Marissa here. Sorry it has been so long since we have updated you on life and adoption! I felt the need to do so today! A lot has been going on!
First, I leave for Uganda in 3 DAYS!!! No, not to pick up our child (that would be AWESOME!) but, to go on a mission trip to learn about the culture and to love and serve the people there! I will be traveling with my cousin Marcy, my friend Mallari and her mom (who is also my friend) Noreen! I am SO excited to be a sponge for 18 days and to soak in as much as I can! I will be sure to post pictures and video when we return! I can't wait to teach you all about our child's culture, since you will all be a part of his/her life once we bring him/her home! You can read the previous blog post to learn more about this trip, and the organization New Hope Uganda. I can't wait to see how God moves!
Second, I am going to share with you all an update on our adoption process! First, I want to say that God is good...I hope you all know that. I know that I know that, but at times life is just plain hard. We are still number 23 on the list...haven't moved for a couple months. We got a phone call last week from our case worker in Alabama (the one who is doing all of our international adoption stuff) and she informed me that the wait for our child possibly could be longer than the 15-18 months that we were initially told. That news was so disheartening...it hurt....I felt pain...I felt sad.
Going back a couple weeks...I started reading a book with some friends of mine called "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer. We wanted to help one another grow in our relationship with God, but also learn to just have joy in Christ, and know/believe that He is enough in every life circumstance! I was SO EXCITED to start reading this book! So, I open to the first section, and the first section is about.....(drum roll please)......CONTENTMENT! God sure knows what He's doing! So, I read the first "resolution" and it states this: " I do solemnly resolve before God to embrace my current season of life and live with a spirit of contentment." After reading that...I started to tear up. Tear up, because I know that God is working on trying to teach me how to be content. One of the BIGGEST things I learned is that contentment is something to be LEARNED....check it out:
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:11-13
Paul says He has LEARNED the secret of being content...so, I must learn how to be content...not an easy task, but I know that God is working on changing me. You see, when you are content with whatever season you are in, you are able to live life to the fullest! You are able to see what God has in front of you RIGHT NOW, because you aren't so focused on what you don't have. I don't want to "wish away" my life so I can get to the next "bigger" or "better" thing...because then I fear that I will get to the end of my life, and not remember it...I was "there" but I wasn't "really there". You know what I mean?
I am so glad that God is choosing now to teach me contentment, instead of after I wished my life away...but boy is it hard! But, it is SO FREEING! I am able to call on the Lord, and He takes my sadness and pain, and fills it with His love, and reminders of what HE has done for me...and that my life purpose is to bring glory to Him! There is a lot more work to do in me, I know, but I am rejoicing in what He has changed already...and for that I am so thankful!
So, getting that phone call was so hard to receive the other day. It felt like we were taking a step back..but I know that God has a plan. I cling to His promises:
- Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
And so many more verses that speak of God's sovereignty and about His love for His children. I am so thankful for Him. If it weren't for Him, where would I be? I would be nowhere...and I am so thankful He has come and saved me. I couldn't get through this difficult period in my (our) life. He sustains me and gives me strength each and every day.
If you could, please keep our family in your prayers. Thank you for all the encouragement the last 3 years we have been in this journey. God has really blessed us with all of you, and we couldn't do this alone. I wanted to share one song with you, that I think is so beautiful. We truly do serve a beautiful, beautiful God.
"Beautiful" by Shawn McDonald...
Love,
Marissa
