Worship in the Wait

Waiting.

Still waiting.

One of our consistent prayers throughout this adoption has been, “Please keep us patient while we wait.” It’s hard to wait especially when we have no idea how long we will wait. There is no due date in adoption. Pregnancies are pretty standard- 9 months give or take. There’s nothing definite about an adoption timeline- and there's no end in sight for us.

We’re in good company. Currently, we have friends waiting to hear if their match to two sweet boys has been approved, so they can fly out to meet them and hopefully bring them home soon. Other friends are waiting for their first court in India. Yet another family- their wait has ended! This sweet family had waited for over two years to travel and bring home their two sons, who have been legally adopted, but were “stuck” in country until today. Today is their GOTCHA DAY. I'm still in shock that they met their sons today. What a joy! Yes, their wait finally ended! One prayer request turned praise. Thank you, Jesus!

A few week ago, an old song about waiting came to mind. These lyrics have transformed my prayer for our waiting period:  

“Help us to worship while wait;

help us to serve while we wait.”

 I don't want to just be passively patient. It’s so tempting to daydream about out little daughter. How much has she grown? What does her hair look like now? Does she smile? How does she play? But when I get caught up in the family we could have one day, I miss what’s happening in my family today. Blaire’s growing in her understanding of the gospel and her desire to pray for others- today. Brooks is exhibiting his lack of self control and inability to hear “no”- everyday! I have plenty of opportunities to wait and serve while I wait for that third sweet baby.  I want my hope to stay holy, and I need God's help everyday to keep that perspective. 

Our next court hearing is March 30- just days from now, so please join us in prayer. Pray that the judge had all his questions answered since our first court 45 days ago. Pray that he will rule it’s time for this baby to go to her forever home. And pray for us to remember that the true Judge is totally sovereign and He has the perfect timeline for our Indian daughter. He sees and ordains the end of our adoption timeline. And one day, we will praise Him for bringing her home!

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord

And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord

Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord

And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord

Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait

Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race even while I wait

I will move ahead bold and confident

I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

And I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You Lord

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

By: John Waller

One down... ? to go....

David and I have been on a social media hiatus, but we wanted to break that to update you on the decision of our first court hearing.

First of all, I was overwhelmed by the amount of prayer support we have received! I was in shock about how many of you marked your calendars and asked for prayer cards. Thank you. We are so deeply grateful!

Our case was not approved this first time and is pending further scrutiny. Our second hearing will be March 30. This is very typical- the court process is very long and can take 4-9 months. We've only been at this for two months, so we cannot complain. But, we do yearn for our daughter and can't help but feel disappointment that we won't be traveling to bring her home in March.

We know God is sovereign and He is *GOOD*. I'm so thankful that in my Bible reading plan today, I "had" to read Philippians 4. Perfect! What an encouragement to rejoice always! What a promise- that we can do all things through Christ- we can be joyful when our prayers are answered right away  and we can rejoice when God says "Wait."

Thank you for praying. Please continue to pray for our little girl in India- that she will knows she is loved and wanted. Pray that she will grow well. And praise the Lord for her orphanage- for feeding and clothing her while we wait.

Melissa

The Wait.

“Adoption is lots and lot of paperwork, then waiting, waiting, waiting…” I chuckled as I heard Blaire summarize the adoption process recently. She has a fairly accurate assessment!

We are so grateful for the interest of many of you- our friends and family. Repeatedly, we are asked, “Any update on the adoption?”. The answer is: YES and NO. We know our first court is soon; however, we do not know when we will be able to travel.

We are in a period of waiting, waiting, and more waiting. As we inch closer to her first Birthday, the reality that she won’t be home with us weighs heavily in our hearts. Our little girl turns 1 next week on February 12. Our first court hearing is three days later, and we are praying earnestly that the judge will have a tender heart toward our case, approve the adoption with little question and allow us to move into the travel stage.

Our prayer request has been huge- we are praying that we will travel to India and bring her home in March!

Unfortunately, we don’t know what to expect. The judge could approve our case, and we’ll be booking tickets to India soon. Or, he could request more information, and we will have to wait another month of two for an additional hearing. The unknown has been difficult. It’s like being pregnant with an indefinite due date. My body isn’t changing, but my heart is exhausted!  

David and I would like to plead with you to mark your calendars on Valentine’s Day (that should be easy, right?) to PRAY. Our court is the 15^th of February in India (convert your time zones!), so please pray for his heart. Pray for his decision. And pray that God will be glorified and we will be joyful whether the judge approves or disapproves our case.

           

The “Girls’ Room” is ready. We cannot wait to fill it.

Eagerly waiting,

Melissa

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

NOC... What?!?

    

I prayed.

She called.

HE answered.

This whole adoption process has been very complicated- half the time I don’t even understand all the acronyms and steps. But, this last completed step has me stunned.

Last Monday (eight days ago- that’s important!!), we received our Article 5 from the US Embassy in India. This allowed us to wait for our NOC (No Objection Certificate). That document allows us to begin the court process, which allows us to TRAVEL, which allows us to bring HER home!

Normally, it takes months between receiving the Article 5 and NOC. According to our official approval guidelines, “Please note that this approval could take anywhere from 3-9 months or longer.” Ours took eight days, EIGHT DAYS!

For some reason, perhaps the Holy Spirit, I prayed that we would receive the NOC this week. And I just received a call. A call that would have no other purpose that to say our NOC was sent.

Why am I surprised? Why am I in shock? Maybe I didn’t believe God could answer that gigantic request. Again, I’m humbled by small faith. And I’m overwhelmed by His grace to overflow His blessing upon our family in spite of this momma’s mustard-seed-sized faith.

“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
 Matthew 17:20

So where are we at now? We are officially in the court process! After receiving verbal approval from the judge, we get to travel to India, meet our sweet girl and bring her home. When? Great question. Here’s what our approval timeframe says:

“Each judge and court system in India will have varying timeframes for when they schedule appointments and how long approvals take. In most cases the court process lasts 5-6 months. In roughly 25% of cases the court process will exceed this timeline.

In some rare cases, an adoption petition can be reviewed and approved in one court hearing.”

So, guess what I’m praying? Yes, I’m praying we will be that “rare case”. One court hearing and one great-big approval! I can’t wait to tell you’ve when we’ve received THAT CALL.

Until then, we will be transitioning Brooks to a bed, setting "B3" up in Blaire’s room, and quickly restocking our baby girl toys. This to do list is so much better than paperwork!

Keep praying for God to accomplish big things with us

So grateful,

Melissa