9index

Day by Day

If you return to the Main Page, we hope that you will sign our guestbook. We hope to share the encouragement and kind words with Maria someday.

2/15/2006 Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Mark kind of suggested that verse this morning to me when he broke the news that since we are waiting for a new birth certificate still (which we thought we had) that we are not in preapproval or family court yet. Basically we are still in square one. (We also found out that it was a miscommunication with the lawyer and the orphanage director, as well as an assumption from the lawyer that it would be here already.) So it isn't really a setback in our process...we just never left the gate. It is a setback though in our thought process and obviously our spirit a little. It is quite disappointing to feel like you have gone backwards, even if you haven't. And to realize that the time you thought you might get your daughter is that much more delayed. I would be lying if I said we weren't disappointed. I asked Mark is he was sure there wasn't a verse on torture (trust me, I have these human thoughts). He brought this one up instead. So I am asking you to continue to pray, not for preapproval which would be IMPOSSIBLE since we aren't there yet, but for that new birth certificate to come in the next few days so we can start. Please unite with us in prayer on this one. We cannot control the Guatemalan registry...but God can move mountains. Even birth certificates.

Also, there was apparently a glitch with the guestbook, but it is working now. If you are visiting, please sign and let us know. You have no idea the encouragement it is to us.

Praying that tomorrow is a better day...

2/16/2006 Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." This verse has been swirling around in my mind all day. We have gone through the whole series of emotions (denial...Are you sure she doesn't have her new birth certificate?, anger...God, are you toying with me?, sadness..."But, God, we thought we were close to bringing her home", not so much the bargaining, what can we really bargain God for?, and acceptance. Thus the verse. God knows. He knows the right time for Maria to come be a part of our family. And He knows each step she needs to get here. And He will reveal that in His timing, not ours. Acceptance doesn't necessarily mean liking it, but it does mean trusting God to do what is best for our "future and our hope".

Tomorrow is Friday. Then the weekend comes. We call Saturday "Stay at home days", which are Lauren's favorite. We both are such homebodies, we like just being at our home. And if we get a little snow, that would be fun too. But as much as I like weekends, there is a little sadness to them. That is two less days anyone is working on our case in Guatemala (releasing a new birth certificate for example :). Such is life!

Not much more to say. I am emotionally wiped out from this roller coaster ride. Of course, I don't dare get off...I know that in the end, we will experience one of God's greatest blessings. Please pray for our endurance on this roller coaster ride. Please pray for the golden ticket to appear soon (otherwise known as a NEW certified birth certificate, so we can do a NEW authenticated POA). And please pray for our little Maria. We pray each day that God is protecting her from illness. That she is developing appropriately (especially verbally) for her age. That God's hand will be a protection around her. That God will bless those working with her each day. That God is preparing her for our family, preparing her heart to come home with us. And most importantly, praying that He is preparing her heart to trust Him someday, which is obviously what we desire for all of our children.

Thank you again for your prayers and sweet comments in the guestbook. We keep on trucking!

Other Day by Day Entries

2/17/2006 Well, the site and I are battling (and I am losing). It seems to have "eaten" this entry, then won't let me in to edit. So here is a "recreation" of Friday's entry. Some changes have been made since I don't remember everything I said...

Ezekiel 34:26 "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing." Even though this week hasn't been quite the week we hoped, we still have had showers of blessing rain down upon us. Like the beautiful snow last weekend we were able to enjoy but didn't take away from our school days. Or Hunter (finally!) learning to tie his shoes. Or the giddiness of Lauren and Hunter on Valentine's Day to find their Valentine gifts outside their door. Or the joy and relaxation of visiting with my co-workers as I caught up on paperwork while my intern did her "solo week". (next week too!) Or the beautiful smelling bouquet of white lilies and tulips from my beloved. Or the surprise "refund" check from our insurance company. Or the well-timed Parents' Night Out at church that allowed our children to have fun with their friends while Mark and I enjoyed a yummy meal and some alone time. And the 70 degree weather we had during the week, juts like spring. And of course the reminder that we hae a beautiful daughter waiting for us in Guatemala...So many blessings. Thank you, God!