Day 62 of our adoption and spiritual journey

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Today a scripture I really needed was in an email “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3 KJV).  Why did I need this and why this particular email?  Well I am a child of God and God knows me even better than I know myself or am willing to admit.  He knows that right now we who are here in Eastern Europe (EE) waiting on passports are frustrated because the only thing that keeps us from going home are the passports that must be printed by this EE country.  Right now it has been four weeks since a passport was printed and we are told each week they will be printed next week and when that week comes, no passport.  So you see the frustration that many of us are having to deal with.  Also we paid additional money to have the passport print expedited within five working days.  It is going on three weeks now and we still have not gotten a passport for “P” so you see how our frustration can excel to great heights during these trying times.

God I know is helping me each day and he keeps reminding me of the words of his servant Paul, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13 KJV).  And I am also reminded that one night while on a ship that was being tossed about in a very bad storm that had lasted many days, Paul said “The angle of the Lord of whose I am stood before me this night.”  I really like that “The Lord of whose I am!”  Those words alone should make any child or God stand up and praise him because we are HIS CHILDREN!  And he is watching over us and he is protecting us.

You see from the scripture above we need to learn contentment because we have been raised in a Burger King society of have it your way, when you want it and accept nothing less.   But this is not the attitude that God wants us to have.  During the first few days that “P” was with us we bought him some toys and things because he had nothing of his own, because everything at the facility he was in belonged to the facility and was shared by all.  So as we bought these things he began to expect that whatever he wanted we would get for him.  And when we started saying no he began to get angry and pitch his little temper tantrums just like we do when we don’t get our way in society or the world.   We stop and we pitch our temper tantrums, why?  Because of our Burger King attitude, we did not get it our way, our style, color, size or when we wanted it.  God is not pleased with this and when we do God like this, he loves us enough to ignore us until we finally calm down and allow ourselves to finally listen to him. You see God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours.  He will take care of us but we must put our complete faith and trust in him.  Yes sometimes he says yes when we ask, sometimes no and sometimes I’m working on it which means we need to waiting upon the Lord and when we do we shall renew our strength.

Yesterday there were about eleven families that got together at a favorite hot spot for most U.S. Citizens that come here for adoptions.  We met there and had a great time together and yes they are also frustrated with the situation but right now there is nothing WE can do.  But we must put our trust, faith and hope in GOD because He is the only one who can correct this situation.  I am reminded of a song titled “I Will Talk to My Father for You,” and performed by the Nelons, and the words are:

Verse 1: If you’ve got a problem, I'd sure like to share;
There's one special way I can show you I care.
I could offer opinions that might prove untrue;
For the only sure answer, here's what I'll do.

Verse 2: I have never prayed fire down from the sky,
but God saw each tear that ever fell from these eyes.
So if you've got a mountain alone you can't climb,
I'll take your burdens, and I'll make them mine.

Chorus: I will talk to the Father for you, and if I know my Father,
here's what He'll do;
He will lay at your feet all the things you pursue.
It's no bother, for my Father will do it for you.

Please continue to pray for us as we wait upon the Lord to provide for us “P’s” passport so we can come home with our son.  Also remember Kathy, a couple of days ago she stumbled and fell and hurt her knee and it is badly bruised and she cannot stand on it long.  And my ear left ear has been infected from the heat and my hearing aids for the last week but praise God I think it is finally getting well.  I found some drops that I started putting in it and Kathy has been doctoring it and it feels much better today and last night I began to hear, as well as I can, in that ear.  So among the dark clouds there have been some sunshine and we are truly thankful for that.  Praise His Name to God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done!