Unsearchable Greatness

I almost haven’t been able to go near the magnitude of what has transpired over the past few days. “Thank you” seems hollow. We’ve done nothing to deserve this participation in His rescue of these two, yet He has invited us in.

I’ve been spinning. Reeling. Twirling. Jumping. Dancing.

Months ago at the height of the pain of waiting, Nate suggested we push back the furniture and dance ... we’re going to dance on our trials. Yet again, our couch is up against the wall. But this time under different circumstances.

And the fact that this all came early, well it only adds to the thrill — I think He wanted to show Himself able. It’s as if I’m Sarah in the Old Testament and he’s just told me that at the time I’m preparing to wind my life down, I will be granted the gift of my youth: a child.

Do you know she laughed when God told her that?

Awkward response. I can relate. Her mind probably flooded with all the reasons why she shouldn’t be the carrier of a story that would only point back to Him. I sometimes imagine how God responds when He gets to give the gift of a lifetime …the one thing that person had taken to His feet time and time again.

When I picture the joy He must have, I can’t help but worship Him. Me — who has a lot more freedom in writing than I do in outward expression (there is safety in hiding behind a blog) — can’t help but squeal with delight.

And I did.

Had the court date happened when it was supposed to, my response to the outcome would have been much more measured. I would have woken up Friday morning, phone glued to my side, prepared to receive either set of news. (I had just heard the night before about a family who had failed court 11 times. It wouldn’t have been unusual to fail this first time and while I prayed with belief that we’d pass I knew in the back of my mind God might, again, choose delay.)

But it came early.

And I was unprepared and unashamed. I jumped up and down around the house with intermittent shouts, like a blow horn at a college football game. (Yes, my agency coordinator was still on the phone at that time.) When I called Nate (who was at a coffee shop) I think it took me three tries to get the words out. And my husband who has much less reserve than I do walked outside, threw his arms in the air and hollered “WOOOOO HOOOO HOOO!” in the middle of downtown (I was actually proud of him that he stepped outside to let out his victory cry ).

All the glory to you, God. What a gift. Eden and Caleb are … ours.

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What Happens Next

So, we’re still in shock. It’s slowly sinking in. And we wait and pray that sweet Eden passes the Tuberculosis test which all children over 2 are required by the US Embassy to take (any children with TB must stay in country for 6 months to receive treatment before coming to the states). We also wait to receive an embassy date at the US consulate in Addis to obtain visas for our kids to bring them home — which will determine when we travel. We are praying God would open doors for us to leave early-July but likely won’t know until a week or two before we get on that plane.

If we travel when we’re hoping to, we essentially have a little over 3 weeks to pack for parenting. I’ve been thinking about sleeping with our to-do list, just so I don’t lose sight of it. Let’s just hope the glow doesn’t wear off before we travel, otherwise my currently patient-with-my-planning husband might choose to send me to Ethiopia early.

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Thank you God for this victory.

Psalm 145: 1-3
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable