Adoption update. . . . is it like #4652?

Hello friends! Here we are, on the ride of adoption. It has just intensified. We have spent the last couple of weeks, praying fervently for two things- the birth mom that we have been matched with and all the orphans in Haiti. It has been daunting at times, for as we all know, where our hearts are focused in prayer- we get attached to as well. SO, it has been a journey. I have been reminded over and over of James 1:27

"27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I don't, by any stretch of the imagination, claim to be "pure and faultless." However, I do strive to love the things my Father in heaven loves. I do long to connect to His heart, by connecting myself to the things that he is connected to. It have become clear to me, over and over, that the Lord loves those who are suffering. He heard the cries of the Israelites when they were in slavery, he heard the cries of David throughout the Psalms, and He heard the cries of Stephen right before he was stoned to death. The Lord is SOOOO present in the midst of our suffering. He heard my (and John's) cries when Benjamin was born and we were so sick. He heard our cries when Samuel was so sick. He has heard our cries for the next member of our family as well.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:3-8 (italics mine)

I am no great biblical scholar, but I know this beyond a shadow of a doubt. The Lord is with those who suffer. He is with the babies in Haiti and he is with our birth mother. She is doing something great- something amazing, and she will suffer at some point for it. Her heart will ache. My heart has ached in the last several weeks. But, the Lord is good. And He is with us.

Be praying for us in the next week. The birth mother has arrived back in the Wichita, KS area and is finishing the last steps to prepare for this process. Her due date is January 27 (that's this Wednesday!!!) and we are getting prepared to head to meet her as soon as she and we are ready. Whenever we get a call that the baby is coming, we will load up in the van and get ready to welcome our baby sister into the world! Thank you so much for being a part of this. We are beyond grateful.

Please continue to say a prayer for us- we are $4000 short on the final bill. It seems like nothing since the Lord has provided so much already, but it is still such a large amount of money. Pray with us that the Lord would provide. There is a donate button on the side of the blog and we are so very grateful for anything you can contribute! Either way we'll keep you posted on every step of the journey and how it all works out!