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| 7/31/2006
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Farewell, July! Can you believe it is over? I feel the sands of my summer vacation slowly falling away into the bottom of the hourglass. *Sigh* (I LOVE my job, I just really enjoy the freedom of summer vacation�) I have to say, this morning, I was feeling a little down. It seems like Maria is SOOO close to us but we just can�t quite reach her. I just ache for the phone to ring to tell us to come get her, but I realize we are probably still a few weeks away from that. In His usual fashion though, God renewed my strength today. I went to the mailbox to retrieve the mail and found 3 large envelopes. Envelope #1: A security blanket very similar to one we had taken to Maria on our visit trip. I have searched stores for it, couldn�t find it, tried bidding on one on e-bay�lost that one. Then somebody e-mailed me to tell me they had one in their e-bay store. I was able to purchase it right away, no auction. It arrived today. I don�t know if it is something Maria will want or use, but it was just another reminder to me that God is in the details. Envelope #2: A gift from a dear friend I take Master�s classes with. I don�t know if I am more touched by the book (I Love You Like Crazy Cakes) which is about international adoption or just by the fact that this friend has had a whole lot of stuff in her own life, and she still found the time to think of us. Thank you, Terri. May God continue to shine upon you! Finally, envelope #3: the final documents for our adoption. These are the forms we will carry to Guatemala to the US Embassy to complete the Visa process to bring Maria home. It is funny, opening up that envelope and seeing that paperwork, it started to feel �real� in a way it hasn�t before. Oh, we also got the sweetest teddy bear with it, a �beanie� sort of bear. I had been searching for just the right one to take to Maria. (When we visited last time, she was quite taken with Lauren�s little trinkets and toys.) This bear was just right. I don�t know about you, but I am thankful for a God who cares about the details. We continue to pray for His timing to get that �pink� call, but in the meantime, He shows Himself over and over again. Thank you, Lord. And thank you, friends, for being here with us. |
| 8/1/2006
Happy August! Can you believe it is August already? That means we are 3/4 of the way through 2006! Wow! I have been working in my classroom this week trying to get it ready just in case we get that phone call. I am just relying on my favorite verse tonight from Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." I wish I could say waiting is getting easier. It isn't. I just ache to hold Maria in my arms, to tell her how very much we love her and have waited for her. Yet, the phone is silent...no pink as of yet. I really shouldn't hope for it...it will come in God's time. We are just so ready...or at least think we are. :) Well, I must admit, I had almost given up hope for my little "renewing of strength" today. I hadn't experienced any of the blessings or reminders of Maria I have grown to treasure. Then this afternoon I got a picture from an Internet friend. She is adopting a little boy from the same Hogar that Maria is in; she just returned from visiting him. (Julie, my heart aches for you...it is NOT easy to leave.) While she was there, she took a picture of Maria (see the bottom of this page). Maria was tired and ready for a nap, but it wasn't quite naptime. We are very familiar with that thumb in the mouth, the finger on the nose, and the little tears in the eyes. I think we both wanted to scoop her up and hold her close and wipe the tears away. Anyway, it was such a treat. Thank you so much, Julie...it was sorely needed today! I learned from my money-smart sister that I can go to the bank and request new bills. So that is one of my many missions tomorrow. One of my friends, Katie, wore pink today for us...wasn't that sweet? It didn't happen (the pink) but it did make me smile. That is worth a lot. :) Okay, I am rambling. I better go. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week! I will be back tomorrow night (God-willing) with another entry... |
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