It's been a year...feels like a lifetime (literally).
It feels as though Noble and India have spent their whole lives in our arms. That wasn't the case.
And yet, they DID spend every day of their lives before joining our family in the arms of their Father God. Never did He leave them...not one day of their lives. Never did He forsake them...even though things might have appeared otherwise.
And yet, they DID spend every day of their lives before joining our family in the arms of their Father God. Never did He leave them...not one day of their lives. Never did He forsake them...even though things might have appeared otherwise.
God works ALL things for good!
Here we are at the one year mark. I watch the homecoming video and I remember. I remember Noble's first days, unwilling to touch the sand, unable to go out in the sun...too bright for his senses on overload. It was ALL just too much. He'd weep and writhe and we'd pray and hold. For our playful, happy beach boy, those days seem distant now.
I too remember little India's first days...the Lord sent us a mellow baby, surely a sign of His grace when Noble was struggling with such intensity. We formed our bond through bottle feeding, cuddling, and eye contact at first, then had the blessed opportunity to breastfeed. Those early days with India were a gift.
We tend to laugh at the role reversal of Noble and India now as we praise God for Noble's gentle, obedient, sensitive, "mellow" spirit. Miss India, on the other hand, is a busy, determined 18 month old, and anything but "mellow" these days! :) Destruction is her favorite pastime. Toddling off quietly to unravel someone else's well-laid plan is her goal. And, yelping to be sure we know precisely what she needs (typically something involving a sippy cup or a hug) seems to be her love language...and we ADORE her through it all...thankful she's so confident her needs will be met when she asks. India knows she is LOVED. It's a good thing.
Noble tends to his baby sister with natural tenderness and compassion well beyond his years...its extremely endearing! When I see empathy in Noble's eyes (and I often do), it's difficult to accept that his sensitive spirit knows pains that too go well beyond his years. He's known struggle, even at his young age, and his eyes tell of his heart's story. I know {I believe} God will use it all for good.
I too remember little India's first days...the Lord sent us a mellow baby, surely a sign of His grace when Noble was struggling with such intensity. We formed our bond through bottle feeding, cuddling, and eye contact at first, then had the blessed opportunity to breastfeed. Those early days with India were a gift.
We tend to laugh at the role reversal of Noble and India now as we praise God for Noble's gentle, obedient, sensitive, "mellow" spirit. Miss India, on the other hand, is a busy, determined 18 month old, and anything but "mellow" these days! :) Destruction is her favorite pastime. Toddling off quietly to unravel someone else's well-laid plan is her goal. And, yelping to be sure we know precisely what she needs (typically something involving a sippy cup or a hug) seems to be her love language...and we ADORE her through it all...thankful she's so confident her needs will be met when she asks. India knows she is LOVED. It's a good thing.
Noble tends to his baby sister with natural tenderness and compassion well beyond his years...its extremely endearing! When I see empathy in Noble's eyes (and I often do), it's difficult to accept that his sensitive spirit knows pains that too go well beyond his years. He's known struggle, even at his young age, and his eyes tell of his heart's story. I know {I believe} God will use it all for good.
Today, it's been a year...feels like a lifetime.
As I reflect upon this past year and all that's transpired and changed, the anniversary invokes mixed emotions.
The many children who still await their homecoming weigh heavily on my heart. We have multiple other family friends who have either 1 or 2 children in the Congo. How I wish my prayers to the God who controls ALL things would cause heaven to burst open closed doors! How I long to see these loving parents united to their children who wait. God knows the perfect time...
The DRC holds our friends, waiting friends already dear to hearts.
The DRC holds them for now...and The Comforter holds them for now.
The DRC holds them for now...and The Comforter holds them for now.
Our friends need our prayers. So, we cry out to the One "who can open doors no man can shut, who can close doors no man can open"...to quote my sweet, sweet waiting mama-friend. God can do ANYTHING! He can bring the rest of our soon-to-be buddies home. But for now, while they wait, I have faith that our compassionate Lord holds them secure in His arms of LOVE...just as He held Noble and India. He will orchestrate as He sees best. His appointed time is right.
HE is all they really need...and they have HIM now...even in the Congo so very far from new homes where fathers pray and mothers dream of wiping tears and bandaging scraped knees...HE is who they need.
They have Him. And we have Him.
They have Him. And we have Him.
Isn't it amazing, though truly HE is ALL these little ones need, He CHOOSES to use US?
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
1 John 4:12
1 John 4:12
Lord, we cry out, we pray, we plead on behalf of those waiting to celebrate their very own first year home. We know you can open doors that are shut in ways that mystify us so needy before you, God. And so, we ask that you would. Would you bring the children home? Would you comfort them while they wait and comfort the mothers and fathers...that wait?
We have faith that you CAN...because nothing is too hard for you!
We have faith that you CAN...because nothing is too hard for you!
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
about this time next year,
and Sarah shall have a son.”
Genesis 18:14
"Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you."
Isaiah 43:5
"Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you."
Isaiah 43:5
Please join us in prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo
and the children who wait to come home.
(Warning: some content in the above video is graphic.)
(Click the photo above to watch our video from Brodie's
first trip to the DRC...meeting Noble and India.)
(Click the photo above to watch Noble and India's
homecoming video, November 19, 2012.)
"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
Psalm 103:1-5
