the Divine Weaver

Have you ever bought a new car, thinking that you had never seen one like it before,  only to drive it off the lot and suddenly see it everywhere? That is how I feel about our adoption. Before I knew only a few people who had adopted or been adopted internationally. But as soon as we started down this journey, it feels like everywhere I turn there is someone who has either adopted internationally or is close to someone who has adopted.

This weekend was another confirmation of how God weaves the stories of people’s lives together. On Friday night,  we took 115 of our high school students on what we call a “Winter Advance.” It is basically a spiritual retreat where we just have a blast together, worship together and learn from God’s Word. It was such an amazing time. Three of the students who went on this retreat were girls who (in the past year) have been adopted internationally.

One was adopted from the Ukraine about 8 months ago. Another  was adopted from South Africa 4 months ago. The third girl was also adopted from South Africa, but for her it was only 1 month ago. Is God amazing or what? I mean, for the last 7 years in ministry, I don’t think I’ve met one person who was adopted internationally. And in one weekend, this year of all years, I have connected with 3 people who have been adopted.

One of these 3 precious girls was in my small group. I feel like because of the books I have been reading about the tough transition adopted children experience, we were able to connect on a deeper level. Even though I knew this 17 year old was absolutely grateful to be in a family and have the hope of a better life, I asked her “What do you miss about Africa?” Her eyes glazed over with tears and she shared with me how much she missed her friends. It was such a powerful reminder to me that although adoption is an amazing gift for both the parents and the child, no matter how bad their situation may have been, they still lose all that they know as “home.”

I just love how God is the divine “weaver”. He weaves the story of our lives to connect with others who share similar stories, so we can encourage others that they are not alone in the journey of life. Not only do we have Him, but He has given us others – friends, acquaintances & strangers that He puts in our lives at just the right time.

Updates:

• Not much to report, all we know is that our paperwork is in Russia
• I have emailed our case worker to ask her what that means as far as a timeline.
• Hopefully next week I’ll be able to give you some more specifics about where we are in the process and what the next few months are going to look like.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for wisdom and speed for our facilitators in Russia – that our paperwork would be processed and moved through the system quickly
• Pray for patience as we wait and trust in God’s timing
• Pray for our finances as we slowly move closer to our goal
• Pray for our little one – that they would be loved, cuddled and sung to

Thanks for being a part of our journey, a part of the weaving that God is doing in our story and how He is using you to encourage and strengthen our hearts! Until next Monday – love, Kate & Steve.