Changes...

I have been working on this blog for well over a week, trying to find the right place to begin. A very wise friend gave me some great advice - start here. And so, here it goes. With no real place to begin, but a whole lot to report...

As many of you may already know, our family began a journey last year (March 25, 2007 to be exact) to bring a new family member home. We began our adoption journey with many questions - where should we adopt from? how old? a girl or a boy? After months of talking and praying, we began our journey towards a Chinese adoption. After a year of waiting and a long road ahead (many estimate a Chinese adoption could take 3+ years), we began researching other options. Not that we just can't wait, that isn't it. We just feel there are so many children in this world waiting for families NOW and we are more than ready. We feel drawn to do what we can today. And so here we are, at a new crossroads, overjoyed with excitement for what is to come.

Our journey has led us to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I should say God has led us to the DRC. I met someone briefly who is a friend of a friend and her story pulled at my heart for over a month. After not being able to shake the thought of the children in the Congo, I contacted the agency. A few days prior to my phone call, an 18 month old little boy was found, abandoned in the streets near death. When she asked "would you be interested?" the only thing that came to mind was - of course. It felt so natural and instant I knew God was finally leading us to where we were meant to be all along.

I am writing all of this background, for a few reasons. First, it helps me feel like it is real. After almost 3 weeks, we still know little more about Josue. Due to many factors of daily life in the Congo, information travels slow. The wait has been exciting, hopeful and down right agonizing at times. We hope his medical information is good and the government moves our paperwork quickly, but until then, we wait.

The second reason I think all of this is important is because it truly shows the awesome power God has in our lives. Just when we think we've got things covered, He steps in and reminds us that we have little control. For those of you who know me well, I have a real problem with this (stop laughing!). I like my world neat and tidy. I like my events planned and orderly. This process has made me stop so many times and remind myself, life isn't always neat and tidy and that is the beauty of it. I am striving every day to loose more control and as the cheesy song goes "let Jesus take the wheel".

Lastly, change is so central to all of our lives, but oftentimes we complain about the changes that become pivotal moments. I am encouraged to flow like water (as Tim would say) and enjoy all of the changes in my life. From the most miraculous and monumental to the minor and mundane. Change is painful, wonderful, beautiful and scary and I love all of it.

There is the story in a nutshell. And I think a great place to start. Please pray with us for Josue and the other children at the Jamaa Letu orphanage. Pray they are safe in a country of so much strife. There is conflict and war in so many parts of the world, but as we have learned, Africa, especially the DRC, suffers greatly. We are not all called to adopt, but there is so much that can be done to educate ourselves on the plight of children worldwide and act in whatever way we can.