Chchchchachanges...

So now the 'stall' is that the US Embassy is having a change of heads of command. I'd like that if I wasn't smack dab in the middle of paperwork sitting on the new heads' desk!!! Gulp. Our agency contacts in Ethiopia are meeting with the new head TODAY. I'm hopeful. It really couldn't have been much worse. I'm reminded of my SAT high school essay that I BLEW OUT OF THE WATER!! It impacted me (not the scores, but the essay writing;p) that I remember it to this day (no small feat!). Here's what it was:
Elaborate on (probably quoted from somewhere): The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Yep. that was it! My SAT for English. I went all the way to Elizabethtown, NC (that's right EJ!!) to take this in a poe-dunk area to have my little heart melted about how much I RESIST CHANGE!! I had no idea as a little insecure high school gal that CHANGE was going to be my life ahead. What I realized as I rallied on that essay (I did mention I knocked it out of the ball park didn't I?) was CHANGE wasn't so much to be feared as much as things STAYING THE SAME!! See the irony?? I don't know if I saw it so clearly then, but I'm learning it to this day.

You see, more changes, more waits...it's ALL THE SAME...as Solomon said:There's nothing new under the Sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.)
Sounds kinda boring if you ask me! We live, clamor, jockey, manage, step,etc as if it's all NEW but it's NOT. Under the sUn, it's all the same. Of course new to our experience, but not to God. BUT, under the sOn...IT'S ALL NEW!!! That's why I love Ecclesiastes: it's all dooms day UNLESS you get a glimpse of the new creation we are in Christ and UNLESS you see the new life we have now and forever.

So, hohum...new Embassy head...paper work stalled. We wait...NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. Surprisingly though, skip in my step and JOY as I head into a fun weekend experiencing the SON through firsts and lasts in my kids' lives and hubbies' bday (I LOVE YOU BABE...YOU ROCK MY WORLD!)

JESUS MAKES ALL THINGS NEW. WORLDLY CHANGE...you have nothing on me!!

Waiting...again....

Short update: US Embassy accepted (not approved) Jacob's file today. Reminder: Jeremiah's was accepted (not approved) last Tuesday. Now we wait to see when they're approved and if additional interviews,etc are requested. Doesn't look like travel this weekend.

Rambling Update:
This adoption process sure has been refining. I can't say I'm any 'better' at WAITing now then when we began. What I can say is that I'm learning there is GOOD AND GOD in the WAIT. So, I lean into it with a little less 'resistance' and a little more 'hope' as I know I'm not DRIVING this journey. Somehow I forgot that this weekend in my kick-hiney mode. I forgot it wasn't up to me to have life 'ordered' for my family and figured out for the next decade. Something about adding 2 toddlers to the crew does 'hit me' as paralysis at times.

I think it's the uncertainty that is harder for me than the 'hard times'. That's when it hits me. I'm putting my faith in what is around me (really always uncertain) verses what is true, certain and GOOD in Christ. What around me never 'qualified' me for adopting our sons. What around me never 'qualified' me for being adopted by God. I'm grateful for waiting again...but waiting on the Lord, not the uncertain to become certain.

Pray with us as BOTH THE BOYS FILES ARE AT US EMBASSY as of today! Word is no one heard from files submitted last week (like Jeremiahs). So we can probably safely say it won't be this weekend;p AND that we probably will get separate dates/approval for the boys. Do you see? I CAN'T DO THIS!! I try every decision tree imaginable in these situations and try to 'insert here cindy's ideas' to influence what I can't. Thankfully, God isn't surprised by my panic and wandering, but also doesn't give me my way. I'm glad. My way looks very anxiety ridden and no joy. Thanks Jesus for drawing me near. I'm waiting...ON YOU!
(p.s. I really!!! did want to make it thru Kaylee Ann's dance recital on Sunday..and so did she. Could it bet that's best?! stay tuned).