Blizzard Clarity

Clarity - We have some.

Hope that clears things up for ya!

I'm not sure where to begin in telling what God has done through our adoption journey over the last few weeks. . .not sure if it's really necessary to say anything more than, "WOW, our God is amazing!"  That's a fact, but it's especially poignant when He allows us to catch glimpses of that fact.

We've had the driest winter since we moved to California 12 years ago, while many of our family members and friends have endured record-breaking snow and ice storms in the East. This has me thinking how glad I am that I don't have to go out in that mess anymore! Though it has been at least 15 years since I last drove in the snow, I well remember trying to see between snowflakes that reflect headlights with the intensity of the sun. Not fun. Our adoption journey is much like that right now, though a bit more exciting. . .and less life-threatening. :-)

I think of how God has somewhere sent a budding mother on a journey to find us in a terrible blizzard; and at the same time, He has sent us on a journey to find her in that blizzard.  We don't know who she is or how to find her, but He knows right where she is, and He's leading us to the people who know her and can help us. For the last month-and-a-half we have searched diligently for someone to help us find her. We thought we had found that guide, and then we didn't. We almost signed a contract with another guide, but suddenly it looked like maybe we already found her. . .which we hadn't, but then again, maybe we had. Wait, are you as confused as I am?  God's little blizzard blows us along.

Back a few weeks ago, I was a bit disheartened and weary in the journey--yes, already. My once crystal-clear vision for the end of this journey became rather cloudy, and I began to wonder if we had misunderstood. So I kinda pulled a Gideon. "Lord, I'm pretty sure you have the wrong gal, and it would be great if you'd show me that you are leading us on this journey, and we're not going to battle this storm with misguided good intentions. I could use some serious clarity here!"

And He delivered.

The delivery did not come immediately... it took at least a couple of hours for the email to come.  (Ha! Do you need any more proof that God still speaks in the 21st century?)  That unexpected email was the encouragement Scott and I needed to take another step in obedience. Over the last three weeks, that has been what we have done--take the next step, and the next (after another completely unexpected email--are we seeing a trend here?). And now. . . hmmm, here we are, right back to where we were three weeks ago--although with more confidence in our purpose and more appreciation for the patient Shepherd who is guiding us through the blinding snow.

Our Psalm 23 Shepherd, unbothered by the storm, walks quietly with us, knowing right where she is (He is with her, too, after all) AND knowing how we are going to find each other. We can't wait to meet her and warm up by the fire with her, before we head back out into our separate but connected blizzards.