Joy Comes in the Morning

Last night, my Ryan, went to Deacon Jim Pittman's talk about his mission trip to the Congo. I couldn't go because John Paul has a cold and needed to be home with his mama. Ryan came home and updated me about the state of affairs regarding our possible adoption of 9 year old twin girls from the orphanage that Deacon Jim ministered in. From what we know, a man... Vincent, who is from the Congo but now lives here, reports that we have a 95% chance of being able to get the girls out of the Congo and into our home. Vincent should be able to talk with an attorney today who has worked with adoptions from the Congo... we await his call to give us an update on the probability of a successful adoption. It is so exciting, and terrifying to step on in faith on this one. In our adoption with John Paul, we weren't dealing with a corrupt government who extorts children for money, and demands bribes for those that they would just as soon discard. In my heart I hear my God cry, I am the Lord, there is no other.... and I know that He is the Lord of my life and will provide every good thing when He calls me to act.

My heart was so full last night, after hearing the state of the Congo described by Ryan. He said it is 10 times worse than Tijuana, with no sewer or garbage collection systems. When the garbage, collecting on the "more affluent" streets, gets too high people pulling carts are paid to simply move that garbage onto the streets of the poor. Until those, who are unable to pay to have the garbage moved are left to live surrounded by refuse. My heart aches with the knowledge that there are so many abandoned orphans there, and the knowledge of how much this must cause the Son of Man to weep for his little lambs. I ask, "what can I do in the face of such disregard for the sanctity and dignity of the human person". The answer is the same here in America as it is there in the Congo... pray in faith, listen for the still small voice of my Father, and then do what He asks of me. It is simple, and it is the most complex thing in my life.... namely- obedience. Not obedience to my desires and the designs I have created for my life, but to listen for the desires and designs of the One who created the heavens and the earth... and every soul housed therein.

I trust Him. He has given me joy this very day, to know that He is God and I don't have to be. All I need do is to surrender my will to His generous love and then wait for Him to call my name. I can rest in this peace, and wait for Him to ask what He will of me and my life. I desire what He desires for me, and I humbly ask you to pray that, when asked, I will faithfully answer YES, just as his daughter Mary did when she prayed....

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her". -Luke 1: 38