MERRY CHRISTMAS MAKEDA :)

We are so looking forward to meeting our sweet blessing. Here is a little tree we have dubbed "Makeda's Tree" adorned with her special ornaments. Anticiapation is such sweet joy when your HOPE is in the Lord :)

WAITING ON HIS BEST

September 17
God Acts On Our Behalf
Philippians 4:6-7
We have become so accustomed to this hurried world that we've begun to demand speed in our spiritual life too. However, God "acts on behalf of those who wait for him" (Isa. 64:4 niv). Wise believers endure until the fruits of His labor appear.

In this devotion, we'll look at three reasons believers are called upon to wait. First, God may be preparing us to receive His blessings. Perhaps we need new skills or greater maturity. Sometimes people require fresh spiritual insight before their hands are ready to hold what their hearts desire. For example, David waited years to sit on his appointed throne. But when he did, he was a wise, strong, and battle-tested king.

Second, the Father is often teaching His children to have confidence in Him. How would believers ever learn faith if God immediately fulfilled their every request? In my own life, the Lord has often said two words: "Trust Me." And He has never been late to meet my needs. No matter how we justify rushing ahead of God, doing so amounts to saying, "I don't trust You."

Finally, the Lord will at times withhold blessing to protect us from harm we can't see. We may never find out what caused the delay. But be assured that God examines the object of our desire closely before placing it in our hands.

Waiting is rarely easy, particularly in this instant-everything world. But rushing ahead of the Lord short-circuits His plan. Believers who do are left unsatisfied, and they often must live with terrible consequences. Be patient while the Lord works out details. His best is on the way.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Adoption is not for wimps!

Now it is August 9th, 2011. We still wait. From Psalm 25...v3."Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." v.14 "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him. And He will show them His covenant." v.20 "Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You." Praise God for His sovereignty...my only peace.

The Name "Makeda"

Words of Wisdom

"Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts."
Elisabeth Elliot

Thank you Elisabeth...Praise You God that you are sovereign and have a perfect plan.

Upheaval in Ethiopia Adoption Process

Oh my.  As if the road hasn't been bumpy enough (and quite a long one at that :) all things Ethiopian adoption wise have become quite uncertain.  Meetings, rumors, changes, uncertainty.  The good news is, as of now the door to adopting from Ethiopia remains an open one.  The bad news is no one is quite certain what the program will look like from here on in, including the timeline.  Of course, if the bad news for me is that we have to wait longer BUT that the wait will actually result in on going to benefit the children and people of Ethiopia,  then indeed the bad news is not bad news at all, just difficult news.  The VERY BEST news is that, as Corrie Ten Boom once said...  THERE IS NO PANIC IN HEAVEN- ONLY PLANS.  The trinity holds no emergency meetings.  If I can keep myself settled on the truth that God has purposes and plans in ALL my days, He knew all of them before one of them came to be, then I can choose to remain in the peace that this knowledge provides.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.  I wish I could say I am soo faithful and soo certain, but too many times that is not the case.  I am waiting on the PRODUCT OF THE PROMISE, reminded of Abraham and the length of time it took for him to see his promise come to fruition (oh my Lord, please not 10 years!! :) and try my best to trust and somewhat patiently, wait.  Dear friends, your prayers for our process are coveted.  God please keep your hand on our princess (and her sibling if she has one) and please bring her home to us soon :) !

The Waiting Game

Wow.  I thought February would be the month we would have our new little princess revealed to us, but February has come and gone and we've yet to be blessed with the knowledge of who she is and even if she has a sibling.  It is soooo difficult to wait upon the Lord, especially with expectations that continue to shift. When we started this process the wait for a referral was 6 months.  There have been drastic changes to Ethiopian adoption in the past two years and there is rumor to be yet another change which is hard to swallow.  It hasn't been confirmed yet, but the it appears the wait may become much longer.  http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/-Ethiopia-to-Cut-Foreign-Adoptions-by-Up-to-90-Percent-117411843.html  This is a link to an article which states Ethiopia is to cut foreign adoptions up to 90%.  Instead of the Ministry of Womens Affairs hearing 50 adoption cases a day, they are planning on cutting down to 5 cases a day.  This has yet to be confirmed and sure hope it does not come to pass. The back log of cases already to be heard is significant, which I can't even imagine the impact this would have (well, I really don't want to!).  Nonetheless, after reading this article and praying about it, I sense God saying to just trust Him.  We want to adopt, NOW :) , but I am grateful God has given us stories in the Bible such as Abraham-The Promise-The mis-step with Hagar and the unwanted consequencs.  Obedience brings blessing, so unless God tells us otherwise, we will wait.  Please please pray for us, for her and for the process to be supernaturally touched and breakthrough come.  To He that is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever think or imagine, to HIM be the GLORY.  We will wait upon the Lord and pray that He will renew our strength.  May His favor be on "EVERY CHILD EVERYWHERE" :)