The past 2 days the song "It Might be Hope" has been on replay literally and figuratively. It is a Sara Groves song. I love it. I love the melody. I love the words. I love the feeling I have when I sing along at the top of my lungs in harmony with Sara. And, I love the hope.
With the Government offices about to re-open following the Chinese New Year my excitement at the conclusion of last week was growing. Finally new hope that we could begin to make progress with the paper work. The excitement climaxed today when I opened my inbox to discover that we have a court date. I really had pretty much given up on even receiving the date until late this week or next week since the offices are just now starting to function.
O.k., so here is what needs to happen to bring Maren home. There still is a lot.
We need a home-study with a Taiwanese social worker to be completed on Maren.
We need a home-study with a Taiwanese social worker to be completed on Maren's mom.
We need the judge to issue a 1st decree and then a 2nd decree. Following the 2nd decree we will be allowed to travel.
Maren will have an adoption physical.
Maren will need a passport photo.
All of these things will take place some where between 4 weeks and 4 months following our court date. We ask you for your prayers and we appreciate them. We could travel at the earliest end of March/beginning of April or it could be end of June/beginning of July.
Maren's mom will be going to court with the missionaries who are administrating our adoption. Please pray for her. I cannot imagine what this chapter of her life story feels like. It must be one of the darkest and most painful. I am sure she wishes that she could go back and do some big time editing. Thankfully, God is the one writing her story. I know that His love never ends. I know His love is new every morning and so there is hope. I know that her pain will not be wasted and He has the power to heal.
Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.
Psalm 137:3
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
"You've been here, for a long, long time. But, hope has a way of turning it's face to you just when you least expect it. Walk in a room, look out a window, and something there leaves you breathless. You say to yourself, "it's been a while since I felt this and it feels like it might be hope."-Sara Groves (It Might be Hope)
Hoping with you, Beth. I'll prob think of you guys now when I hear that song, which is pretty often.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristen. Pray for Maren's mom when you hear the song if you think of it. She has had a rough life. My heart aches for her. I hope that Hope sneaks up on her and changes her life. I hope that Maren's adoption will be a turning point for her. I hope she will have beauty for ashes and gladness for mourning.
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