Keep a Good Memory

I keep a running document on our computer titled “What God Has Done”. I add bullet points to the list when I feel especially blessed. I don't ever want to forget those moments!

There are times when I’m just feeling distance from God and wondering why in the world He has me where I am…  That’s when I open up the document. When I look back and see all that He has done on my behalf, I’m reminded that He isn’t finished with me. The God who did all of those things in the past is the same, faithful God who is continuing to work for the good of those who love Him right now… even when I don’t see Him or feel Him.

In looking back, it hit me that I never blogged about one of our key moments when the adoption was being finalized last fall. So let me share!

We had traveled overseas for a court date – the expectation was that we would meet with a judge who would finalize the adoptions. We planned on a week-long trip, thinking that had enough contingency time if the court session was prolonged in some way.

Day One – no ruling

Day Two – no ruling

Day Three – no ruling… and so on.   

The sessions were only partially in English and we were never directly addressed. So it was a bit confusing and definitely frustrating.  After a week, Chad had to return to the States. I stayed on indefinitely, praying for everything to come together.

Coloring during our long waits at the court house. 

On our fourth appearance before the judge, he became agitated with one of the testimonies. There was miscommunication on a city of birth and this woman’s verbal responses didn’t match her documentation. She couldn’t read, so she was never aware of the misprint on the paperwork. It was a heated, circular conversation in the judge’s chambers. He abruptly stopped the session, sent us away and said he’d make a decision the next day.  

So I’m basically pacing a hotel room for 24 hours, praying for this judge to graciously grant the adoption and give these kids a family… I get a call the next morning that the judge is ready to rule and is expecting myself, the children and all witnesses from the past 2 weeks to be in attendance immediately. I FREAKED. The kids were not with me – and everyone else was at least an hour’s drive away. None of us were aware that we were required in court!

My facilitator came squealing into the hotel parking lot to pick me up and rush to the courthouse. We were alone, ill prepared and so anxious! As we ran up the court house steps, my attorney came walking out of the judge’s chambers calm and smiling. The adoption had been granted.

The attorney had been discussing the paperwork discrepancy with the judge, and felt an urge to check his own identification card. When he pulled out his card, he saw that it, too, had a misprint regarding his place of birth. He had never before noticed the error and convinced the judge that these misprints must not be uncommon and should definitely not hold the children back from their future. The judge agreed.

How absolutely crazy is that? A miracle to claim as our own.

I will NEVER forget sitting in the facilitator’s car a few moments later. He hit play on a worship CD and I bawled. Such awe. Such relief. Remembering that now as we wait, expectantly, for what we hope is another moment of relief in the near future. 

Since before time began no one has ever imagined, no ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who happily do what is right, who keep a good memory of the way you work... Isaiah 64:4-5 MSG