a couple things

  I wanted to share that Paypal is offering to match 1 % of all donations to charitable events now through the 31st! How awesome!! Organizations must have a 501(c)3 to qualify. A few favorites of ours HeartCry Missionary Society, Gospel for Asia, Lifesong for Orphans, and Sole Hope. Or, if you're interested in supporting 'locally', the MICAH Fund is also qualified and can be designated to support our adoption. So, make the most of this offer and support where the Lord would lead. We certainly are going to.
  ... have you heard about the law passed in Russia? President Putin signed a bill that includes measures to ban all Russian adoptions by Americans. Heartbreaking to think of, especially after reading about the conditions in orphanages there. And the families that are in the process of bringing their children home... Much prayer is needed for all.
  It's disheartening to hear the callous responses to the news. People stating this is a good thing, now we (Americans) will start taking care of "our own", adopting domestically instead. Or the only reason adoption from Russia is popular is because the children will be blonde and blue eyed. So wrong.  Judgement should not be passed on what the Lord's will is for an adoptive family. Just as He ordains what child is born into a family, He does for a child that is adopted. If the child He has for a family is across the ocean, then we trust in His perfect plan. The other argument falls through as well; American international adoptions are mostly from China followed by Ethiopia.... definitely not seeking blondes and blue eyed babies from those areas of the world.
  After hearing these responses, I remembered a story by an adoptive parent. They had been questioned why they went so far away to adopt when there are many children in the U.S. that need a home. He asked the questioner if her convictions about American children had led her to do anything about the need. She dropped the issue after responding "no".  If we belong to the Lord, we have a heart for the things He does. Orphans- no matter if they are born in the U.S., in the foster system or a distant land. How we demonstrate His love will look different for each of us. But they all have a need and we all can bring it before the Father who created them and loves them more than we can imagine. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son..."

wait for it

Waiting once you have been matched.... it's still waiting, not quite so, hmmm... sanctifying, but it is still waiting.

We're getting the last details ready around here. The little pops of gender appropriate color in the nursery, new carseat cover finally sewn, newborn clothes unpacked and waiting to be washed. Still thankful for the time for lots of prayers for all involved. Sometimes it helps to read what those that are past the waiting period are up to. I came across this post on Give1 Save1. This family was once featured and she posted this to encourage those who are still waiting. I wanted to pass it along to those of you who are waiting on the Lord.

"and the Lord answered me. Write the vision, make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time, it hastens to the end- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not delay."  Habbakkuk 2:2-3

By...

This stuck with me all day after hearing it in church service this morning.

"By repentance, we cast away our weapons of rebellion; and by faith, we give and devote ourselves to Jesus Christ as His peculiar people." 

And to that I add, by grace you are saved.