When we started our adoption, it started with the Lord asking if we would trust Him no matter what, no matter what it takes, all in, 100% total surrender. It was a culmination of a 2 week deep spiritual wrestling with the decision after 8 years of researching and contemplaing adoption. Being that when we started our adoption, money was our primary concern, we thought that would mean choosing to sell our house to afford adoption expenses. We stood in awe that Andy was provided a new job and we were surprised with quite a story in buying a new to us van that would fit our family of 8. We have watched hurdles be knocked down and prayers answered as we've come this far in adopting our boys. We had a heart for countries that were difficult to adopt from and underserved. Choosing Sierra Leone itself was a result of doors being opened and timing outside our own. We know we are following our calling and doing what we are supposed to do. We are part of a story that is still being written by the One who knows the ending. We are not given a spirit of fear or timidity. All this to say, with the rule change that was handed down today, making it a requirement to live in Sierra Leone and foster our kids for 6 months, we aren't backing down. We are in contact with our congressmen. If the new rule is not overturned, no, we don't have the answers or know how it will all work out. But, we are reminded that we didn't know how it would work when this started to begin with. We aren't at a different place really. We are never in control and never know what is going to happen next, and we don't have to. We know the One who created us and wrote our story before we we breathed our first. So while the future of where we will be living for 6 months is unknown, without a clue as to how it will all come together and how to make it work, we have confidence that it will be worked together for good and that there is a plan. We are being brought back to a place of having to choose whether we truly trust and are 100% surrendered to what we say we believe. A testing of what is really important. Do we trust in our logic, job, comfort, safety, belongings, ourselves? Or are we really surrendered and willing to sacrifice our wants and dreams to the One who gave us our desires and gives us far more than we would know to ask for? Do I believe in a God who punishes and is distant and is full or rules? Or do I believe in a good, loving, Father who knows my need and is sufficient to meet it? Sort of a "do you practice what you preach" moment that is tearing down lies and showing me the truth of what is really in my heart. There is a time we all have to choose what we believe and why we believe it. This is our moment of choosing what we will cling to. We are choosing Hope and choosing to be reminded of what has already been overcome.
For more information on the U.S. State Department regulatory changes visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/Intercountry-Adoption-News/sierra-leone-adoption-notice---implementation-of-the-required-si.html.
