.Meetcha Day & Swirling Thoughts.

I have been anticipating being able to share our very own "Meetcha Day" video, and here it is! Please scroll down and pause my music player on the right hand side bar before playing it. I am so thankful for the sweet families in our travel group who captured the unforgettable moment when we met our brown-eyed boy. I will treasure these forever.



Please feel free to share this video. It was through seeing a video like this, among other things, that God used to prick our hearts and open our eyes last year. We are praying that God would use our story and continue the domino affect - all for His glory!

Now I am greatly anticipating bringing Jamesy home, and having Jim create a video on our entire journey - from God pricking our hearts last January all the way through to the airport homecoming party. Oooh, I cannot wait! It's going to be a feature-length film! {grin}

I have been asked to share exactly what has transpired over the past few days with us passing court. So I am going to try, but know that my words cannot ever express all that is in my heart. I know I have already posted some of this, but bear with me, because I want this all to be in one place for my son to read some day.

When we were in Ethiopia, Jim and I had our first court date, but we could not pass because of a missing letter of reccomendation from MOWA (Ministry of Womens Affairs in Ethiopia). When we arrived home we were told that our second court date was scheduled for February 8th - Tuesday. We were a little discouraged to learn that it was two weeks after our first date, but we hoped and prayed that the time would give MOWA the opportunity to write our letter. However, we received this email last Thursday from our travel coordinator.

Dear James and Tiffany,

I am writing to let you know that MOWA has announced they are moving their file rooms and will not be able to process any adoption paperwork until they re-open on Tuesday, February 8th. As they typically write recommendation letters 24 hours before the court date, we do not anticipate your family’s recommendation letter will be written which means you will not pass court at your scheduled date next week.

We are sorry to have to share this news and will do all we can to have your court date rescheduled for the soonest possible date. We will confirm MOWA not writing your recommendation letter to you next week and will let you know when your next court date has been scheduled. I know this has been a long road for your family and we are praying daily for peace for your family as you wait to bring your child home.

As always, please do not, hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I know questions arise out of difficult news and we will do all we can to provide you with answers during this time. Please continue to join us in praying for your family to pass soon and for continual trust in God’s timing in light of this difficult situation.

I was crushed upon reading this, and immediately went to prayer asking God to have our third court date rescheduled quickly - not two weeks later after this one. Jim and I told everyone that we would not pass and to pray for a quick third appointment. A few months ago I received a book to read and write a book review on Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. I packed it to read on the plane to Ethiopia. I had other books with me though, so I never got to that one. I didn't actually start reading it until last week. On Sunday night I was reading about the account (which the book is built around) of Joshua from Joshua chapter 10. The Israelites were trying to claim the Promised Land, but they first had to battle five Amorite armies. Joshua decided to strike these armies first - before they had a chance to strike the Israelites - so all night long he marched his armies toward the enemy. Joshua and his men were able to surprise attack the Amorites, and they fought hard all day long - battling well and strong. God even became supernaturally involved by reigning hailstones on the enemy when they tried to flee! Evening rapidly came, and Joshua knew that if they did not finish the battle the Amorites would get away under the cover of night. So he begged God to make the sun stand still so that they could finish the battle victoriously, and God did the impossible!

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since....Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (Joshua 10:13-14)

I went to bed Sunday night with this fresh in my mind. On Monday morning I awoke under a strong conviction. From the moment I opened my eyes, I felt as if I was being chastised for my unbelief. I kept thinking about the story of Joshua, and how he dared to ask God for the impossible. I knew that I had to get on my knees and quickly change my prayers, so I did just that. I begged God to forgive my unbelief, and do what seemed so impossible on our behalf. Our court appointment was to take place that evening while we slept, so I felt a sense of urgency. I talked with Jim about my convictions, and he agreed right away that he felt we should pray the same way. Then I got a completely uncharacteristic idea to invite anyone to our home who wanted to join us in prayer that evening. Jim agreed (and looked at me as if I had gone crazy!) and I quickly put a note up on facebook. I texted friends and family, and people rallied behind us - praying the impossible would be made possible with God.

Because the meeting was so-last minute, our family members all had plans and most of our friends as well. My dear friend, who could not attend because of a prior commitment, started praying that God would send us just who we needed to pray with us and who needed to be there. At 6:00 the doorbell rang only once, and the person that has taken every single painful, beautiful step of this journey was standing there. She had sacrificed an hour of time with her family, and had come to petition God and support us. At first I was disappointed that no one else showed, but what transpired was the most beautiful, intimate prayer time. I know God met us in our living room that night, and thinking back it was absolultely perfect and ordained that he would choose her to join us.

Right before we went to the throne, I had an epiphany. I realized that although I had been praying all day for God to do the impossible for us, I still was not believing it would actually happen. I was so afraid to put myself out there and look foolish, or worse yet make my God look foolish. But in that moment I knew exactly how God wanted me to pray - pray believing without even the possibility that He would not come through. I felt very strongly that he wanted me to be vocal about it as well. It was in that instance that I knew the same God that had defied science for Joshua could certainly push the pen of MOWA and land our letter on the judges desk in Ethiopia. From that point on I prayed truly believing that we were going to pass.

It was amazing to see the outpouring of love from hundreds of people all over the country that were praying with us for God to do the impossible. Every time I got on facebook, opened my email, or answered the phone tears would flow from the beautiful words and prayers of love and support. God was moving in His people and uniting believers to pray on our behalf.

I could not sleep that night, but it was not from nerves - I was excited! I kept saying to Jim we are going to pass court tomorrow! When I awoke that morning (at 4 to pray) I posted on facebook that it was going to be a great day. All I had to do was wait for that phone call from Kristen. At 9:30 AM, it came! It is a day and a phone call I will never forget, and I am still flying high from hearing the words You passed. He is your son.

As I continue to chew on and mull over what transpired I am more and more overcome with how undeserving we are, and with how it truly had nothing to do with us. We did not trust God more, or pray harder than the other families who did not pass court. It truly has NOTHING to do with us. It was and is all about God, and all about God showing His power, His love, His glory, and so, so much more than I probably have yet to realize. I am humbled that God would allow us to be a part of this story, but we are just a part, and not a bigger part than any other person that prayed for God to move mountains for His orphan on Monday night.

The verse that keeps coming to mind since Tuesday is Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

And that is what I am praying through the telling of this story, that it is made completely evident Who we serve, and that many would put their trust in Him.