“We may trust Him fully
all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly
find Him wholly true.“
Among the many blessings God has poured out on me, one of the sweetest right now is an online group made up of a dozen women. I am getting to watch other families go in to Katie’s former orphanage and claim their children, and that is priceless enough.
But these are Jesus-loving women! What a beautiful thing to see their determined trust in His goodness during an agonizing waiting time. I don’t think I would see it so clearly were I distracted by the suspense of our own adoption process.
Here are just a few stories of how God has been moving in answer to the concerted prayer of thousands of His people…
Last Wednesday, Grace was first to post her big news, and it came before the big meeting in Bulgaria was even underway! Our family has had little Samantha’s picture on our refrigerator for many weeks, and had been praying for her lost file to be found.
In Grace’s words~
“God gave me an answer to a HUGE obstacle. After waiting for about five months for Kami’s file, and being told that I may need to move on and consider other children before my paperwork became outdated, God miraculously brought that little girl’s file to the surface.
I read Daniel 10 over and over again, just as Steph suggested we should. I also spent some time in 2 Kings 6. When I went to bed on Tuesday night, I was visualizing myself and my daughter in a war zone. I imagined us in a protective bubble, aware of the spiritual battle going on around us, but also completely trusting in the power and presence of God and His armies of angels. I fell asleep listening to “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” playing on repeat. I would wake up throughout the night, the song still playing, and tell God that I was trusting in Him for my daughter’s protection. And one hour after I awoke to pray, when I wasn’t expecting news for days, I received the e-mail titled, ‘We have the file!‘
Every time I try to relay this story to friends, I feel like I will never do it justice. I’m not sure anyone could. Because God did what was impossible. There were a couple times throughout this week of praying when doubt would rush over me, and almost squeeze the life out of me. And the father of lies would try to steal my hope. But just as quickly, the GOD OF PEACE would swoop in and restore my peace and trust. It was all so incredibly supernatural. I have never been so sure of God in my life.”
The Sousa-Brown family received their verbal referral for their four children including three from Katie’s former orphanage, Liliana, Sophia, and Butler! We praise God that Sophia, whom I wrote about back in November, was finally registered with the MOJ, just before her time ran out! The Sousa-Browns are now waiting for their written referral, so they can take their first trip to see their little ones!
The Burman family received their verbal referral for Kelten and Teagan! They are also waiting for their written referral, and the next step will be their first trip!
Another family wrote that they were given the signature they needed to visit with their precious little girl for the first time. Her daddy will be leaving to meet her in just a few days. They have watched God meet need after need, and move mountain after mountain in their adoption journey, and once again God provided exactly what was needed!
To top it all off, on this same day, after a longer-than-average wait, the Archer family, adopting Teddy, Val and Steward, received a USCIS officer, and a few minutes later, their officer approved their I800-A application! They will be able to send their dossier to Bulgaria with the next traveling family!
Yesterday, several of the waiting moms, including Stephanie Carpenter adopting Mary, received the exciting news that finally, the official picked up her pen and signed their written referrals! Only two of the families in our little group are still waiting for that signature on their documents!
Friends, I cannot thank you enough for praying! Thank you! Thank you! Praise our gracious God!!
“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
You shall weep no more.
He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.”
