Silent...

I know I have been silent. I haven't updated my blog in ages.  That is also how I would describe the adoption journey - silent.  I want a word from someone or somewhere, I check my email, my voice mail, snail mail, I just want to know what is going on and I know you do to.  When it comes to adoption, words are in short supply.  In the beginning, you write all your words on multiple pieces of paper and mail it out hoping for words back, but the word back is wait... wait 45-60 days, wait 3 months, wait, wait, wait.  I got to the point where, when I would be asked what was happening, my standard response was, "We are waiting on paperwork" or "We are waiting for a government somewhere to do something."

And then the silence ended... not from our the government, not from paperwork, but God's word spoke.  I was reading in  Psalm 37 and verse 34 washed over me:

Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; 

Wait for the LORD, not wait for paperwork or wait for a government official or the postal service or where ever I would like to place my frustration at the moment but wait for the LORD.  Wait for the LORD because He is good,  He is kind, He is faithful, He is just, He is holy, He is righteous, He is sovereign, He is peace, His word even says that He places orphans in homes, not governments or agencies but God.  He is teaching me to wait with patience and grace and to clear out bitterness before it grows and let grace spring up in its place. I wish I could tell you something, some great update, but nothing has changed.... we watch and wait for the LORD. 

For those of you who need more... we have to be careful about what we share online but here are a few details you can pray for:

• The country we are adopting from has slowed down incredibly.  Our adoption has been completed in the courts, but the country is still processing the necessary paperwork for them to leave the country. We are not the only family in the position of waiting, there are many, many, many families waiting, families with one spouse in country with the children they have adopted, while the other is in the USA. When you pray for us, don't just pray for us, but all these other families that are under the same constraints and many in harder places.
• God has provided financially for all of our agency fees so far.  We still need to raise some money for travel costs. If you would like to help out with this, you can still shop through Amazon and we get a portion of that or you can give through Lifesong.  We are still working towards our matching grant through them and the benefit is your giving is tax-free for you and me.   If you would like to give through Lifesong for Orphans and double your money here is what you need to know:
  • Checks should be payable to "Lifesong for Orphans", In the memo, note "Braddy/#3857", this will ensure that it is credited to the right account.
  • Make checks payable to: Lifesong for Orphans, P.O. Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744
• One of our boys will need some medical care when he gets to the States, you can be praying that God would heal his body and keep him healthy.
• Pray for the transition period.

I can't thank you enough for your emotional, financial and prayer support.  We have been incredibly blessed with a wonderful church family that has supported and encouraged us.