The Latest

 It's been a tough week. We found out on Monday that the reason we didn't get a court date was because there is a document that is missing from our file. Basically, we need the written approval of the district court where our boys are from and it hasn't come in yet. The courts have been closed for what seems like almost a month now. I still don't fully understand when they exactly closed or when they are re-opening (which I thought they had already done but I was wrong), so that is why there has been a delay in getting the written approval and ultimately the delay in the court date.  


Apparently when they re-open- hopefully on Monday- they are supposed to submit the approval letter we need. And then- hopefully- we will get a court date. 


Please pray that this happens.


And we haven't seen a new picture of our babies in seven weeks. We miss them. We really, really, really want to go see them and to have the legal portion of this process finalized. We want them to be home sleeping in their cribs, playing in the bathtub, and pushing their toy cars around on the floors. You can also pray that this happens soon- it feels like we've got miles and miles to go before this is all over, and with our track record, we're going to have to double, triple, and even quadruple the already-too-long estimated time frames. Please pray that the last portion of this process actually speeds along and goes quicker than expected. That'd be a nice change of pace.   


Despite the heaviness, I am thankful for Psalm 103, which has been a constant companion this week. 

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.

 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

 He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

 as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

 As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

 For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

 As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting 

to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children's children,

 to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,

obeying the voice of his word!

 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!

 Bless the Lord, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!