"Who Knows?"

When I came out to my blog today I was surprised to see that the last time I published a post was on April 25th, not because that was almost two months ago, but because that evening we stumbled upon a picture of a precious orphan girl in China that we hope will be ours one day.

People are always asking us how things are going and what's new. I had a timeline in my head that moved a little faster than the actual timeline for our journey, so I want to have something to tell them! "We're still waiting," may be a satisfactory response for many, but it is not for me. I want something to be HAPPENING!!! In the physical world, and to the "untrained eye," nothing is going on. There is no news from China. Fifteen files made their way, finally, from partnership orphanages, and all but one were boys. It's been 4 months. We hear nothing, we see nothing, we know nothing...in the physical world.

But in the spiritual world, whole battles are being fought, plans are being made and executed, our daughter is being healed of physical ailments, she is being taught and is growing and is learning to be loved and to love. People are moving into her world that will carry out the Lord's goodness. In this world we say, "Who knows?" In this world we even say, "Only God knows!" But in the spiritual world, in my world that is built on foundations of faith that cannot be shaken, "I know!"

In the last several weeks since we came across this sweet girl's photo, learned she is from one of our partnership orphanages, learned that she had surgery and were blessed to storm the gates of heaven for her recovery, God has answered my prayers that faith would ARISE! He has strengthened my "faith muscles," because each leg of this adoption journey requires a little bit more. He is making us "mature and complete" as we "suffer" through the wait. We have learned to trust in HIM, not conditionally, but wholly. And do you know what amazing thing has happened? I am not just "surviving" the wait, I am thriving!! God has filled my heart with peace and, get this, JOY!! I am so confident in the goodness of my God and his love for me, and the perfection of all of his ways, that I am nearly giddy. Faith is a beautiful free fall.

This morning I was led to one of my favorite passages that the Holy Spirit spoke afresh to me again.



We are sure that that which we hope for and do not see going on in our adoption process, is indeed being worked out to perfection by our Jehovah Nissi. Jehovah Nissi means, "The Lord is my Banner!" It is the assured victory that God promises as we look to him, high and lifted up over the battlefield of our life! As we battle timelines, lack of information, the need for any post-operative complications to be completely resolved, for our daughter to be seen so that her file will be pushed through the system at record speed, we call on the name of the Lord our Banner for the miraculous victory!

If you too, in your spirit, believe God for this miracle in our lives, we ask that you partner with us in prayer. We believe God wants to blow our minds with his provision.

As Joel 2:14 says, "WHO KNOWS...he may leave behind a blessing..."

I know.