In 2009 ...
We're hoping a little girl will splash in the waves with us and build castles in the sand. We're hoping she will eat peach ice cream on the Fourth of July and chase the deer at Big Meadows. We're hoping this little girl will take turns with her brothers and sisters on the rope swing and laugh at Dr. Seuss. We're hoping she will cry out "Mama!" when she falls down and skins her knees and tattle when a neighborhood boy hurts her feelings. We're hoping she'll teach us Russian and learn English. We're hoping she'll jump in leaf piles and play "Bush" in the front yard. We're hoping she will roast marshmallows and go grass sledding in the early morning frost as the days get cool. We're hoping she'll hang ornaments on the Christmas tree and that her eyes will widen in wonder as she visits "Bethlehem" once more. We're hoping that she'll go to bed night after night, warm and safe, dreaming sweet dreams after being read to, prayed over, tucked in, and sang over. We're hoping ...
But our hope is not in our ability to storm the gates and bring her home, as much as this mother's heart wants to do that very thing. Our hope is in the One who remembers our affliction and our wanderings ...
But this I call to mind and therfore I have hope: The STEADFAST love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is YOUR faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in HIM. The LORD is good to those who wait for him to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the the LORD." Lamentations 3:21-26
His love NEVER ceases. Every morning are new mercies when my mother's heart is breaking, when I long to tuck her in bed and sing over her, when I consider her life in Odessa and the hole in her heart from abandonment. The hole is also in my heart now as I go to bed at night praying for her, wondering if she's warm, wondering if she's well. Yet I will hope in Him, wait for Him, seek Him with my whole heart. In Christ alone will I hope and I will wait for Him to bring about that which He has orchestrated.
We're hoping our Christmas Picture will have Katya right at the center surrounded by brothers and sisters and a Mama and Papa who traveled across the ocean and back to bring her home ... in 2009.