Choosing Joy

I'm not gonna lie- today has been a rough day.  We were really hopeful that the US Embassy wouldn't request additional documents and we could be traveling in the next couple of weeks, but we woke up this morning to an email from the US Embassy requesting additional information (4 separate things).  Although we were really bummed and disappointed, I keep trying to remind myself that we have much to be thankful for.  We have such amazing family and friends who have been soo supportive throughout this process in so many different ways.  We have an amazing little 3 year old boy who brings such joy and happiness to our lives each and every day.  We have the sweetest baby girl waiting for us on the other side of the world.  We can sleep at night knowing that the transition home staff is taking good care of our baby and seeing that her tummy is full, she is content, she is safe, and she is being loved on.  We are thankful that God led us to West Sands Adoptions in January- and that we have such faith and trust in the staff knowing that they are working their absolute hardest to help us bring Zoe home as soon as possible.  And...we also received this updated picture this morning from a friend who is in Ethiopia spending some time with our baby.  As she says- "Zoe is looking out the window knowing that we are out there somewhere." 

Definitely helped soften the blow of the email from the Embassy, but oh my goodness she looks so grown-up in this picture.  Rather than being sad that we are missing out on so much with our sweet baby, I'm TRYING OH SO HARD to focus on the positives and know that GOD IS IN CONTROL.   As we were worshipping in church on Sunday, I was struck so hard by these words "Oh Christ, be the center of our lives...  Be the place we fix our eyes, be the center of our lives...And we lift our eyes to heaven.  And we wrap our lives around your life."  And I have been singing this song in my head ever since.  I know that God is with our baby girl right now and holding her in His arms when I can't.  But that doesn't always stop the tears and the sadness of missing my baby.   So.. in spite of the tears streaming down my face, I am choosing joy and trusting that God is in control and His timing is perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwRX2HPLKY