Weekend in Pictures

A Family Portrait by Nate the Great. left to right: Dad, Mom, Maddie, Nate, John Elliot

Crib bedding was washed and put on Friday! I may have been a little eager...

One suitcase is packed and already topping the 50lb limit!

A little shopping might have taken place...

One of the most beautiful pieces of paperwork I have ever signed and fed-exed!

Overwhelming Joy

"You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts

towards us; none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are

more than can be told."

Psalm 40:5

We are beyond grateful to announce that we received our referral from Rwanda this morning of the most beautiful baby boy! He is beyond what we could have hoped for...perfect in every way for our family. As we prayed before opening the e-mail, I wept for God's goodness and faithfulness to our family over the past two years. This journey has been so painful as God has used it to refine us with the fire of waiting. However, we can honestly say that we love Him more today than we did two years ago. His faithfulness to walk with us, to hear our lament, to have mercy on us in our doubt has increased our affections for him. May His name be lifted higher because of our story. The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever. Amen

A Thousand Things

The Lord has reminded me over the last week that He is always purposeful. Even- especially- in our painful wait. He is doing "a thousand things" in our family's life and the lives of those around us through this long wait to tell His story to a world that groans for redemption. Two years ago we started this journey. His way is best. Seventeen months ago our dossier arrived in Rwanda. His way is best. We received our approval on January 3, 2011. His way is best. We have been waiting three months and eleven days for a referral. His way is best. I do not need the weight of this wait to be lighter...a child is at stake. I need my Savior and His Sovereign ways to be weightier. Thank you Father for the reminder this morning that your way is always best. If I could rewrite our journey, I would only mess up YOUR story. Thank you that you are doing "a thousand things" with our journey. May it bring you praise.