These verses seemed fitting on New Year's morning as a great reminder to keep resting in God's goodness as we roll into 2014. Like many others, we've recently spent time looking back over the last year and recalling to mind how wonderfully merciful and faithful our Lord has been. This reflection has definitely given us hope for the new year and excitement as we anticipate the events that are to unfold as we continue to seek Him and His will for us in our adoption journey. And we can't wait to share it all with you!
Right now, we can't really give any specific updates relating to the adoption, but we can say that we've had a wonderful time over the last few weeks celebrating the holidays and visiting with family. We were able to take some time off from work to travel and see family up north, where we were definitely out of our "warm" comfort zone. It was ridiculously cold, but absolutely a blessing to be with those we love. Winston even came along, and had a blast (once he figured out it was ok to go "potty" in the snow).
Another treat was being home on New Year's eve, by ourselves, for the first time since we've been married. We have always been on the road somewhere, working our way back. But this year we thought it would be nice to enjoy a restful day ringing in the new year with each other. We even had time to start a little tradition, which we hope to keep, by making a true southern New Year's feast complete with pork, collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn bread, and some good-old sweet tea. It was fantastic! Bravo to the southern chef :)
The Lord really is good to those that wait for Him, and that's what we are expecting to do this year. Understandably, we were asked often for updates on the adoption as we visited with friends and family. And, of course, we would love to have had specific plans or dates to share with everyone. Who wouldn't? But the dates and even the specific "next steps" aren't really what's important. What is important is that God is in control. He knows best. And we must keep trusting in Him to provide according to His will and His timing.
We recently watched a video that was posted online which described an adoption journey that a couple had gone through. What really stood out when watching it, and has been an encouragement ever since, was a comment that the new Dad made to his adopted son. He said (paraphrased...of course), "God hasn't had us waiting this long for just any baby to bring home, God has been having us wait for YOU." At the start of this new year, we continue to be filled with hope as we seek the Lord in prayer that He will lead us to the precious child that he has been providentially orchestrating for us to love as our own.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
