Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25

They are legally our babies

Something happened in the legal realm last week that had already happened in our spirits. Our children passed court and now, Moses and Elsabet are legally our babies. We knew they would be in time, we just didn't know how long our wait would be. We are so grateful and just giddy with excitement. We can't really express how truly amazed we are. And Lord willing we will get to go pick them up at the end of July.

So how it went down. We got the call at 6:13 on Thursday the 18th - their 8 month birthday. Jon Ryan had just emailed 5 minutes prior to let Patricia know we would be ready to take her call, in case she needed some encouragement in knowing our availability. (A side note here is ...we love Patricia, she is so gracious towards us in all our excitement - I think we can be a bit overwhelming and slightly high maintenance) But we had already been awake a couple of hours by then. This time of waiting was so so different than our last court date. I was sleeping for one and we were so peaceful and yet so excited.

God grew our faith a lot these past two weeks. Nothing is wasted with the Lord and I really love that. But seriously the Friday after our first court date I listened to "when the tears fall" by Tim Hughes over and over face down crying before the Lord. It was rough. I detached from our kids in a some small but real way. I am so thankful that I have two very wonderful friends that have already walked this road and can minister to me in a very real and understanding way. Then we began praying, seeking and expecting favor and our hearts changed drastically. We grew in praying expectantly and walking faith in that short span probably more than the year prior. God had our attention. It was a challenging and sweet time and I can say we are thankful for it.

A Sweet time of prayer

So we just had a sweet time of prayer with some very dear friends. We are so thankful to the Lord to have so much support. I'm feeling so differently this time around. Waiting on our first court date I was pretty anxious and a little guarded knowing how often court cases don't pass, but tonight I'm just excited. In less than 10 hours we should know the outcome. It has felt like a long two weeks, but it's finally here.

We didn't pass court

So we were pretty sad to hear today that we didn't pass court - lots of tears this morning. Just waiting on a letter of recommendation from a government agency. We do have a new court date just two weeks away, June 18th. It was a rough morning and it seems so silly to be so sad over a two week delay, but our hearts did break. We definitely know there is purpose in the delay and we trust there is fruit to come out of it. Please be praying for our new court date and that all the correct paper work does get in on time. We have a praise in that it seems like the only possible hang up at this point would be paperwork.
That's it for now.
My parents came down and spoiled us for the day. It was a sweet time with them and by the time they left I was "slumber party" giddy. All in all it ended up being a sweet day for us. Thanks for all your prayers and sweet words.
love,
the schlos

Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.

He is good

So I'm in a fairly raw state emotionally and I realized something so sweet about the Lord today. When He breaks my heart He only makes it better. He fills it with more of His - compassion, love, and tenderness. When the world breaks your heart and you deal with it by it's standards your heart can only grow bitter. He really does all things well. His ways are truly higher than ours. He is good.

I can hardly believe our court date is not even a full two days away. My peace comes from knowing our petitions are made before a throne whose very foundation is righteousness and justice. And the One who sits on it is Faithful and True. No matter what news we get on Thursday I know we can praise Him because He is worthy.

I really want to thank all of those who have shared our burden for these little ones with us in prayer. I don't think you really know how precious your partnership is to us.

We love you.
the schlos

For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Hab 2:3