"Any news with your adoption?"
I hear this question a lot. Let me preface by saying that it means so much to our family to have friends who ask us how the adoption is going, how Lilia is, and how we are holding up. We are so thankful not to walk through this alone, but with dear friends and family, who encourage and support us. But I get tired of the answer I have to give again and again, "No, no news." This has been such a difficult ride for Brendan, Emma, and I. It has been so beautiful and encouraging to see how our hearts have expanded towards Lilia, and we love her as much as if she were already with us. She is the family member we pray for at every meal and bedtime. She is the missing link, the completing piece to the puzzle of our family that is missing. We won't be whole until she comes home.
There have been so many prayers, hours and hours of prayers, and many friends and family who have joined us in praying for Lilia to come home. Waiting, hoping, and praying. Yesterday, as I spent time with God, I again began to plead and cry out for our little girl to come home. She has been really sick over the past few weeks with pneumonia (is much better now) and we have been so heartsick that we can't be with her. I was reading Isaiah 55 and verses 8&9 were practically in bold as a read them: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." For me, this is the crux of the matter- I honestly can see no good that comes from this time of increased separation. Lilia has been without a family from day 1, and to make her go a week, day, or hour longer without a loving family when she has one seems cruel of God. BUT- His thoughts are not my thoughts nor His ways my ways. Brendan and I have chosen to cling to the promise that God will work all things together for the good of those who love Him- even when we cannot see any good coming from it. We may never know what the good is, but we know, because we know Him, that He is working for the good. I still can see no reason to be separated from my daughter, but today, in faith, we trust Him. It is not easy, in fact, it is a moment by moment, breath by breath choice and we don't do it perfectly, but we falteringly, stumble into His arms and choose faith. And remember that He loves Lilia far beyond what our frail humans hearts ever could and He is rescuing her and working good in her life.
I'll leave you all with some of my favorite pictures from the past few weeks. PS- You can expect another post once we have travel plans.
(Special thanks to Audrey Ferrel and Jen Boardman who delivered care packages to Lilia and took some awesome pictures of our little lady for us!)
3 comments:
Oh she is gorgeous. Both of your girls are! Your post is so right on. I remember all those same feelings as we waited for Hannah. God's timing is perfect though and you'll be holding her before you know it! Hope you get travel news fast!
Honestly, could your kids be any cuter?!?! Praying along with you for news that you can travel. I know what it is to walk this road and to ponder the same questions in my heart about a (seemingly) pointless separation. Your testimony is an encouragement as we prepare for our referral and wait post-referral.
*hugs*
Missy
Thanks for the update. We will continue to pray for you guys. I bet it is sooooo hard to wait. It is almost like you are at your due date and just waiting and waiting for the baby to come. No woman does well in those last days, so I will really lift you up in prayer! Oh, and I LOVE the pictures. She is so cute!
Libbie
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