Paperwork and the High Dive

Well, our paperwork for Asher's adoption is officially O.V.E.R!!!!

We, along with 33 other families, had our swearing in ceremony at the Consulate at 3:30pm today!! The room as just as we remembered from last time...HOT and full of parents and irritated children :)

We got to meet families from all over the USA. It's a rare thing to be in a room full that of that many families who look just like us! It's the rare meeting where people don't stare at your kids, ask if they are "yours," or think, "how many kids do they have?!"!!! HA!

We took our oath and Asher was so excited about it he slept through the entire thing. I guess he believed us when we said we'd never abandon him, that we'd take care of him, and that we hadn't lied on any paperwork! The lady said, "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" and we all cheered!! All we have to do now is wait for his visa to be placed in his passport and we are OUT.OF.HERE!!!

So in true "american" style, we celebrated with Mexican food!! Us and two other families loaded up in 3 taxi's and feasted on tacos, fajitas and nachos! YUM. The two families that we went with both adopted "older" children (Mia is 8 and Miranda is 6). They are both so beautiful and are being loved by some amazing families.

What a blessing to be able to fellowship with these mama's and daddy's....there is an immediate bond, first because of Christ, but then because of the way we are building our families. There have been times on this trip all I have done is look at one of these mama's and tears just flow. You don't even have to say a word, you just know.

This road is hard, folks. HARD. Worth it? absolutely.
Do it all over again? In a heartbeat.
But it's still HARD.
Me and one other mama were discussing obedience tonight. Something that if you've read my blog for long enough, you know I've talked often about. This mom is 45 years old. Her children are almost raised. God called them to adopt. She was caught off guard. Had her retirement planned out. Still, she and her husband knew. She said, "I just could not stand before the Lord one day and tell Him, Lord, but that wasn't my plan! I'm sorry, Lord, I just couldn't do it." They have gone through some serious stuff on this trip with their new daughter. It's not my business to say what, but suffice to say....HARD STUFF.

Being obedient is hardly ever easy. I'd almost say it's never easy. Whatever it is that's getting you out of your comfort zone, out of the shallow end, and up to the high dive of trusting God, it's not easy!!!! Especially when Satan is whispering in your ear, "you can't do this...you aren't strong enough....God cannot be trusted...the water is too deep and you'll be all alone...."

Can I just tell you, I've been there this week. And what do you do when that's in your ear...get your sword!

"They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep."

Psalm 107:23-25

 

 

Can I just tell you there are things you will only experience in the deep waters with the Lord! Yes, it is true, the waters are not crowded. I've lived most of my life in the shallow end. Tons of people there. Lots of fellowship. Families like the ones I've met through this experience are living their lives in the deep waters. It's not easy. It can seem very lonely. But the Lord will give you people who will not only hold your hand as you jump, but also cheer you on as you wade through the depths of what God wants you to experience in this place. It's not all about adoption. All of us have something the Lord has asked us to do. It's getting to the place where we follow even when we can't see even a speck of light at the end of the tunnel. And you're scared. And the world looks at you and says, "huh?"

 

And you move forward anyway. Scared to death. God can handle that!!!!

 

(believe me on this one....I know what it's like to just "do it scared.")

So is it worth it??? Jumping off that high dive? "With no swimmies on?" 


What do you think??