Monday, December 13, 2010

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??
 



13 comments:

  1. Definitely a high dive leap of faith! But you are so right...it is worth it! And I know you'd agree, the more you practice swimming in the deep end without floaties, the stronger swimmer you become! Love that God never leaves us alone, but does let us go in the deep end once in awhile! Praying for your last few days in China and hoping you continue to stay healthy. Hugs,
    Petrie

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  2. Agreed. If you read some of my back dated blog entries that is exactly where I was about this WHOLE deal. Thankfully, God gave me the time I needed to secure my trust in Him and His ability in Me to do this work. I LOVE to take the step out onto the stormy waters. It is there that my relationship with Him always becomes deeper and I have testimonies of His faithfulness to share with the world around me. :)

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  3. Anna me too!!! it's addicting to be in this place of totally scared but totally exciting at the same...I'll take it over "normal" even on the hard days!~

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  4. Em, well said. You really could be/should be a writer. Maybe someday! Love you, Jo

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  5. God is so amazing! I am so excited to read every little word of the work God is doing in you and so many others. Oh, how I long to be in a room where everyone "Get's It". Enjoy your last days, and keep posting as often as you can...LOVE IT!!! God is good all the time.

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  6. Amazing Emily! Your blog puts me in a good mood everytime I read it! Thank you so much for being so honest and encouraging! Love ya'll!

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  7. This makes me cry humble, grateful tears, Emily. Every word...so TRUE. So many blessings await the believer who refuses to don her floaties. She is by no means fearless. God can turn that fear into faith with the simple act of obedience. One step of obedience, and you're swimmin'. Might be dog-paddling, and you're probably gonna get splashed in the face a few times; but we can handle that. God is faithful to His promise never to leave us or forsake us.Plus, when God moves in the deep water, the ripples are endless. They go out in all directions, affecting everything in their path. People who never intended to get off their comfy rafts, get interrupted by the ripples. Before you know it, they're inquiring and watching the ripples. And an amazing thing happens when you get back to shore, you are so jazzed about God, you encourage others to step into the deep. You get such a blessing out of leading others to the water's edge. Emily, you are leading so many people to the water's edge. Now maybe they can hear God calling them to join him in the deep. Asher is causing ripples that will continue for years to come. Thank you for your obedience and inspiration to the rest of us. Time so get off the beach!

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing all that the Lord is doing in all of your lives,your testimony is so encouraging.
    Fear not,for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you...For I am the Lord, your God..Isaiah 43:1-3

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  9. So inspiring Emily! God continues to use you in so many ways, ways in which you may never even know. When I read your post, you make me feel so "normal" knowing that I'm not alone. Thanks for being so honest and touching those who may feel the same way or may be allowing Satan to interfere with their obedience to God. Sometimes it is so difficult to say "yes" to God but as you shared what the other mom said, it isn't our story to write, it is God's story, God has already written His story for each and every one of us.
    Praying for you all and the rest of your trip.

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  10. Oh, Wow! Emily! The High Dive...I may have to post my own take on those thoughts. We are certainly in the deep end. It's getting time for fees, and I wonder, "Where will they come from?" And, then you posted the scripture that God sent me to when we waited for PA!

    And, you wanna know a secret. Check out Noah at Small World. How crazy would it be if we requested him, too? I canNOT stand the thought of his file going back to CHina.

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  11. Robbie,
    I'm cheering you on!!!! You go Girl!!! TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!!!

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  12. (One year later...) We are about to JUMP!! Some of the very things you just wrote about have been in my mind recently. thanks for your leadership, and your witness. Jami Butler

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