There is Always Hope

July 18, 2006
It's been something of a rollercoaster ride in our journey this week. Because we hadn't heard from our caseworker in awhile, I (Calvin) gave her a call for an update. Roxanne informed me that the birthmom who was looking at our album decided on another family. Michele and I figured that was the case, since we hadn't heard anything. To be honest, though, it was a little disappointing. We were already wondering if our albums truly reflect who we are. It was a year ago that Sheli made them, and much has changed during that year. How do you capture life in photographs and hope they are relevent a year later?

During our conversation, our caseworker asked me out of the blue if we would consider having our albums shown in Pennsylvania. There is waiting in foster care an African-American baby boy. He's 2 months old now, and still the Bethany office over there is needing adoptive parents to be considered. We hesitated at first because we really don't have a way to get to Pennsylvania if chosen, much less if the birthmom wanted to have a really open adoption. But Roxanne informed us the mom is interested only in keeping touch with letters and pictures. Michele's parents then said we could use their earned frequent flyer miles to fly out there, if we are chosen. With that assured, we gave our consent for our book to be shown to the birthmom.

Do we dare hope? Of course! Today I read in Malachi 2:15 that the Lord values godly offspring. In my prayer time, I held that truth before the Lord and rejoiced that this is His heart, His desire for us. It's not all about us. It's about us glorifying our Lord in the waiting and the receiving.

Little man, I pray for you as you wait for adoptive parents. May the Lord bless you and cause you to grow strong. May he plant in you a seed of conviction and strength that will someday grow into a stalwart tree under which others may find shade and refuge. Amen