God Places the Lonely in Families

That was the title of a blog post I read yesterday. It's so true. Today we got news that we didn't want to get. Ukraine will not accept our immigration as it has less than 6 months before it expires. Our SW is trying to get a new approval expedited, though technically we can't apply for an extension until sometime in March, which will then put us into submission sometime in April or June. However, at that point our other paperwork will likely be declined since we signed it all in December. I feel it's been one thing after another, and right now we are unsure of what our next step should be. I've been praying that our steps would be clear, and that we would know without hesitation what we should do. We've tossed around a few ideas, but right now, Dave and I are not both at peace about the same idea. Please pray for us that we would know what we should do. Pray that we can find peace in whatever God's will is for us in this process. Two children have gone home because we went in obedience, but they didn't come to us. I wonder if it would have been better to be more circumspect, and now I understand why so many adoptive parents are. The pain is so unbearable when it's just your own, but when it's on display for the world to see, I almost feel like it's that much more. On the other side of that, is the absolute joy I've had in seeing how this has changed our family for the better. Our eyes have been open to plight of the orphan and those struggling around the world. Our focus has gone from the things of the Earth that will pass away, to the things that are eternal. I pray that God will fill the lonely in our family. I pray that His will is done, and that He can have mercy on us during this time. I pray that He will redeem our lives. So many times during this process, I have thought of Paul's obedience even through difficult times. I think of Solomon's words in Proverbs, and the words of the Psalmist and they comfort me. I am glad for the things we have gone through, and pray that God will direct our steps.