He hears

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. psalm 10:17-18

I am sure you have heard by now what has been going on in the world of Ethiopia adoptions. The confirmation yesterday of the news to cut adoption processing by close to 90% left me shocked and heartbroken. Heartbroken for those families who have experienced corruption or fraud in their adoptions- which is what this decision seems to be about, and of course heartbroken for all of the families who have children who wait.

The effects of this decision are yet to be known, as today was apparently the first day they were going to begin processing only 5 cases/day as opposed to 40-50/day. In our case, if the government really goes through with this, our N and M will have long "aged-out" before they would even have the chance to be adopted. It is unfathomable to think of how many older children will sit in orphanages and no longer have the possibility of a family because of this.

If you haven't signed the petition yet please do right now. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html


Yesterday I was a mess. I cried out to the LORD many many times and yet I still went through the day in fear, depression, even anger. You can imagine all that was going through my head and heart and I just couldn't seem to shake it. Randy and I talked for a long time about it all last night and he is feeling kind of numb about everything. If you know us and all that has happened not only with this situation but throughout our lives, it seems as though EVERY time we begin to walk by faith and follow what we think is God's call- something happens to end it. I mean every time. It is exhausting and confusing. Are we not hearing Him correctly? Or if I am honest, my thoughts are more "does He even hear me when I cry out to Him?"

The psalms are my comfort in times like these and today I have chosen to believe Him at His Word and ask Him to give ear to my prayer and my cry for help. I do not know what the future holds and if I think about it for too long it really does terrify me. But if I truly believe what the scripture says then I know that when the Lord says DO NOT FEAR close to 365 times in the Bible, He means it! He will protect me, answer me, be with me, deliver me, command his angels concerning me, be my shield, my comforter, my refuge, my deliverer, my stronghold, and my SALVATION.

It is easy to say we believe. To say we trust. To say we will follow Him no matter what the cost.

But actions show the proof that we believe what we say.

I know in my mind that He hears me. But am I living like that?

Will you trust Him with me today?

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; 
   turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. 
 Show me the wonders of your great love, 
   you who save by your right hand 
   those who take refuge in you from their foes. 
 Keep me as the apple of your eye; 
   hide me in the shadow of your wings 
 from the wicked who are out to destroy me, 
   from my mortal enemies who surround me.
psalm 17:6-9

I love you, LORD, my strength.

  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

  I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
   and I have been saved from my enemies. 

psalm 18:1-3

But I cry to you for help, LORD;
   in the morning my prayer comes before you. 

psalm 88:13

As for God, his way is perfect:
   The LORD’s word is flawless;
   he shields all who take refuge in him.
 For who is God besides the LORD?
   And who is the Rock except our God?
 It is God who arms me with strength
   and keeps my way secure. 

 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
   he causes me to stand on the heights.
 He trains my hands for battle;
   my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
 You make your saving help my shield,
   and your right hand sustains me;
   your help has made me great.
 You provide a broad path for my feet,
   so that my ankles do not give way.
psalm 18:30-36



Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High 
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, 
   my God, in whom I trust.”
psalm 91:1-2