Although I have already posted and am tired of writing I have felt lead to post this one. Only one pic though. Today I was thinking out our gate at the compound. It is made of heavy metal and has a lock on the inside to keep intruders at bay. Most of America could not understand this type of gate. Yes we have gated communities and alarm systems, but this is different. This is truly to protect those who are inside.
This got me thinking. How many times has God placed us behind a gate? How many times have we felt like we are outside the gate? I think many times we are in the gate, but then we chose to leave the gate on our own accord. I know that during this adoption process God has allowed us to be in and out of the gate.
We are out of the gate when we do not trust him and want to force the issue. I am not saying we can't challenge God in a respectful manner, but it is when we disregard Him and do it our own way we are left outside the gate. I know for us this has happened many times when we thought that the adoption should go a certain way. Take for instance today. We were expecting this guy who was supposed to be easy regarding the investigation process. We did not get him, but the lady who holds up the process. Instantly Valerie went to a bad place and thought the 5 minute interview went bad. I had to remind her that we controlled not one minute of this and that it was a miracle to even have the interview.
See, I believe God is working miracles in this adoption for some unknown reason to us. Sometimes I just don't get it. We had the perfect life with our two daughters, Kate and Abby, but for some reason, He called us to more. There have been moments when I have really wondered what He has gotten us into. This is tough. 4 people trying to speak the same language and yet it is really 2vs2. They speak theirs, we speak ours, and yet we are communicating.
In this moment, I believe we are in God's gate. I believe that despite all of the challenges that lie ahead, He is keeping us in His gate. I must admit. I love the gate. I feel protected, yet very raw. This is not comfortable. In fact, at times it is very painful, and yet I would not want to be anywhere else in the world. I have joked about being on vacation. Probably my way of keeping sane in a very insane place.
I have friends in Malawi and they could probably add comments to the insaneness of Africa. I know they stand in line for hours for gas and sometimes walk away empty handed. Yet they have trust and faith that they will get gas the next day. That is how I feel each day I wake up.. I know God is going to give me the gas to keep going. I know that I am protected in His gate in this very unprotected place. I know that He will lead us through this and that we will return as a whole family.
Finally, I know that I am covered by prayers of friends and family across the nations. This is comforting. This is really awesome to know that people care not only about us, but our two little Congolese daughters who do crazy things. Thank you God for your gate. I love it.
This got me thinking. How many times has God placed us behind a gate? How many times have we felt like we are outside the gate? I think many times we are in the gate, but then we chose to leave the gate on our own accord. I know that during this adoption process God has allowed us to be in and out of the gate.
We are out of the gate when we do not trust him and want to force the issue. I am not saying we can't challenge God in a respectful manner, but it is when we disregard Him and do it our own way we are left outside the gate. I know for us this has happened many times when we thought that the adoption should go a certain way. Take for instance today. We were expecting this guy who was supposed to be easy regarding the investigation process. We did not get him, but the lady who holds up the process. Instantly Valerie went to a bad place and thought the 5 minute interview went bad. I had to remind her that we controlled not one minute of this and that it was a miracle to even have the interview.
See, I believe God is working miracles in this adoption for some unknown reason to us. Sometimes I just don't get it. We had the perfect life with our two daughters, Kate and Abby, but for some reason, He called us to more. There have been moments when I have really wondered what He has gotten us into. This is tough. 4 people trying to speak the same language and yet it is really 2vs2. They speak theirs, we speak ours, and yet we are communicating.
In this moment, I believe we are in God's gate. I believe that despite all of the challenges that lie ahead, He is keeping us in His gate. I must admit. I love the gate. I feel protected, yet very raw. This is not comfortable. In fact, at times it is very painful, and yet I would not want to be anywhere else in the world. I have joked about being on vacation. Probably my way of keeping sane in a very insane place.
I have friends in Malawi and they could probably add comments to the insaneness of Africa. I know they stand in line for hours for gas and sometimes walk away empty handed. Yet they have trust and faith that they will get gas the next day. That is how I feel each day I wake up.. I know God is going to give me the gas to keep going. I know that I am protected in His gate in this very unprotected place. I know that He will lead us through this and that we will return as a whole family.
Finally, I know that I am covered by prayers of friends and family across the nations. This is comforting. This is really awesome to know that people care not only about us, but our two little Congolese daughters who do crazy things. Thank you God for your gate. I love it.
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| OUR GATE |
Val and Darren -
ReplyDeleteWe neurotically check your blog all day long now! I was so excited to see this entry. And yes, what a crazy miracle that you had this embassy appointment today.
Thanks so much for the pics. I forwarded a couple to our prayer chain here and it seemed to cause a renewed sense of enthusiasm and urgency in praying for your family. And that's a good thing!!
I am still totally blown away by your faithfulness in this crazy journey. I still meet so many folks who give no thought whatsoever to the plight of the millions and millions of orphans in this world. Thanks for helping to open our eyes, no matter how painful the process. Maybe that is part of your purpose in this?
We love you guys so much and miss you. We will continue praying for you all. Lake City bound tomorrow - will get your rooms ready for you :)
Big hugs to all of you from all of us! Karen
Thanks for sharing this Darren - you & Val have faithful courageous hearts & I am so blessed by you & hearing about your faith journey throughout this adoption. God is already using your journey to make a difference in so many lives as well as the lives of the girls, I can only imagine what else He will do through all of this!
ReplyDeleteYou preach it brother!!! God is so amazing and it is incredible to see Him at work in so many ways and I know in many ways that you may never see or know about. I continue to be excited each new day to see His hands all over this adoption and to think about what Kate and Abby do and will see and hear about Him and then to think about the Marie's learning about Him and His love through your love!!! WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteLove and miss you all continue to walk by faith and through alongside of you all on this journey. Blessings friends!!!
Gracie and gang