Standing Still...

It's been a while since our last post, especially for those who have followed our journey closely, so here is an update and some thoughts... We're back, recovered from jet-lag and waiting for the decision of the judge. There are 7 other families, all who have now received denials from the judge (AKA- no baby!) These families have begun an appeal process to the regional court, hiring lawyers, more paperwork, time, money, etc. We have been told that our decision will be made by the judge this week (May 25).

It is interesting that our Blog is entitled "Walking By Faith" because we don't seem to be doing a whole lot of walking lately. I'd much rather be in control right now but having sat in Airports, on planes and in cars, we now sit at home and wait. Yet I am reminded of the profound lessons that can be learned and reinforced through difficult circumstances...(It would just be nice if we could learn from other people's difficult circumstances, but that's not how it usually works does it?) I'm thinking about Joshua (in the Bible) who was given the daunting task of leading the Israelite people into the promised land. It's not by coincidence that God just happened to wait until the Jordan River was at its highest flood stage to give them the go-ahead(obvious poor planning, right?). God promised Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9) And the first people to cross were commanded, "You shall stand still in the Jordan."(Joshua 3:8b) One day before, the people were promised, "...Tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."(Joshua 3:5) And God acted in a miraculous way by stopping the flow of the river so all the people crossed on dry land. It sounds a lot like the Israelites who stood at the edge of the Red Sea with no visible way out and Moses said, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD."(Exodus 14:13)

At times everything within us wants to move, to act or to take initiative by some sort of evasive maneuvers, but God says, "Wait, Stand firm, Stand Still." I have been encouraged by Psalm 20 as we wait and trust that God is mighty to save. We pray for Noah Timur, for the other families involved and for their children as they begin the appeal process. We've been in God's word and in prayer constantly and so my thoughts are therefore saturated by God's promises and words of life. God parted the Red Sea and stopped the Jordan and we trust that God can command his angels concerning us compelling the judge to approve our case allowing us to bring Noah home. Whatever God does, we know that it will be for our good and for his glory so we wait with a true sense of peace that passes understanding, but remember that our waiting is an active waiting as we are called to... "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."(Romans 12:12)

"May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright."(Psalm 20:5-9)

Thanks for all your support, your prayers and your encouragement :)