encouragement and perspective

I've shared before that we have the most uh-mazing community. On. The. Planet. We've gotten all sorts of messages and phone calls and words of encouragement since loosing our referral last week. I want to share some of them here - I think they may be encouraging to some of you as well!

"I am praying for you today, for your heart, and for the child(ren) out there whom God already knows need your family. I also thank Him that He saw fit to allow this child to remain with a family who wanted and loves him. Adoption and orphan care is complex and riddled with bittersweet emotions, for both adoptees and their families. God uses the adoption process and journey to sanctify us as much as He uses it to provide homes to the children in need! Hugs to you!"

"After I talked to you last week and got the update on the orphanage I just kept thinking about the adoption path that God has had you on....all I could think was about Esther. Why the heck are you guys in the Congo??? Well, obviously, for such a time as this. Praise God that you have not turned a blind eye to the horrible info that you found. Praise God that you and your friends were praying for G to be safe and to get out of that place. It makes me Praise God for your faithfulness to where He has brought you. I will continue to pray that G is truly safe with his family."

"I heard about the kid you were trying to adopt. That sucks. But, it's kinda cool that because you were trying to adopt him, they found his family. How awesome would it be, if the next kid you try to adopt they find their family, and the next one and the next one? All because you are trying to adopt one kid."

That last note is from a dude:-) But yes, how awesome it would be indeed if we could pray home half a dozen kids. Including one who eventually ends up in our home!