{Jumping for JOY}

Adoption is lot like a race- specifically hurdles. I remember when I used to run Track in high school. I didn't run the hurdles but always found them fascinating. Run for a couple of strides, prepare to jump, jump over the hurdle, and then do it again and again...

That is what we are going through now. Two weeks ago we came across our first major obstacle. A hurdle that seemed so tall. One that could take us out of the race. A hurdle that could end this adoption. For two weeks we were preparing to jump over it, not knowing if we would make it over or crash and burn.

Well we are over that hurdle. Birthmom is safely out of hiding and is handling the situation with courage and strength. We are overjoyed that she is safe. We know she is getting feed, she has a place to sleep, and that she is safe. Praise God.

Our agency did have a chance to finally talk with her on Thursday, specifically asking if she wants to continue with the adoption plan. And she said YES!! We are Jumping for Joy!!

So now we have jumped over the hurdle successfully and are taking some strides. There are many more hurdles in front of us. But for right now we are resting in the stride. We are preparing to move forward and we are anticipating more hurdles to come. I am just hoping this is the 100 meter hurdle race and not the 200 meters. HAHA.

Please continue to keep us, the birthmom, and the twins in your prayers. We have reached 28 weeks gestation. Praying the twins make it to full term of 37 weeks :)

{Long Week}

It has only been a week since we collided with a bump in the road. Boy, does it seem like forever. My mind is constantly filled with thoughts regarding this adoption. Not a minute goes by without it flooding my mind. That's why this week has seemed so long.

No new updates. We are just sitting, waiting, and resting in the faithfulness of our God!

My thoughts are consumed mostly with praying for courage and strength for the birth mother. That she will find peace as she deals with some difficult things. I pray she takes a step of faith and comes out of hiding. I pray that people surround her with love and encouragement as she must face her past. The consequences are unescapable. And there needs to be consequences. We all need consequences. But I pray she knows that God is with her and with him all things are possible.

I constantly have a battle in my own mind. The enemy tries to fill me with fear. The enemy tries to fill me with doubt. Is it coincident that hours after I finish writing the first chapter of my book (which deals with fear) this situation arises? I think not. It says in the bible that the battle is not here, it is against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Not that I like to think about spiritual warfare, but I do believe it exists. Just because I can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We are not only fighting for the physical life of these twins and everyone involved but more so the spiritual life of all involved.

The cool thing is that this past week I have been putting into practice all the advice and tips I am writing about in my book. What a blessing. Even in the midst of fear (losing the twins), I sing with praise on my lips. I draw closer to my God. I seek refuge in Him. I am resting in the joy of this hard time.

Continue to pray with me. Pray mostly for the birth mom as mentioned above. Pray also for the health of the twins. That God holds them in the womb and helps to grow their precious bodies. Pray that the stress of everything going on does not begin pre-term labor. Pray for the health, rest, and nutrition of the birth mom. Pray for us that we continue to rest in God's loving arms.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

First Bump in the Road

Anyone you have ever been on the adoption journey knows there are always bumps in the road.

Today we just hit our first, and I am sure not our last. Anything can happen until the day of finalization. So do I not talk about the twins in fear of them not becoming ours? Do I not attach myself to them and give them names in fear that something will happen to prevent this adoption? Do I not share my journey because sometimes adoptions don't happen?

My answer: I will lean on The Lord. I will pray for my twins. I will attach to them. I will share my journey. No matter what the outcome is. I trust in my God. I may not always understand his ways or desires his ways but his ways are always the Best for me.

So I sit here in prayer. I can't go into details about what is going on but we were asked "how comfortable are you with moving forward with this birthmom?" All I can do is pray and believe in the truths that God has placed on me. First and foremost, there is nothing of this world that can ever be as rewarding, as joyful, as amazing as being called a daughter of the King. No husband, no child, no money can ever fill me the way the Lord touches my heart. I will stand on that truth.

I will stand on the truth that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me. He goes before me always. If God is for me, who can be against.

I pray that this bump in the road gets resolved and I pray for  it to be quickly. I pray for the birthmom that the Lord fills her with strength and courage. I pray that this doesn't derail the adoption and that the twins will be in our arms in 3 months. I pray that Jason and I stand united as one in prayer, asking for peace, patience, and love. I pray for the health of these beautiful baby boys that God is knitting together in the womb. I pray that they will be warriors for our God.

Will you stand with me in prayer?