Painting

IHNFA reviewed our dossier & has asked for a new letter from the consulate and a more in-depth letter regarding my employment. I almost panicked about the consulate letter as Atlanta is 5 hours away, and we have already been once. In the past it has been difficult to contact anyone there.The first thing I did was email a few prayer warriors and ask them to pray specifically that we could get this taken care of easily. I think "easily" was a big leap...we're talking about the government here. But God has shown himself mighty and we should have our new letter in the hands of our friend, Joe, in the morning. Joe works a few minutes from the consulate and he is helping us out---again, along with his precious wife Kelly who will mail that beautiful piece of paper to us.

I painted the boys room this week. I hate to paint. I'm no good at it. I like to begin projects but become easily bored, and painting isn't something I can shove into a closet, shut the door and forget about. The worst part is prepping- moving furniture, washing walls, removing hardward. I just want to start and get it over with- I was tempted to just paint around door knobs and skip cleaning the dust from the corners. But I did it the right way and as I did I thought about our adoption journey. It hasn't been fun so far. It has been stressful. My insides feel tight and doubt creeps into my head... did we choose the right country? is this the right time? do we really want to do this? is it ever going to happen? And then I am reminded of the paint prepping, and I know God is preparing us for something- I mean someone- really beautiful. The boys' room isn't perfect, I have already chipped paint and I even see a few tiny spots in the carpet, but it's pretty and clean. And it's a lot like this journey we are on, it's not fun but we have faith that what God started in us he will finish to his own glory.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Dont think you're going to get anything from the maker that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

James 1:5-8 (The Message)