Disappointed, but Good

We had been informed late last week that China would be releasing information for children with special needs today; however, we found out tonight they released very few children, so we were not matched.  We are praying they begin to release the information as quickly as they had been doing a few months back.  To be honest, we were a little disappointed...but count on Him to brighten the day with His work.  In the mail this afternoon, was a letter from Show Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman's foundation for assisting orphans) saying we were a recipient for their grant. We had completed the grant process in October, so we were not thinking we were a strong consideration. God is clearly working out the details and timing, not us (though we try to take on that role even though we know better!). We are so grateful for God's provision through Show Hope!

Our Journey to Maren

For some of you this will be a review, for others a summary of the past few months/years.  We have had the desire to adopt since we were first married. God's orchestration of the details and timing have come to fruition this summer.  We kept feeling the Holy Spirit prompting us to pursue adoption more readily the past 2 years.  We spoke with various adoption agencies, prayed as a family, and then sat back for months at a time.  We have cycled through this several times.  However, this past summer it seemed as though God was almost shouting at us to move forward (through fervent prayer, Matt Chandler's study of Philippians, and time in God's Word).  We began the application process for bringing home our daughter, Maren, on July 14th. We actively watched as God orchestrated our path for China's Child of Promise program. We feel God has moved us to parent a child with a special medical condition. With this will come blessings and challenges. This will not always be easy, but with God in charge...all will be well.

Fast forward 5 months: we have completed countless forms, medical exams, the home study, and all our paperwork was sent to China on December 22.  We were informed this past week that we should receive our referral for our daughter soon.  At that time we will have less than 72 hours to review her file, have physicians review her file, and complete the necessary paperwork.  As this time approaches, we would appreciate you praying specifically for us to have clarity, peace, and emotional strength to follow God's will.

Please continue to pray for Maren's well-being, that she would be loved on, fed consistently, and cared for in a timely manner.  Please pray for her nannies in the orphanage to be strengthened and encouraged in their work. Pray most of all that God will be glorified and honored in this adoption journey.

Michelle and Danial