elaborate more in the future but for now all I can say is... thank you. The day started with struggles and less than encouraging words from others about our adoption, but at 5:00 I received a call that gave us the "sign" we were looking for. On top of that, we received information that confirmed to us that God had shown up during that same call. It is so funny how God handles us when we face things in our lives. We look for answers, exhausting all of our human means, trying to make something happen. While all the time all we really need to do is to slow down, step back, and let God handle it. Twice in the past week or so I have talked with other Christians about problems in their lives and told them, "it will happen in God's time". I think God gave me these words to say so that I could hear it myself. I know it's another short one but, if I keep talking I will say too much. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Jeremiah 33:2,3

² “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Father God, we thank You for hearing our prayers. We praise You for showing up in our times of need. We love You, Father. Thank You for leading us in this adoption. We depend on You for all things and above all we give You thanks. Amen.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 38

Well, I am exhausted tonight and don't really know why, but I know I need to get some sleep so I will be short. As I think about sleep, I think of Noelle in an orphanage. I wonder what the conditions are. I wonder how crowded it may be. I wonder what kind of "bed" she is in...Recently, I was doing some research on the DRC and found a picture online from Life magazine of some toddlers sleeping in a Congolese orphanage and I wanted to share it with you. I can imagine my Noelle laying there and it breaks my heart....    Goodnight, Noelle.

 

Proverbs 3:24 

²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 

God, as we lay down to sleep tonight, we pray for Noelle's rest. We ask that her sleep be sweet. That all the children in her orphanage rest with peace. You are peace and we love You, Father. In Your name we pray. Amen.

90 Days for Noelle - Day 37

Cora came home from school this week with a drawing she had made.  The picture consisted of five people so I asked her who they were.  I figured her daddy and I would be in it or maybe her nana as usual.  Cora started on the right naming her best friends, Jude and Lyla, then came to Lyla's baby brother, Blaine.  Next was Cora.  I asked who was on the left. Cora (with that duh look on her face) said "Noelle".  A lot of people ask me how Cora is handling the adoption.  Well...I would say just fine.  Noelle is already a part of our daily lives in prayer and conversation.  We think of her daily and ask God to keep her safe.  We anticipate her homecoming, longing to lavish her with hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy.  And I know that Cora looks forward to being the "big sister".

Psalm 86:4

⁴ Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
   for I put my trust in you. 

Lord, We trust you to bring Noelle home to us.  Grant us peace along the journey.  Help us to not grow weary, but to wait on You.  We love You and praise your name.  Amen.