Once a quarter we have the wonderful privilege of making a trip to Omaha. Carlon is on the board of Grace University and that means I get to spend quality time with my daughter and son in law and grandsons! We generally get to visit the Children's Museum and the fabulous Henry Doorley Zoo, eat a couple of great meals out - Smash Burger, La Casa Pizza, and have Saturday morning donuts from Mrs. Olson's shop in "Little Italy" where my husband grew up. Truly the most amazing donuts anywhere! I love my daughter and son in law's home - a grand old 100 year old two story in the historic Hanscomb Park neighborhood. It's right down the road from Gerald Ford's birthplace, close to downtown - with character hard to find in the suburbs. I love taking walks when we are there - tree covered streets and sidewalks, squirrels that have the run of the neighborhood (people actually attach squirrel feeders to their trees!), homes of all shapes and colors and sizes (some have picket fences enclosing their front yards) and rich with stories from a long forgotten era. It's sometimes loud (they live on a bus route and thoroughfare) and yet, peaceful. I love it.
The past two years, Mary and Aaron have been on an international adoption journey. Almost a year ago they were matched with a little baby girl who was chosen just for them. They awaited word for when they could travel thousands of miles and many hours and finally meet their little girl. The time came, they stood before a judge - only to be told they were not approved and their return visit to bring her home put on hold. Not because of anything lacking on their part but because of an investigation that put all adoptions on hold. So, sadly yet hopeful, they returned home - and continued to wait and pray for an end to the investigation and word that they were approved and could bring their baby home. Maybe we're not exercising enough faith - maybe we should fast - maybe we need to pray for her more diligently - maybe we're not claiming promises - maybe our doubts are getting in the way - maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe. Maybe God isn't listening. Maybe....God doesn't care. And then, word came that the investigation was over! Those waiting for adoptions to be finalized would finally get to bring their babies home - just a few more days, maybe just a few weeks. One by one, friends they met on this journey were approved, but still no word about their baby. And then, another snag - another dilemma, one their case worker had never experienced, only heard about. Rare. Really God? More prayers - another crisis solved and more problems averted. But still they wait, with hearts that ache to once again hold their baby girl. Her room is all ready with carefully chosen decorations both old and new, a reflection of a lifetime of hopes and dreams. One of my favorite things are the pastel butterflies that seem to be flying away above her crib. Butterflies - new life, freedom - hope! Her birthday is coming up. This baby will soon be a toddler! We hang on to what we know is true - God is good. He may be silent for now, but He is good. He loves our little girl with a love that is humanly impossible to comprehend. And - He loves us too. The grand old house in the beautiful old neighborhood with a very special family is ready, along with an entire community of relatives and friends who have never met but already love her. So we rest in His silence and continue waiting- for Hope.
Update: The very morning I published this post, Mary called with the news that their adoption papers had been signed!! Hope belongs to them now. Her birthday is today, July 30!! Happy Birthday little Hope Bezualem Shaul!
The past two years, Mary and Aaron have been on an international adoption journey. Almost a year ago they were matched with a little baby girl who was chosen just for them. They awaited word for when they could travel thousands of miles and many hours and finally meet their little girl. The time came, they stood before a judge - only to be told they were not approved and their return visit to bring her home put on hold. Not because of anything lacking on their part but because of an investigation that put all adoptions on hold. So, sadly yet hopeful, they returned home - and continued to wait and pray for an end to the investigation and word that they were approved and could bring their baby home. Maybe we're not exercising enough faith - maybe we should fast - maybe we need to pray for her more diligently - maybe we're not claiming promises - maybe our doubts are getting in the way - maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe. Maybe God isn't listening. Maybe....God doesn't care. And then, word came that the investigation was over! Those waiting for adoptions to be finalized would finally get to bring their babies home - just a few more days, maybe just a few weeks. One by one, friends they met on this journey were approved, but still no word about their baby. And then, another snag - another dilemma, one their case worker had never experienced, only heard about. Rare. Really God? More prayers - another crisis solved and more problems averted. But still they wait, with hearts that ache to once again hold their baby girl. Her room is all ready with carefully chosen decorations both old and new, a reflection of a lifetime of hopes and dreams. One of my favorite things are the pastel butterflies that seem to be flying away above her crib. Butterflies - new life, freedom - hope! Her birthday is coming up. This baby will soon be a toddler! We hang on to what we know is true - God is good. He may be silent for now, but He is good. He loves our little girl with a love that is humanly impossible to comprehend. And - He loves us too. The grand old house in the beautiful old neighborhood with a very special family is ready, along with an entire community of relatives and friends who have never met but already love her. So we rest in His silence and continue waiting- for Hope.
Update: The very morning I published this post, Mary called with the news that their adoption papers had been signed!! Hope belongs to them now. Her birthday is today, July 30!! Happy Birthday little Hope Bezualem Shaul!
No comments:
Post a Comment