Valleys and Mountains

An adoption journey is never just a stroll through the park, an amble across the prairie, or a meander along the beach.

No, it's more like a perilous climb in a mountain range with dangerous cliffs appearing right under your feet where you were just about to step. It has its amazing highs, as you stand on a peak and get an amazing view--a rush--an absolute euphoria. Sometimes you feel just this close to the absolute top--like you could just burst right through the clouds.

At other times, you feel like you're right down in a valley, surrounded by insurmountable mountainsides. It kind of looks like you might as well just settle where you're at, and not worry about continuing on, or climbing higher. Admittedly, a valley can be lush and beautiful and the presence of God is just as evident as when you're perched on a peak. But the valley wasn't the original destination.

And we're in a valley right now. We heard from the lawyer today that Cleara's mother is now trying to discourage Cleara from making an adoption plan and wants to take the baby home from the hospital. In some situations, this might be a good thing for a child to stay with a member of her birthfamily--but I'm not getting that vibe in this particular situation. I don't want to go into details now, because should the Lord still bring this baby into our family, it will be HER story, and HER privacy. But suffice it to say this grandmother has not provided a good environment for her children, they have spent time in the foster system because of choices she has made, and it just breaks my heart to think of more children in her "care".

So, we are in praying mode, confident that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). He is fully in control, and we are praying that His will would be accomplished in this baby's life. Would you join us, please?