Following God

So some of you already heard that our adoption is on hold at the moment.

God has moved mountains, and moved so mightily in both Dan and I's hearts separately and together.
The last week of October we found out that Russia was restricting access into the country for adoptions, and we had to get our stuff in to Russia by November 1. We did everything we could do, but Illinois did not play fair. But, that being said, this adoption road has been filled with bumps and bruises. When we first started we were listening and following God in where He was leading. Through so many turns we went from Country to country, but this time it was clear that now is not the time for us to adopt. It doesn't mean that is completely done, it means its on hold. We trust the Lord that the timing wasn't right.
I went to a women's conference the last weekend in October, and Dan did some solo time with the Lord. Right before the conference the Lord put a phrase of a song in our hearts (song is Blessed be your name) and the phrase was there is pain in the offering, and you give and take away. Wouldn't you know it at the conference they showed a video of some orphans and in the video was a girl dying in her bed, and two guys playing a song over her, and it was the same phrase, with no other phrase playing.
I thought, ok God. I understand. There were many confirmations along the way as I went to a seminar workshop called Barren Womb not barren soul. This was first hard to attend, as there were 3 ladies total along with the teacher. In this workshop we talked about all the passages the Lord was impressing on my heart for the last 3 months, but also added a Psalm.

Psalm 127:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.

What hit me the most with this Psalm, was that not anywhere does it say natural born, or specific to giving birth, or adoption. This was life changing for me as the Lord revealed to me that not everyone can parent thousands of kids and when you get to Heaven, you will see all the kids that call you mom.


All that being said, the Lord confirmed in our hearts that it was time to move. He needed us to sacrifice our desires now for natural kids for His desire for the lost. While our desire for a family is huge, His desire to reach the lost is bigger. So, this is us walking in obedience to the Lord.  God's desire is so much bigger and we are not here on earth for us, we are on this earth to honour and worship the Lord.
He's in charge, so why wouldn't we follow where He says to go, if we don't who would want to be around us... (aka Jonah and whale)

We will be leaving Germany Jan 31st. We are still in need of about 800/month support but we are trusting that the Lord will provide. If He's called us to it, He will lead us thru it.

Last paperwork is sent

So Tuesday I sent the last of the paperwork before we get our referral to the states. I prayed over it, and my friend Evelyn was there when I did it. Now we wait to get a referral. Pray the Lord would reveal the child in HIS timing not ours.
I am nesting, trying to get things ready and fixed before the child comes. The bedroom is on hold until we know the sex of the child. We are praying for a little girl, but we don't know what the Lord is doing.

For now, we are praying and waiting.
Thanks for praying with us.

Hi ho, Hi ho its off to the Consulate we go!

Here we are in the car right before we headed in to turn our paper in. There were no electronics of any kind that you could take in, so we kept them all in the car. This is the lynch pin in the whole thing as this form will go to the Russian Government with our home study to make (Hope Haas) offical when we get there. Basically this form is claiming we are adopting an orphan from Russia. We then can get the passport upon receiving the child. So much paper work its crazy!

Hope we are coming.... in the mean time, we are praying like crazy for you! Can't wait to meet you!

Consulate visit with soap thrown in.

The process is moving. Tomorrow we go to the Consulate in Frankfurt and file a form. The kicker is its 750.00 to give the form. CRAZY! But, its all worth it when we get to hold our little one. We are excited, and feel the anticipation mounting. We are arranging the guest room in our house to make it a child's room. Also paint is going up on the wall, (blue) but with green and other colors. This will make it more child friendly.
Can you feel the excitement growing? I am envisioning being a mom (although technically I am with children in Heaven) and what my day will entitle. I also anticipate people giving me advice, and how I will respond.
Today someone asked about the adoption, and gave Dan a horror story about Russia. While there heart may be in the right spot, its so not helpful to share the horrors. Its like me saying to someone oh let me tell you the horror stories I have heard about being pregnant. Where is the encouragement?

Anyhow, I will get off my soap box. All this to say, its super helpful to be encouraging, and if you have something negative to say, think first as to if it will be helpful and not scarring.

Please pray as we try and get our forms turned in. I will post tomorrow and let you know.

A video into a first trip to russia from someone!

THIS IS MOVING! This is what we will be going thru!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0IEHlm99FU&feature=related

Contract- phone call, etc

YEAH! Our contract is on its way, and registration will be completed this week, so all we are waiting for is the registration form to be sent to the Russian orphange so they can match us up. Then we will be on our way!! Then it will REALLY GET REAL!

We talked with our agency, and they said about 2-8 months till completion. SO EXCITED!!!
Can you tell....

I sit and wonder what they will look like? What characteristic will they have?? Will they be shy, loud, artistic, super smart?? So excited to find out!

money and contract

So, we are moving money over to the agency. Its moving. Its moving!!!
We are praying that it will be painless as we dive into the next phase.

Please pray, as we need to give them close to 40k. Pray the Lord will provide, and that He will be honored above all.
I ( Becke) will be stepping back from high school ministry to get things ready for the child, and to get things moving at home. This will be a hard thing to do, but exciting as well. Please pray as I change roles...