Persistence

The end is near.  I don't know when though.  I've been waiting for a judge to review my adoption case and set a date to have an official adoption hearing...for the last four months.  In June, the judge assigned to my case was called out on another assignment and will not return until June 23rd.  How perfect!  I will arriving on the 21st and plan to visit her.  Through my wide range of emotions - I have resolved to be persistent and faithful - here's why:  

Luke 18: 1-8
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

I had to laugh a little at that one.  It's a great story of persistence.  Here's more:

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Luke 11: 5-10
And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

After reading and listening to others talk about these verses, I am encouraged and strengthened.  I also admit that I have felt disappointed, powerless, frustrated and fearful with this process.  I have felt my heart break over and over after each delay and it has tested my faith time and time again.  A lot of people have said, "You are trying to do a good thing so why is it so hard to make it happen?"  I have felt that way too.  I think many truly 'good' things are hard things.  And the reaping may not come immediately.  Still we must persevere in faith.    

Prayer requests:
1.  that the judge would see me on Monday, hear my story, have a heart of compassion for Tonio and schedule a court date in July.
2.  that I would be able to tell Tonio about what is to come - sooner than later.
3.  for a miracle of timing - that I would be able to bring him home with me in August.
4.  for another miracle of not having to miss work for a long period of time and have to go unpaid.  
5.  for wisdom in my pursuit of persistence.
6.  for strength to endure whatever God asks me (and Tonio) to endure.  

Praise:
1.  Tonio's heart is so loving and I really feel that God has prepared him and me especially for one another.
2.  because God will complete the work he started and that He is putting a child together in a family forever.
3.  because God has compelled so many people to give financially and it has allowed his needs to be satisfied.

Below is a sneak peek of the almost finished product.  Thanks to the non-profit Color Your Corner and interior designer Chris Roblin - Tonio will have fresh new room!