The Roller Coaster

The last few weeks have been pretty tough.  We have tried to remain upbeat remembering that God has this, but that is tough to say the least.  The constant roller coaster of excitement and then defeat over the past five years has made it difficult to get back up and fight sometimes after receiving disappointing news.  But just as these negative thoughts started to dominate our minds again we were once again reminded that God already has a child picked out for us – we will eventually hold that child even if it takes a little longer than first expected. 

Over the weekend and again today we received a bit of good news!  While nothing is official yet, it appears as though MOWA has replaced their staff in Ethiopia and are now processing more than 5 cases per day (reports have confirmed they approved 20 cases one day late last week)!  This is still a substantial reduction from the 50 that were previously being processed and we have no idea if 20 cases a day will be long term. 

Maybe this change was needed and now adoptions will be safer and will be more ethical.  Perhaps this was a good thing and now we will be safer when we go.  Maybe even the new employees of MOWA will be the spark that is needed to overhaul the entire system in Ethiopia.

We are continually mindful of Ethiopia – our minds still race with questions and concerns.  All we can do is continue to pray for our child, the birth parents, MOWA, the country of Ethiopia, caretakers at the orphanages, and Bethany in Ethiopia and here.

James 1:2-6

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.