Something Positive

I know my last several posts haven't been very positive - at least they are truthful and fully express the range of emotions felt during this adoption process. Twice recently the Lord has reminded me with two different scriptures that I should be thankful and praising God for these difficult times.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I pray that I am learning perseverance in my walk with God, and that my faith is being increased. I also pray that GOD is glorified through this entire process.

For those of you who don't know everything about our lives, Wes just opened a new business last week - an auto repair shop named Christian Brothers Automotive. It's a franchise, so you may have heard of it. So far things are going great, and we are both so thankful. We are thrilled the Lord has blessed us SO much for so many reasons. It really hit me that as frustrating and difficult this adoption paperwork is, that I should be SO thankful for all the ways God is blessing us. He's blessed us to be able to open the business and complete our adoption in the same year!!!!! Not without a lot of stress, but how awesome is that??!! The hymn sung at church on Sunday really hit home. Here are the lyrics that definitely apply to my life right now:

Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

So, on an even more positive note, I received an email this morning from my family coordinator with pictures of our little boy at his bday party :) He was so precious, and has changed since we saw him in Jan. His hair had grown a little more, and he looked like he had put on a little weight! He looked like he enjoyed his balloons, and his cake looked awesome!! I had asked for our facilitators to take some cake and/or presents to him for his bday, but this was the first I had heard about whether they were able to do so. It made my week!!!!