More to the story

Oh sweet girl!  - So thankful we get to hear her voice every Sunday!!

We just wanted to give you a little more to the story of why we did not have court yesterday.  I don't really know all of the details (and those we know we won't share-confidential) but there was a case before ours that did not go well-at all- and the Judge was angry so our lawyer thought it in our best interest to delay.  We are thankful for people who go in our place and try to make the best decisions for us and for Joy!  While to be honest we are faced right now with many unknowns and are very upset - we know that the Lord was looking out for us and that He will do it in his timing.  I can't get in to specifics but we are facing some decisions and pray for His wisdom and clear leading as we decide how best to proceed from here.  Thank you all for loving us so well and for your encouragement!
 How can you pray?
  *Praise that God KNOWS and is Sovereign.  He sees all of the details we don't and loves us and protects us.  Praise that we avoided a ruling that could have halted our case!
  *We want to follow His leading in all of the decisions we need to make- we pray for a clear understanding of the next step and wisdom on how to proceed.   (We are so thankful for Jay's longtime friend who is a lawyer in Ghana for his wise counsel and willingness to "interpret" the system for us.)
  *Pray that our hearts will feel His presence and peace and strength in the midst of this all. We are licking our wounds and our hearts are aching.  We miss our little girl and want so much to bring her home!
  *Pray that our kiddos will not grow angry and bitter but will continue to trust and believe that God has our best in mind.

  Aaron Keyes- Sovereign over us!!  AMEN AND AMEN!!!

Court Date is Wednesday

Joy on her way to school.

Wednesday, February 19th (hopefully) is our court date.  The Judge has said he will hear our case again and hopefully sign the "permission to leave country" papers needed so we can finally move on to the Embassy process.  Would you all please PRAY?!  We have been stuck in this part of the court process since August and are ready to finally move on! Beyond ready actually!!!

Here is how you can specifically pray for us:
1.  For all the people who need to be there- that they will show up, have all needed documents, and be willing to hear our case.
2.  That the Judge will grant us the permission we need and sign the papers needed for the next step.  (Or better yet- that he will bless us with a full and final adoption decree!)
3.  That the documents will be completed accurately and in a timely manner (we have had to have MANY corrections made, like spelling errors etc. at each step and it is a very slow process to have corrections made!)
4.  That we (Becky especially) will have peace and assurance from the Lord as we wait another anxiety filled day- until we hear news.  News is often very slow in coming!!
5. That no matter what happens on the 19th (more delays, etc.) the kids(and we) will continue to trust that the Lord has called us to this and HE WILL DO IT!!!  HE IS BIGGER!- Bigger than the roadblocks of the enemy, than disorganized systems, than our fears, our plans.  And His ways are always good and perfect!  Thank you Pastor Kevin for this great reminder.  Our Father loves us all more than we can imagine and He is in control! Praise!!  I am so thankful we can fully trust Him!
6.  Join us in giving Praise to the Lord for HE IS GOOD!  His love and mercy endures forever!!

Thanks friends and family!!