"That your way may be known on earth..." Psalm 67:2

Hi Friends,

I write to you with a heavy heart today.  We have just received word that has somehow clarified some of what has been going on, and has further confused us in other ways.  The bottom line is this- there will be a hearing before a judge Friday morning in Ethiopia (Thursday night here) with Addie’s birth mother, birth father (yes, you read that right), and Woudneh, our agency’s Ethiopian director.  It is our hope that at this hearing the judge will uphold the previous ruling, and that we will still be named Addie’s legal parents.  The reality is, unfortunately, that may not be what happens.  For reasons we do not want to currently divulge, the adoption is in jeopardy, and there is a real possibility that she could be given back to her biological parents, in spite of the fact that they are unable, and partially unwilling to care for her.  We are convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are what is best for her, and that a reversal of the adoption would be very detrimental for our daughter.  I cannot go into all the reasons why we feel this way, without telling information about her that we feel is, for the time, private.  Please just trust that we love our daughter and want what is good for her.

I am reminded that while in Ethiopia, the Holy Spirit called to mind James 1:2-3.  “Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  When we came home I memorized the next verse- “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  We are facing a trial I never saw coming- a trial that is extremely painful, but by His grace, we are remaining steadfast- trusting that “He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” 

We ask you to pray for us, pray for the judge, pray for our friend Woudneh as he advocates for Addie, pray for her biological parents, and lastly, but most importantly, PRAY FOR ADDIE.  Ask the Lord to once again spare her life- as we have literally seen Him do twice already- and ask that His hand would stay upon her.  Pray for His mercy once more to fall on her and protect her.  Tonight at 6:30 a group of our family and friends are gathering to pray, and we ask that those of you who will not be there, stop where you are and go to the Lord on Addie’s behalf.

This morning I read Psalm 67, and remembered that this verse was one that our dear friend, Hayward Armstrong, had shared with our small group, about the time we were surrendering to the call to adopt. 

“May God be gracious to us and bless us

And make His face to shine upon us,

THAT YOUR WAY MAY BE KNOWN ON EARTH,

YOUR SAVING POWER AMONG ALL NATIONS.”

I ran downstairs and found this ornament I had made two years ago on our Christmas tree:

It is our deepest prayer that regardless of what happens, His “saving power [may be made known] among the nations.”

Thanks in advance for your prayers.