HOLY

So we recieved a call yesterday from Mary telling us we already have a court date! We are so excited and surprised it's so soon - this upcoming Friday, January 4th!!! I didn't expect that at all but I am so encouraged that the Lord is in control. I realize that everything in this adoption (whether I "feel" more in control or not - there are certainly times I feel more in control...) is unfolding the way the Lord designs. He is never less in control because I feel more in control but is always sovereignly reigning over our lives. There are families who are still waiting or have recieved their referral before us and have not recieved a court date...I'm sorry....things don't always connect, but it brings comfort to know, whether what I desire OR do not desire occurs, that God is doing all for my good. I am also learning that it is in the storm, in the wait and in the "hard" things that we bear fruit for God's glory. I have been so encouraged as I look back on the last 6 months at all God has done in my heart and though it's painful at times I praise him for drawing me nearer and showing me more of himself. Do I really want an easy road, a life with no difficulties? My faith would then be little and I would certainly not reflect much of God's image. May we all be encouraged that He is at work and may we joyfully sumbit to his disposal. I think the battle ground is for us to believe that God is good and therefore can only ever do good toward us. It doesn't always feel that way but I pray our hearts would see his loving hand behind all. Please join us in prayer that our court date would go smoothly and we would soon be on our way to kissing the cheeks of our precious Felicity.

In other news we moved our two boys into a room together. Since Felicity is a girl and Phinehas is older than we thought he would be (20 mos.), we think it will be good to put the boys in a room. Can I just say they are so cute? I have been praying so much they would do well in a room together because Job is an early riser but they have been doing wonderful - I completely attribute it to the Lord. He has shown us grace even in little things as we prepare for Felicity. I thought it was funny because yesterday when Phin woke up he started yelling "Job!" "Job!" and woke Job up but it was cute that he was so excited to see his brother across the room.

And lastly, I read this on Of First Importance and thought you might enjoy it:

“You know what happens when a portrait that has been painted on a panel becomes obliterated through external stains. The artist does not throw away the panel, but the subject of the portrait has to come and sit for it again, and then the likeness is re-drawn on the same material.
Even so was it with the All-holy Son of God. He, the Image of the Father, came and dwelt in our midst, in order that He might renew mankind made after Himself.”
- Athanasius, On the Incarnation