Endurance

Well, the Christmas tree is coming down -- I just can't stand to look at it anymore.  For those you who don't know, when we realized that Carson was not coming home for Christmas, we decided to leave the tree up, with his presents underneath it, until he comes home.  Cali was pretty adamant about this until yesterday, even she said, "Mom, we can take the tree down now."  Daddy agreed.  Also, a friend told me today that maybe by taking it down, things will really get moving, that's the way life goes sometimes! 

Today's update from Amy at God's Children Adoption Agency notified us that our translated paperwork will be ready on Wednesday morning.  Today and yesterday in Haiti was spent working on getting 2 other families' paperwork out of MOI.  There are 5 of us families adopting 9 children from this orphanage through God's Children Adoption Agency.  We are so thankful for Pastor Steve being down there and helping the orphanage director.

I still hope that the children will get their medical exams this week, maybe Thursday or Friday, but it could be someday next week. 

One of the most helpful Bible verses I have memorized is in Hebrews 12:1-2, and it is: "Run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."  Endurance -- is it learned?  It is a result of patience and hard work, motivation and faith, the persistence to keep going when things get hard, really hard.  There are moments when I've wanted to give up, yet Jesus holds out his hand, helps me up and says, "Come on, you can do it, you're getting there!"  What's your "race," where is your journey bringing you in this life?  I pray that you also run with endurance, looking unto Jesus...

Sincerely
Elizabeth