Waiting through the storm from afar...

Tonight I have a mother's heart that is feeling so incredibly helpless. As I sit in the safety of my home in Maine, my heart aches for a country thousands of miles away. A country that is home to a precious child that our family has been praying for and waiting to bring here to make this her forever home. The reality of the heartache of the adoption wait has amped up beyond a point I thought possible.The reality that at this point in the process we cannot meet the basic needs of our child. We have to rely on others to do so and trust that God has this...whatever "this" may be.

The past couple days have been consumed with thoughts of what Hurricane Michael will do to a country that has a hold on our hearts. As difficult as it has been to hear the news and wait for the storm to hit, I know the next few days will be even more difficult to endure. I have stalked just about every page tonight that has been providing updates. It has been helpful to at least hear what is happening from those on the ground. My suspicion is that over the next few days we will not be hearing from those in Haiti due to power outages and lack of phone and internet service.

I am thankful to all who have reached out to share that they are praying for our family and our daughter. I do believe that the orphanage that she is at is well constructed to weather the storm. My concern is recovering after the storm and getting needed supplies. My heart is also heavy for people that we have met while in Haiti or through this process that may be significantly impacted by this storm. I do not know all of their circumstances, so I can only hope and pray that they are able to seek safe shelter tonight, tomorrow and in the days ahead. I am praying that somehow despite the predictions of the impact of this storm God performs a miracle and spares Haiti from significant damage and destruction.

This storm is also a reminder that we are not in control of any part of this process. Just last week we were hopeful and excited to possibly get our adoption decree within the next month or two. At this point our prayer has shifted from getting our decree to keeping our paperwork (and that of so many other families waiting) dry and safe. I shudder to think about the impact of significant flooding to IBESR, courts and government offices and what that might do to so many timelines that have been oh so close to that next step. It feels so selfish to think about the paperwork, but it has been a long, hard journey for so many of us and that paperwork is our lifeline to getting our kids home.

As I read updates on Facebook that share that winds and rain are picking up now, I am reminded that the important thing right now is the safety of those in Haiti right now. I will continue to pray without ceasing for the safety of our girl, her friends and all those caring for her. I will hang on to the words of Psalm 91 that promise protection as I trust in my God.

Thank you again to everyone who is praying with us. I apologize ahead of time for excessive posting that may come from me in days to come.