Now that I have vented about the article I previously mentioned, Scott and I have been talking to our agencies these past two weeks. We just wanted to ensure that we were all on the same page and the same team. After talking with them, we are more hopeful that we will get a referral. Nothing has changed in our situation. There is still a great deal of uncertainty and no guarantees that we will get a referral, but we are more hopeful that it could happen sooner rather than later. As someone who has discovered she is pessimistic, I am glad for something a little more hopeful. We will still just be waiting, but Scott and I have been very appreciative of all the support and encouragement we have gotten from our friends and family. It is has been hard at times to open up about what we are going through, but we have not been let down by our friends and family's reactions. Thank you for giving us a listening ear and encouragement - we have needed it. :)
As many of you know, the relationship between the US government and the Vietnamese government is a work in progress. Adoption agencies are working tirelessy to improve and/or continue the two governments' relationship. I read this article US alleges baby-selling in Vietnam, and I can't help but become upset. For all the families waiting on a child from Vietnam, they don't need this kind of press. It really makes me angry that the Associated Press could right this article when it could have deteriminal effects or that the US Embassy would post this study. I wrote the AP a letter. I will be sure to let you know if they reply back.
So we did have our conference call, and some things from previous agency emails were clarified. We understand what the agencies are waiting on and how they will make future decisions, but we didn't get tons of additional information. We just feel confirmed in our current state of waiting. We have looked into suggested back-up plans, and we don't feel that God is calling us to any those. We just feel that it is our time to wait.
The verse from Proverbs 19:21 spoke to me this week. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." You know, Scott and I do have plans, but I'm glad the Lord's purpose prevails. It is His purpose and direction that we are waiting on, and it is His purpose that can be the only right direction for us. Thank you for your prayers and support as we go through this process. It is greatly appreciated.
So, as we continue on this journey, we are realizing our need for guidance and wisdom. We would appreciate your prayers in this area. In the weeks and months ahead, we are surely going to be faced with some tough decisions for which we will definitely need God's wisdom.
We have created a list of questions to ask our agency, and we are having a conference call with our social worker tomorrow. Hopefully, our social worker will be able to answer our questions, but we also might have some information to sort out. We can only wait and see how things go.
I did, however, have an encouraging moment. I posted several months ago a post titled "We're Expecting, Too." Our church decided to put in their March newsletter. A member of our church was able to take the article and give it to her sister who is in a similar situation as Scott and I. The sister obtained my email and said,
"I never realized how much I needed to know someone who was like me....until I read your letter...Thank you for sharing your story. It met me right where I was and God used you to comfort and encourage me. "
I share this with you - not to toot my own horn - but because I was encouraged and greatful that God used something I wrote and that I had found a kindred spirit - even in a stranger. God has truly brought some special people into our lives through our adoption journey. As Scott and I continue through this process, we pray God is able to use us in more ways. Again, we can only wait and see.
