Adoption - Part 7

I know it’s been quite some time, and there have been a lot of twists and turns lately in our adoption process and we’ve been waiting to see how things would settle before giving an update. First of all, we are so thankful to all who have prayed for us throughout this past year. It means so much to us and we are so grateful that you'd come alongside us and encourage us as you have.

We received some unexpected news last month that we were denied approval to adopt from Costa Rica as we had planned. Everything in the process had gone smoothly up unto this point and once we were at the point of waiting to receive word of approval any day and then enter the matching phase, we instead received word that they denied approval of our family because of a disagreement they have with some of our convictions and rather than asking for more detail, they chose to deny approval for us to adopt from their country.

Our next step was to see if there would be a different country that we could transfer our paperwork to within our adoption agency, however after praying about that and waiting for guidance for our agency, we found out we'd have to start the adoption process almost entirely over again and it didn't seem like the Lord was leading us toward pursuing adoption from one of the countries they suggested for a variety of reasons, mostly because of the logistics such as how long you have to be in the country, etc.

That said, there has definitely been sadness at this news, but God has given us great peace and joy to rest in His sovereignty and goodness, when things go according to our plans and when they don’t. He is so much wiser and we’re thankful for the opportunity to find our delight in Him and not just in fulfilled desires. We are trusting this is all a part of His plan for our family!

Since finding all of this out, He has graciously brought about many conversations and a clear leading toward a completely different path of pursuing domestic foster to adopt here in Kentucky. So this is now the direction we are walking as a family. We are grateful for how He has closed doors and how He continues to guide us so faithfully and lovingly. I keep thinking of the words to an old hymn, “Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord”:

Thy way, not mine, O Lord
However dark it be
Lead me by Thine own hand
Choose out the path for me, for me

Smooth let it be or rough
It will still be the best
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest

I dare not choose my lot
I would not, if I might
Choose Thou for me, my God
So I can walk aright

Not mine, not mine the choice
In all things great or small
Be Thou my guide, my strength
my wisdom and my all

- Horatius Bonar

We will continue to give updates as things progress - thank you again for your prayers and kindness toward our family!