24/7 prayer.

To say that our community has gathered around us during our 2+ year adoption process would be an understatement.  

I fail to find the words to express gratitude and thanks to those I both know & don't know for their support, encouragement, prayers and love on our journey to become parents. 

God has taught us a lot & is continuing to refine us during this time & I truly believe that He's doing the same with the people who have gathered around us the past two years. 

I'm reading this amazing book on prayer called The Circle Maker and on page 91 it says this, "It's hard times that teach us to pray hard"  and I can't help but agree.  

and I'm proud to say that it hasn't been just Stephen & I who've learned this truth.  

it's all of you who have covered us in prayer constantly. 

Our good friend, Sid Harper, started an email encouraging our friends + family to sign up for a 24/7 prayer for Camp + Asher until they get home.  He encouraged everyone to pray for at least 5 minutes during their allotted hour, and I'm proud to say that the list is FULL.  

There is someone praying every HOUR of the day, EVERY day for our sweet babies.

and I know that there are more than the 28 people reflected on this list that are praying.

I get messages from people I've never even met that pray with their kids EVERY NIGHT for us.

and the stories about our niece, Rose, praying for camp + asher and "all the other kids who don't have mommies and daddys" make my heart so happy that at 3 years old, Rose has a heart for the orphan.

I can't even begin to know all the people who have prayed for our family.  

but God knows! 

God is at work, and He's at work through our prayers and pleas.

Isaiah 61:7 is a promise that we have circled for our babies.

It says, "Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion, instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot, therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy" 

we are circling it, we are praying it through and praising God for what He's going to do.

I love what Mark Batterson says in the Circle Maker,  "The promises of God are like that tree in the middle of the lake.  They are the difference between sinking and swimming because they give you a place to stand"  

We are standing on the promises of God.

We believe that God is good, that He is for us & He is faithful.

We also want to be real in this process.  It's tough.  We are in a difficult season of waiting and God is refining us in this season.  We are focusing on our health, on resting, and on what God is trying to teach us.  and it's not easy.  some days are easier than others, but some days are extremely difficult.  

and it's really taught me that you never know what someone is going through fully, so give grace to everyone you meet.  

that's what I'm asking for - grace.

grace in not responding to every message, grace in not being full available to meet for coffee/lunch or have a phone date, grace in being too overwhelmed and empty to pour out.  

thank you for letting me be real.

thank you for praying.

thank you for pouring INTO my life.

I receive all of it in Jesus name! 

I promise that when we find out that we are cleared for embassy - the world will know.  I won't be able to hold it in!  But until then, keep praying and know that God is drawing us all near to Him.

We love you all so much!!