Working my Fingers to the Bone & News of Our Girl

Since our last post, we have gone in to the ASC office twice. The first time, we were turned away by a young clerk who seemed to enjoy his position of power, while those who would have been able to quickly take our prints sat unoccupied discussing their upcoming lunch breaks over their cubicle walls. Tax dollars at work. Fantastic. The second time, (our actual appointment), everything went smoothly except for the actual fingerprinting. Apparently, I have worked too much with my hands and that has affected my prints. I have deep, vertical grooves that caused as many as ten rolling attempts on a few fingers. The sweet, elderly lady who helped me said that she thought it should be fine, but I have a gut feeling that they may be rejected farther up the line. Please pray that they will pass. I don't care if they actually pass on their own rough-looking merit or if it requires that someone up the chain has an off day and just sends it through. I'd be okay with that!

We were unable to have our documents apostilled last week, but have now received everything we need in order to do that tomorrow. It'll be nice to mark that off our to-do list.

The fundraising has started and is absolutely exhausting - by my own doing. We felt confirmation from the Lord early on in the process that He would provide the funds to bring our daughter home. As we have prepared for some of the fundraisers, wanting to be good stewards of our time and resources, I have found myself taking the role of God upon myself, as if I could ever accomplish what He can simply speak into existence! He has gently reminded me that He has called me to take on His burden, which is light and easy, and that I should simply cast my cares upon Him because He cares for me. What a wonderful, gracious God we serve!!!


Last year at Summer camp during visit from missionaries


Michael got to meet some folks this last week who are involved in orphan care ministry in our girl's country. He showed them a picture of our daughter and they recognized her and had good things to say! We've also made contact with a young lady who went on a short-term missions trip last summer and posted pictures of the camp they hosted for the orphans. Our girl was featured in a number of the pictures! This missionary told us that our girl stood out very strongly because she hadn't been hardened like most of the other orphans and that she was sweet and a good helper to the younger children with special needs. She also said that our girl stayed close to the missionaries during worship and would even sing and raise her hands. What a blessing to know that the Lord has been watching over and sheltering our girl all these years! He has seen her hurts and struggles. He was there when she was unloved by those who should have loved her the most. He has protected her heart from becoming cold and unfeeling. He has extended grace to her to be able to care for those less fortunate than she. "He was sent to console those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." What a beautiful Savior and Redeemer!!!



This Summer - so patient with the baby