One more thing...

Remember how I wrote about Dorie's sweet prayers a few days ago? How she is so thankful for everything?

Here was last night's prayer:

"Dear Jesus, Sank you so much for paper no come for go to America..."

I started to giggle when she said that, and then I stopped. I thought about it. Yes, I need to be thankful that we did not get our visa. God's plans are better than ours. If God let me dictate the events in my life, I'd be in a heap of trouble. I am thankful that He is in control.

So thank You, Lord, that our paper no come!

Worries?

For those of you who have expressed concern over my mental state, thank you. :) I am fine. My faith has not waivered in light of this recent development. If anything, my faith is strengthened.

God does not guarantee an easy path in life. He just promises to be with us and to guide us along the path He has chosen for us. He is guiding me, and even though it's not so simple, I know He is with me. He can see what lies ahead, and He can see what is best for Dorie and for me. So I rest in Him.

If we had gotten the visa yesterday, I would have been singing of His faithfulness. However, the fact that we did not get the visa makes Him no less faithful. One of my favorite scriptures has always been:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

Disappointing Day at the Embassy

I am so thankful that my God is never surprised. That makes days like today bearable.

Our interview at the Embassy seemed to go very well, but the end result is that our file is going to be deemed "not clearly approvable" and will be sent to Nairobi for further review. The estimate is that it will take 30-60 days for a final decision to be made.

God is good and He is in control.

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is THE day...our visa appointment at the Embassy. I am excited. I am nervous. I am overwhelmed.

Please be praying for us. Our appointment is at 2:30pm here, which is 4:30am in California. I certainly don't expect you all to wake up to pray for us (though you are welcome to!), but if you could remember us in your prayers before you go to sleep, we would appreciate it greatly.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day of waiting for the afternoon to roll around!

Jinja

We had such a nice time in Jinja! We had planned to stay for one night, but were having such a great time that we decided to stay for two!

We were able to meet up with some longtime family friends who were on a missions trip. We arrived on Saturday morning and got to spend all afternoon swimming! Dorie is getting so comfortable in the water and would swim every single day if she could. Sunday we went to church and then visited the Amani Baby Cottage. If you've been reading my blog for any time, you know I had originally applied to adopt from there. It was such a sweet time to meet everyone there, and for Dorie and I to hold tiny babies! When we got back to our hotel, Dorie told me, "Mom, you need two girls. Me and the baby." So cute! I told her that I hoped we'd come back and find her a Ugandan sister someday.

On Monday we enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Victoria and at the Source of the Nile. I definitely enjoyed all the birds and butterflies, but Dorie was more interested in latching and unlatching her life vest. We headed back to the swimming pool at our hotel, which overlooked the Nile. Wow! To top it off, they were playing familiar worship tunes!

It was a wonderful couple of days to just be "us." As we were swimming yesterday I looked at Dorie and was amazed at how far we've come. We can just be together and have so much fun!

Heard At My House

Me: Dorie, close your eyes. You need to go to sleep.
Dorie: (silence)
Me: Come on, Dorie, it's late. Go to sleep.
Dorie: Mom, my eyes is say am no tired.

Sweet Prayers

I love to hear Dorie pray. She has a raspy, deep voice. I love it. But the sweetest part is listening to what she has to say to Jesus.

She didn't know how to pray when I first met her. So every night, I would pray. But we had a conversation a few weeks ago, and I told her that praying is just talking to Jesus. I said that she could tell Him anything. Thank Him for what He has given her. Ask Him for what she needs. Now, we both pray. And I am so blessed by her prayers. They are becoming so much more personal and I know our Savior is enthralled with her.

Her prayers start the same every single time:

"Dear Jesus, Sank You so much. Sank you for papers coming for go to America. Sank You Jesus."

That used to be the end.

Tonight, her prayer was long. She just sat and thanked Jesus for every single person she could think of (even herself!). She thanked him for today. She thanked Him for a million little things. And I had a realization: she doesn't ask for anything. She only praises Him for what He's done and what He's going to do. Notice that she is already thanking Him for her visa?

Oh, how I wish I could be more like that with the Lord! I want to thank Him and to be constantly rejoicing in every gift He gives! I want to live in faith that what He has promised, He is faithful to give.

I'd love to hear how the Lord is blessing all of you...would you please post a comment and tell me one thing you thank Jesus for today??