Sweet Discipleship Time

One of the things I am enjoying most about homeschooling my kids is the daily bible study in our routine. It is J's favorite part of school and he and H have different activity books that go along with the story we read that day. I'm using Positive Action bible curriculum, the pre-k and kindergarten work books along with the God's Love bible storybook. I LOVE this bible storybook and think it's the best written kids bible I've come across. The pictures are beautiful and large and each story weaves together in the theme of redemption and need for Jesus' sacrifice for salvation.

Today we were totally off our routine so J and I did homeschool while H napped (we usually do it all together in the morning). It was a really sweet time together and he loved the one on one attention. During bible study, we read the story about the little children coming to Jesus and the disciples trying to turn them away. We talked about why Jesus said all must come to him like these little children in order to go to heaven. That we need to realize our need for Christ and depend on his sacrifice for our sins, not our own ability or good works. He responded with, "well I know I need Jesus, do YOU know you need Jesus mommy?" "Yes, I know I need Jesus." I said. "Well I hope daddy knows he needs Jesus too. Does Hudson know? What about Jeremiah and Tirzah?"

I love the sweet discussion that we get into from the reading of these bible stories and that it makes being intentional in discipling my kids, easier on a daily basis. It's a perk of homeschooling, to just include that time in their day and I hope I can continue to find good material at each age level and that all my kids continue to have enthusiasm for God's word.

If you're looking for a good bible curriculum for your kids, whether you homeschool or not, check out Positive Action. They have curriculum for all ages and are made for churches and home use.

The Long, Hard Wait & Adoption Update

When beginning our adoption process, we were very optimistic and hopeful that all the time lines we'd been given would fall along the short estimates. We, like everyone, hopes for the best and what we think is the best is the easy, smooth, and short path. While the Lord does bless some people with such an adoption journey, that doesn't seem to be the norm. The norm, seems to be a rocky, windy path without an end in sight.

One thing is certain, through all of this experience thus far, the Lord has proven over and again to be with us, to be faithful to His promises, to be our comfort and strength, and able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

We are in a tough season of waiting right now. The path has felt rocky, winding, and the end is not yet in sight. In fact, it feels like the distance just doubled. This has tempted my heart to despair on more than one occasion. What keeps it going? Only a loving Father who gently reminds me that He knows is truly best for Jeremiah and Tirzah, even when I think I know better. I know through this trial, He is teaching us perseverance and deepening our faith and trust in Him. But I hold fear in the back of my mind of how long I can hold on. I know how weak my flesh is, and how quickly I can forget the Ebenezer stones He has put up along this path thus far. So, we need prayers. Not that we'll stay strong, but that when we aren't, His grace will be sufficient and we'll turn to it for comfort. I want to reach the end of this journey (which is the beginning of a whole new one) with a deeper faith, a borderless trust, and a quiet resolve that His grace is always enough for me. Something tells me I'm going to need those refined virtues to begin the journey of being a mom of four young ones.

So here is where we stand now. We are still waiting on birth certificates and one final document from the courts. We were hoping to have these by now, so I could travel to Congo to visit our kids and file our i600 form (petition to US government to recognize our kids as orphans). But, my visas to Congo expires Oct. 25, so it's looking like this isn't going to be an option for us. Once we get our paperwork, we will file the i600 form in the US (by mail). This will take 1-2 months to be approved and upon approval, our 3-6 month investigation with the US Embassy in Kinshasa will begin. (They are investigating to be assured our children are true orphans by US standards). When this investigation is finished, we will be given a visa appointment. Obtaining the visa takes 2-3 months. If at this point, the DGM office in Kinshasa has reopened (they just announced they are shutting down for up to 12 months), then we'll be able to travel to pick up our kiddos. What we hoped could be done this year, is looking more like a year from now. Accepting this in my heart has taken a few weeks, but God has been comforting me and giving me a piece that He is in control and caring for Jeremiah and Tirzah when I can't. We appreciate the prayers and encouragement many have offered to us lately. It is tough, but this long journey is going to have a destination that is so worth it all.