Lord, please clear the path before us...

I think most of you may know what we learned about our case while I was in Guatemala two weeks ago, but just in case, a quick recap: In March, we were in PGN, which is typically the last step to becoming Israel's legal parents, and we thought we were almost done. Within the last few weeks, however, we found out that we are having to backtrack and pick up an important step that got skipped earlier on in the process. We never completed family court back in January, so now that we have everything else done, we are going back. In order to re-submit, the courts requested some additional documents, which we scurried around to collect and verify so that I could take them with me to Guatemala.

So, two weeks ago, we turned over a fresh mountain of paperwork to our attorneys, and after two weeks of translating, protocol-ing, notarizing, and otherwise "officializing" our documents, we expect to be submitted back into court TODAY. This is huge because it should be the last step, but it could be a very long one.

To add another layer of drama to all of this is the fact that there is complete craziness going on with adoptions in general in Guatemala right now. You may remember that the attorney general was removed from office against his will...Well, there is a bit of a power struggle going on there between the newly appointed attorney general and the old one. All cases currently in PGN are caught in the middle and on hold while the new powers-that-be audit all the adoption cases for signs of fraud. We aren't in PGN right now, so it shouldn't affect us, but there is a ton of scrutiny over all adoptions, so we really don't know how it could all play out in the end.

Soooooo, now that the background is all laid out for you, here's what we're praying for:

1. That the Lord will clear the path before us so that no more obstacles delay the completion of this process!

2. That our documents will be complete, accurate, and completely void of any qualities that could make them look suspicious or problematic in any way.

3. That both cases--ours and our friends,the Mahoney's--will stay together throughout the remaining steps so that the boys can come home at the same time.

4. That every attorney, secretary, judge, social worker, agency staff, or official of any kind that handles our case will be inspired by the power of God to do their work quickly, fairly and accurately in order to place these boys with their families!

5. Last, but not least, that the Father of the fatherless will be near to the hearts of Israel & Wilmer as they wait to come home, giving them peace, comfort, and understanding.

With all that is going on, it's very easy to feel like this situation is completely out of control. But we know, and we have seen, how God's wisdom far exceeds our limited understanding. Two weeks ago, we were upset that we had skipped over this step in family court and wondered why we couldn't just go through the steps in order. But now, with all that's going on in PGN, we're praising God that our case isn't there! It's great to read the Old Testament and see how the Lord used kings of nations to accomplish His purposes for His people...Scripture is very clear that our God is the defender of orphans, and so we rest knowing that even the political drama at play right now in Guatemala will not derail God's plans for Israel.