Happy Dance

 I couldn't help myself with this picture!

I was too giddy for words last night. A little after 5pm our family coordinator from America World called to inform us that she registered us with the online database in India and we are now officially waiting for a referral. We could get a phone call today (highly unlikely but still...) That is just crazy!

The wait for a referral will most likely be a long one. There is just no telling what the time-frame looks like from here on out. It is a bit odd because we went from knowing the steps and how long each step would take to being in limbo. After talking with other moms adopting from India this is how things seem to pan out until the day we get word to travel. So I am rejoicing in the moment and praising the Lord that he has brought us this far. He has used you, your prayers, your giving, and your encouragement to sustain us and prepare us to bring home our little girl.

Dear friends and family, rejoice with me today because this is a major step forward. The reality of seeing a picture of our daughter drives me to work even harder to get her home. The next phase in our fundraising is actually raising money toward our travel costs. This is where it gets exciting folks. Just the thought of applying for visas and buying plane tickets brings tears to my eyes. It's getting real.

Setback

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." - Psalm62:5-8

The truth of those verses has become the focus of my prayers lately. I am sure this will not be the only setback we experience in this journey but Jon and I found out some incredibly frustrating news this past week concerning our adoption plans. The India program has been temporarily closed. Just typing those words makes a knot form in my throat. Now thankfully that news is by no means an end in our journey. From what I have been told, the program could re-open as soon as February 2013 but there are no guarantees. So...we continue to wait.

There were many tears, conversations, and prayers following the unexpected news. Was this a closed door? Would I choose to believe that God's hand was moving despite the current setback? Would I see this obstacle as a way for my faith to be grown and challenged or a chance to complain and become bitter? Would I choose to praise and thank God in the midst of something I didn't understand? Now that we are a few days out I am able to see things more clearly and pray without tears.

We do not feel as if this is a closed door, although we will continue to pray for the Lord to make his will clear and we agree to walk in obedience. We sense that this is all part of the Lord's plan and that there is a real reason behind the delay. I may not know this side of eternity why after being so close to turning in our application that the program has closed but I will praise God in all things. We still see the Lord fanning the flame of India in our hearts. I don't think it was an accident that my aunt invited two complete strangers to our family Thanksgiving dinner, one of whom was of Indian descent. Nor do I think it was by chance that we found a crazy connection with a sweet Indian family my parents visited on their most recent trip to India. God is speaking. His hand is at work and although I don't understand his ways I will walk in simple faith.

May I trust You at all times! Thank you God that, despite changing circumstances, you remain the same.