Submission to court - Take two...

Well, our paperwork was not submitted to the Ethiopian court, as we had originally thought. Dereje apparently contacted Debbie and told her that he would be submitting it today.... It seems that he is new to the Ethiopian court and says that it is taking longer because they are getting established in the court system, but he promises that it will speed up. Well, in the meantime, another week of the babies' lives have slipped by. I am sure that promise to "speed up" may benefit some families down the road, but as for us, well, I don't know.

I know the Lord has a plan and a reason for every delay. It is just so hard sometimes, waiting. I guess for the time that I am in waiting, I need to enjoy my other kids more while I can, and continue trying to get this house in order... What a MONUMENTAL task! Ugh!

Rick Warren (not one of my favorites.. he's becoming really "new agey") says, "Hope is about the future. Hope is wanting and believing in something you don't have yet. An in that space between wanting and having, between the present and the future, lies a gap that you can fill with one of three things: despair, fear, or faith. Despair is the decision to quit hoping, to quit wanting anything because disappointment has broken your heart. Fear seeps in when you want something but lack confidence in God's faithfulness. Faith upholds you when you want, and even when you ache while you don't have what you want. It helps you stay focused on God's trustworthiness".

I think God's Words of wisdom are so much better!

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

The eyes of all look expectantly to you,
And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing. - Psalm 145:15-16