Pray for Us Please- Treading Water

My sweet Joy-she was not too sure about this frightening ocean!

I know exactly how she feels!  Praise for a Father who sees it all- and holds us in His arms!!

"In each season of our lives, even the ones moving through murky waters when we can only see in part, we can trust in the One who views it all. There is something beautiful happening just below the surface. May God give us eyes to see it clearly.

Lord God, You are good. I trust You are doing beautiful things in my life even when I can't see them. Please help me trust when I don't see Your eternal picture clearly and hold on tightly to You until a new season of clarity. Amen."  Looking for Hidden Beauty by Amy Carroll

Murky Waters- that was the theme of my bible study this morning- and trusting that the Lord sees clearly what is below the surface.  Without a doubt we trust that the Lord does know exactly what is going on and that despite our fears and feeling like we are flailing about in deep scary waters, there is something beautiful happening.  But oh how we pray for the waters to calm and clear so we too can see it!!

To be quite honest I am exhausted from treading water and trying to not sink under the discouragement and fears of another phone call or email with disappointing news.  Instead of moving forward we seem to be staying in place if not moving backward. I won't go into details but- Please pray with us- we truly need the Lord to do miracles.  We need him to change the hearts of those in charge to be tender and to desire to move our case forward.  We need people to show up, do their work, and act in an ethical manner.  We need wisdom to know if we need to do something different, if there IS anything we can do, or just keep waiting.  We need the Lord to keep us afloat as we are waiting for His rescue.  Praise that He is a God of justice and mercy and love and He is our Father who rises to show us compassion! 

"Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him! " 
 Isaiah 30:18 

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"  Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

This song, among a couple of  others has been the cry of my heart throughout the entire adoption.  I am so thankful for His embrace during this season of treading water- and whatever the next months will bring!

We also are so thankful for each of our friends and family members who have committed to pray for us!!  We need it!  We have had many of you come up and ask us how we are and let us know you are praying for us. THANK YOU!!   We need you - our family of families- to continue to lift us up and keep us afloat with your prayers!!  One of my sweet friends reminded me of Moses and how he prayed during the battle with his hands raised and as they became tired, others came and helped hold him up so they could pray to the Lord for his strength and power to defeat the enemy. Our enemy does not want our sweet Joy to come home- but our God is stronger and more powerful and He will win!  We ask you to please continue to help lift us up in prayer during this battle.  Our arms are very tired!   We love you all!
-Becky (and clan)