1st Anniversary

The first anniversary of our Log-in Date (LID) in China is today. When I stop to think that we had originally thought that this would be the time of our first anniversary of bringing Anna home, I feel a heavy sense of loss. Yet, I really cannot imagine having three little ones right now. Just as life before Cara and Rhodes seems somewhat unreal, so does life beyond now. I hope this means I am learning to live in the present!
God is certainly using this time to teach me so many things...about Him and about myself, parenting, marriage, life, etc:
Living as a "victim", always blaming others in order to make myself feel better and/or appear better to others, is not something I want to do. I could spend my time blaming the USA governmental agencies for the delays in our paperwork stateside, but then I might miss out on a chance to give Jesus the glory for His providential planning.
Trusting Jesus, that He knows details beyond my capability to know and that He is bringing His will to pass in His own perfect timing, brings a blessed peace to life.
Caring for those who are close to the heart of God is an important part of the Christian life. This unexpected time that I have had with only two toddlers-now-preschoolers has given me a chance to find ways to support ministries to the fatherless, as well as ways to encourage others to do the same. My "business" that allows me to give to Bethany’s international orphan and foster care ministries and to the Sav-A-Life pregnancy test center here in Oxford has begun to produce. Plus, three other ladies involved in adoption/orphan care have been able to sell some items through association with the site. I am so grateful that God is blessing this effort to help not only the fatherless but also other crafters/artists. The past few months have also given me a chance to be involved in helping to start a ministry to the fatherless at our church. Focused initially on education and encouragement of the church body, we are helping the unborn fatherless and their young mothers at Sav-A-Life, children and people involved with foster care, local children’s homes, local and international orphans, and potential adoptive parents. Did you know that the Bible has over 40 verses that either give a directive to care for the fatherless or define God in relation to the fatherless?! James 1:27 puts it this way: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
Having this extra time to devote to John, Cara, and Rhodes has been a gift that I did not expect to view that way. I do long for my daughter Anna; thoughts of her are never far from my mind. However, I am continuing to learn to accept God’s plan. I will have my chance to enjoy Anna, too.
Praise be to God, the Father of the fatherless – we are another year closer to Anna!