We first saw her face in February.
Three pictures in our inbox.
We learned her story a couple weeks later.
And since then….
We’ve said a lot of prayers.
We’ve done some investigating.
We’ve received more pictures.
I’ve written her love letters.
We’ve sent care packages.
Thanks to so many of YOU, we made her a puzzle….500 willing hearts came together and sponsored a piece to help bring this precious one home.
I bought her a pair of pink Crocs that sit on my nightstand.
We glued some pieces on our Adoption Map. (Brogan asks, almost every day, if we’re getting closer to the heart.)
And then….
I flew to the Congo.
I held her in my arms.
I kissed her sweet cheeks.
I smelled her sweet skin.
I wiggled her sweet toes.
I whispered her name into her ear.
I didn’t want to let go.
But I flew back to America and here we’ve been, waiting and waiting and waiting…
Dying to go back.
After losing two previous referrals (a referral is adoption speak for being matched with a child), a little boy in October and another little girl in January, we weren’t going to share the news about our Congolese cutie until we passed court.
But court’s been taking forever.
We’ve been there now for 13 weeks.
We feel stuck.
We’re weary.
We’re distracted.
And we could use prayer.
So please pray.
Pray for her well-being.
Pray for her precious little heart and the difficult journey she has ahead of her. Because what she’s already gone through and will go through makes my “suffering” absolutely pale in comparison.
Pray against corruption.
Pray for all the hurdles we still have ahead of us.
Pray that God would be glorified and we would be sanctified, come what may.
Pray that we’d be a family soon. Because we sure don’t feel whole with her over there and us over here.
My friend, Kelli Standish, says it best:
Waiting is one of the most excruciating acts of worship.
And that’s exactly what it is. Or at least what it becomes. Because when you’re here, in this place of helpless waiting, with no power to move it along, what else is there to do but open your hands and trust?
Let’s Talk: What are you waiting for?
Update on July 27th, 2013 – PRAISE JESUS! We are a family of four! We passed court! She is officially our daughter. Hoping and praying the rest of this journey goes quickly so we can bring her home! Thank you for your prayers!
Just saw the update. Praise the Lord Almighty. Some of us have been seriously praying.
Hi there!
I ran across your contact info while going through some of our adoption paperwork. We sat next to you guys at the adoption seminar for our home studies. Congrats! What a precious blessing! Do you know when you will travel yet?
We are still in the process with India. No referral yet, but once we get it I don’t know how I will keep myself from moving to India to be with him/her/them. How difficult the wait must be for you!
My goodness, Katie! I’ll be praying. Keep us posted if you can. Praying now.
So excited for you!! And nervous. And impatient. And moved. And hopeful. Praying for you, sweet friend! And for that little girl who would look fantastic in pink crocs.
Praying for your family to be united soon. And that the Lord will give you grace as you wait until it happens!
I’ll be praying.
What am I waiting for? Wow. Where do i begin?
Waiting on:
-Writing to be in Gods timing.
-My body to heal for exercise (can’t explain how much I miss these two most of all)
-staying at home more and less work…
There is no end in sight to these things. And you said it.
What else is there to do?!…
But I think that’s where we are supposed to be.
Oh Katie. Thank you for sharing this. Know will be praying.
Continuing to pray for you and your little princess.
As an adoptee, my heart is so entwined with yours and hers in this. I’m praying the Lord will open the doors to speed this through, that all powers against it will fall away, and soon she’ll be here in her new home.
I know what waiting is like, and yes, it is an act of worship. Standing in the gap for you, Katie.
As an adoptive mom of three, I know the waiting game. I will pray for all of you fervently.
Covering you all in prayer!!!
Katie, my heart aches for you, your family, and that little girl. I’m praying that God’s will be done in all your lives. Those little pink crocs are darling.
Dearest, Katie… My heart aches for you and the wait… I will continue to pray!
Oh my… this had me in tears… saying a prayer for you right now. Your words touched me deeply.
I’m waiting for my 27 year old daughter to fully turn her heart back to the Lord…
Praying for all as you wait!
I can’t imagine how difficult this is, friend. But I do know a little about God’s goodness in the midst of suffering . . . and waiting.
I’m praying for your heart, that His loving arms would hold ALL of you tight while you can’t hold your little girl, that His goodness would be tangible.
I’m so glad you got to hold her. I know the memory of that is bittersweet while you wait.
You’re not alone in this. Let our prayers hold you up.
Love you.
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news… and hearts and little pink Crocs to fill to overflowing joy. Blessings to you all, Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Waiting is so hard! You’ve obviously already “got this” about worshipping in the waiting… But I know there are those moments that just ache your heart so bad. A child is such a unique thing to wait for. Praying for you and your family.
Praying that she’s home in your arms soon.
So sorry for all the frustration and heartache, Katie. Praying for you, your family, and that precious little girl.
Praying for you, your family, and this precious child! HUGS!!
From God’s perspective, the sweetest worship is worship that comes from a breaking heart. Your praise-in-practice–a.k.a. grace-filled waiting–is so precious to Him. And it will help create part of the “This is how much we wanted you” part of your daughter’s adoption story. Praying. Trusting. Resting with you in the embrace of the One who sees and knows, the One who’s understanding is unlimited.
Praying that you hear you’ve passed court this week! This process isnt easy. She’s precious, love that picture. 🙂
So many tears Katie. 🙁 There is a divine reason. God is in control over every detail, and he loves you four all so much. She will be home in his timing. Praying with you.
Oh, Katie!! What a blessing and a hardship all rolled into one. Praying right this very moment that God would make your family whole…soon!
This made me cry…and then pray. Praying still, Katie!
Katie
As an adoptive mother myself, I ache for you and understand your worry — even if it might only be on the smallest scale.
I pray for a swift delivery if your child to you, as you go trough this season of waiting. His will be done…
Ashley
praying she comes home soon!
I sent the link to this story to my cousin, a mom of 3 adopteed little girls.
Praying for you, friend!!! xoxoxoxoxo
I will wait and pray with you. I love the map and puzzle and all ways you’ve made this journey visual for your son and for us all. I remember waiting . . . and how challenging that can be. But God is working on your behalf and on this little girl’s behalf even when you don’t see anything happening. Good things come to she who waits.
So now I’m all teary. Been praying, will keep praying. This baby needs your arms around her.
Katie thank you for allowing us to be a of your life in this perso.al intimate way. My prayer tbat your family is soon joined with your newest little dollbaby
Oh God in Heaven have mercy, Katie. I’m pretty sure this post touched our hearts – and God’s. Trusting Him to come to your rescue. He’s coming and SHE is too – I’m believing that. As surely as I believe He is right there with you. Mercy and grace for your family. What a achingly beautiful way to define patience.
I’ll be praying. (And reading this post again.)
You are loved,
Ganise
Praying, Katie. Thanks for allowing us to be part of your spiritual ground support.
Definitely praying!
Very true! Praying for you all. *hugs*
OH that precious little foot!
God is holding each one of you in the palm of His hand. Praying for wholeness in Him!
Oh, girl, my heart aches for you and your family! But I know God will see you through this. I’m definitely praying big time!
Praying…
Praying
So praying!
Praying!!