Adoption Update

Many of you have emailed, anxiously waiting with us to see if anything has happened with the adoption. We were told the process would be "simple," once we received our permanent visa...I'm wondering if that has another significance in Portuguese?! Mike's visa was approved in October, but not posted until December....by the time we knew about it, the guy at the police station was on vacation for a month so we had to wait for him to return to print the document. In the meantime, the judge went on vacation and didn't get back until January 17th. As soon as he returned, we discovered that the social worker we had been working with for 16 months...WAS ON VACATION! We were strongly reminded again that God's ways are not our ways! :) We know He is in control and His plans will not be thwarted. We are embracing what He has for us in this moment, grateful that we have the opportunity to enjoy this time with the kids. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! :)

New Strength

Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 28-31 New Living Translation

2010 was definitely a year of waiting on the Lord for us. I have felt "tired and worn out" many times but am so thankful for the assurance that my God is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth! He hears the faintest cry of our heart and responds with exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. The last nine months as instant parents of three adolescents have been the most challenging and rewarding of my life. I praise God that He chose us for Ben, Jenna, and Lindsay's forever family!

The judge returns from vacation on January 17th and we hope to meet with him to obtain legal guardianship for the adoption. Please continue to pray for God's favor with the judge as we take the next step in this process!