I think I can...I think I can...

When I was a little girl, my Mom would read me "The Little Engine That Could" and I would love it.  I actually remember reading it and thinking that anything was possible.  Now days...I can't figure out if I am just stubborn, dedicated, or determined...maybe a little hard headed.  Or maybe a little bit of all of those...
I definitely think that there have been moments in my life where this frame of mind has helped me.  It has helped me accomplish lots of things.  Really important ones.  Things for my family.  Things that the Lord has wanted me to accomplish.  And I am thankful that God gave me this frame of mind.
There have also been some more recent moments where I think this frame of mind is nothing but my desire to control situations...and their outcomes...and the time frame of these outcomes.  Over the past 3 or 4 years of my life God has taught me a lot.  One of these things is that I AM NOT IN CONTROL.  HE IS.  And that is a good thing...a GREAT thing.  He has plans to prosper me.  Not to harm me.  Plans for a hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11 says so!!!
So...why am I struggling with HIS TIMING?  Why do I want to do things on my own time frame?  This human nature of mine...really bugs me sometimes.  When I get overwhelmed lately...when I want to have O home and want to figure out what to do about Gracie's health...I have to audibly say to myself - "God.  I. Trust. You." I ask him to help me remember that he has a plan and ask for peace.  AND HE GIVES IT.  And I am just so thankful that I have a God who gives me peace in the midst of the storm.  When things are coming at us left, right, up, and down...I have peace.  All I have to do is ask him for it.  It is there for the taking...for YOU and for ME.
And...since God does have perfect timing...things will happen when they are supposed to.  We found out today that a judge has been assigned to our case.  This means that we should get a court date pretty soon.  Maybe even November.  YES...that means that we could be holding our sweet boy next month!  Though...I am fully aware that this is also not something we should count on... I can't wait to post our next big step in the process - the day we book our flight!!!

Here are some of our prayer requests:
  1.  That God would give us peace, guidance, and the ability to stay in the right frame of mind in the current battles we are facing daily.
  2.  That God would start to prepare Josh, myself, and Gracie for the time we are away in Uganda.  And Nana and Papa too - they will be taking care of Gracie while we are gone.
  3.  That the Lord would show us where to go for each next step - that HE would be our leader every step of the way.  And that we won't get in HIS way.
  4.  That O's medical testing will go flawlessly this week and that he will be 100% healthy.
  5.  That our final garage sale will go well this weekend.
  6.   That O will feel God's love and healing now and that he is being prepared for us.
  7.  That Gracie will get into the pediatric rheumatologist sooner than later.

We will have LOTS more as we go along.  I figured now would be a good time to start and I will update them as we go along through the process.

And some things to PRAISE THE LORD for too!!!
  1.  We are only about 2500.00 away from our goal!!!
  2.  Looks like a friend we have recently met through the Facebook Ugandan adoption group has the same judge, same lawyer, and same time frame as us.  It feels so good to know someone that we know will be there at the same time as us!!!
  3.  O is going to be seen by a doctor and tested this week!  Woo Hoo!  We have waited for along time for this!!!
  4.  The babies home O is in got all of our documents and they seem happy with us!
  5.  We have lots of medical supplies to bring to donate to the people of Uganda!

Thank you again for all of the support.  We have the best friend and family members and we thank God for each of you daily.
God bless you guys!!!

To our sweet O,
I wish I could hold your hand while they draw your blood and check you out this week.  I hope you can sense what is coming for you.  I find peace in knowing that God is holding you for us.  And I am just so honored that He picked us to be yours.  No more doctor's appointments without Mommy and Daddy.  We will be there for the next ones.  I will hold you soon.

Love you more,
Mommy

I got this picture of Gracie and thought it would be fitting to leave you with it.  It cracks me up - perfect picture of our sweet Gracie.  The Ballerina Fire Extinguisher.  She is probably going to be so happy when O gets home...just so she can play princess while O plays with the fire trucks!  Lol.