A few weeks ago, I shared the news that Michael Luke and I are in the process of adopting a child from Colombia. Two weeks ago, as we were wrapping up the home study part of the process, we encountered a bump in the road.
We would not be able to adopt from Colombia.
It definitely took us by surprise and took a couple of hours before it could really sink in. Anyone who has adopted before will tell you that the road is not easy. And while we didn’t expect ours to be any different, I guess we didn’t think we would encounter trouble so quickly.
To some people it may not seem like a big deal. So what? So you can’t adopt from Colombia… there are still plenty of other countries to choose from. It’s not like you had already matched with a child.
But you see, it was a big deal to us at the time. We were looking forward to traveling to Colombia, immersing ourselves into the culture, and then incorporating part of that into our family life, so that our child could celebrate it’s Colombian heritage. Over the past 8 months or so, we had fallen in love with Colombia.
In the midst of all the shock and sadness, God began to speak to us. We realized that God knew all along we would never adopt from Colombia yet still had us travel this path for a reason. If we allowed ourselves to question the “what if’s,” we allowed ourselves to doubt our faith in God.
He is sovereign!
He reminded me of my favorite verse… my life verse Habakkuk 2:3.
God also brought me closer to Him through this. I think beforehand I wasn’t really leaning on Him to fully direct us through the process. I wasn’t placing my complete faith in Him.
I have found comfort in Psalm 136 where I am reminded to give thanks to God because His love endures forever.
Source: lovebakesgoodcakes.com via Krystle @ Color Transformed Family on Pinterest
Psalm 136
English Standard Version (ESV)
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
The words are beautiful and such a comfort now. Michael Luke and I were saddened of the news that Colombia was not meant for us, but now we rejoice in God and look forward to what He has planned for us. He is faithful, and we want to be faithful to Him!
We are still praying about what country He is leading us to adopt from. We do, however, have a heart for and feel called to adopt from Latin America. I will definitely keep you informed as we move forward and as we select a country.
I realize this is a really long post, and I am thankful if you are still reading it. You may not have time now, but maybe you can steal a minute later in the day to watch the video below. I can’t read Psalm 136 without hearing the song “Forever God is Faithful” in my head. The song is beautiful and filled with all kinds of references to scripture. It’s such a great reminder of His faithfulness as we approach the last week before Thanksgiving.
Now it’s your turn. Link up your post sharing what you are thankful for. Not a blogger but still thankful? No worries, leave a comment below sharing what you are thankful. I look forward to hearing from everyone. It is such a blessing each week!
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Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about this. I know you will find a different place to find your next little one! I must say the children in Guatemala were BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks Kelly. Guatemala sounds great but our adoption agency is only working with Colombia, Peru, and the Domincan Republic right now. We are leaning more towards Peru now… mainly because we aren’t old enough for the DR yet.
This is the one thing that scares me so much about adoption! I know it’s a difficult process and I know adoption is for us, but I can’t help but want to timidly back away when I hear the negative stories. Good for you guys for having peace about everything though!
Adoption can have a lot of unknowns but only to us. God already nows how it all works out. I look forward to seeing where he leads y’all with adoption… don’t back away, face it boldly knowing God is there with you.
Krystle, I’m so sorry that Colombia did not work out; I know this must have been hard to face. I am grateful that you are approaching this with such faith.
Thanks for the reminder of slowly, steadily, SURELY. I need it!!
Thanks Richella! That’s my favorite part of the verse! Sometimes I am so impatient everything seems slow but God is always on time.
What a disappointment this must have been. I am so sorry, but am inspired by the way you are clinging to your Father! You will get just the child he has for you at just the right time!
Thank you! His timing is perfect and we can’t argue with that. It was disappointing in the beginning but now we are looking forward towards the plans God has for us. I just pray that we continue to seek His guidance during the entire process and that this would ultimately bring us closer to Him.
Just pray about it, Krystle, and ask that God lead you and Michael Luke Ito the right child no matter where he or she comes from. The child is what’s important. Once you know the child, the knowledge of their culture can come later. I will be praying for the right child for your family as well. God Bless you all.
Thank you! We definitely feel so much peace about it because we know that God is leading us where He wants us. It’s hard to argue with His plans. I do appreciate your prayers as we continue to work towards bringing our next child home.
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