A waging war

Ever since we began the adoption process last November there have been unusual challenges and circumstances occurring in our every day lives. Brian and I recognize that the battle we are in is a spiritual battle, but it has been difficult to acknowledge every time something goes wrong. Yesterday, however, I was not about to let the enemy of our souls discourage me because my eyes were open.

It was almost story time at the library. Sahara loves Wednesday mornings because she gets to go the library and see her favorite story lady, Miss Michelle. I got Sahara buckled into her seat and tried to start up the car. Chug a chug a chug! Nothing. Tried it again. Chug a chug a chug! Not even close to turning over. I called Brian at work from our driveway telling him the car wouldn't start. He asked me a bunch of car questions and then I proceeded to follow his instructions to put the car into neutral and turn the key again. It started! Did I mention it was pouring rain and Sahara was screaming in the back seat because we were going to miss story time? We back out of the driveway and I head up the street towards the library. The car begins to sputter and then all of a sudden it dies. I call Brian again, tell him what happens and he tells me to get the car on the side of the road and he'll be there in about 45 minutes to help us. Did I mention it was pouring rain and Sahara was now hyperventilating because we were missing story time? I wasn't about to sit there in the car for 45 minutes so I tried the put it into the neutral thing again. It worked! I managed to get us into the library parking lot just before the car died on us again!

There's the backdrop! Yes, Brian picked us up. Yes, our car is dead. Yes, it got towed away and we have no idea what's wrong with it nor how much it will cost to get it fixed. The enemy knows me too well and wanted so badly to put me in a depressive mood and begin to panic about not having enough money to fix the car...etc, etc, etc. I did not let him alter my mood! When we got home, I proceeded to make Sahara lunch. After getting her set up to indulge in her salami sandwich, apples, and chips, I grabbed the mail from the mailbox. The only letter we had was from our adoption agency. I, of course, was thinking the worst that something was wrong with our paperwork in Ethiopia. Boy, was I way wrong! This was a short letter from the director of finances at our adoption agency. She was writing to inform us "that someone made a $1,000 dollar amount donation towards our adoption expenses and that at this time, this individual would like to remain anonymous"! Is your heart beating hard yet? Cuz' if it's not you better check your ticker!! I about fell to the floor.

There is a waging war taking place in our every day lives. Our adversary would love to make us believe that we will never get to the top of the adoption mountain we are trying to climb and that we will never have the finances in place in order to bring life and hope to another orphan child. But God is here to remind us, in the midst of all of this hard work, that it will happen in His time and He will do it in a way where all we can do is shake our heads and say "only you, Lord...thank you"!

With our love and hope,

Jen

P.S. To the anonymous individual or couple or family out there that came alongside of us in the way that you did...we don't know how to say thank you. Your financial gift has immensely decreased the burden we are carrying. May God bless you for your sacrificial gift.