Prayers for the Journey

Today finds us bracing for even more winter weather as snow, ice and cold temperatures continue to move through our area. There are folks who love this type of weather and while I will agree that it can be very picturesque, I am not a fan of "winter wonderland" conditions. Yet I also realize that the cold temperatures do bring advantages such as overcoming germs, etc.. Growing up in the mountains, however, brought many challenges during the winter. I remember riding the school bus over fifty miles a day and most of that ride included roadways along mountains, hillsides, valleys and very sharp turns. During any other time of the year, this was an incredibly beautiful...and usually safe trip. But the snow and ice that accompanied winter created dangerous conditions. More than once, our school bus found itself sliding across the roads. More than once, the elementary students were literally walked up and down the steep hillside to their own building because the bus could not even climb the snow and ice-covered road to the pick-up/drop-off area. More than once the students on our bus were asked to huddle in a group over the wheel areas of the back of the bus so their combined weight would provide enough traction to ease out of the ditch we had just entered. There are also memories of my own driving experiences in snow...none of which I particularly enjoyed in those treacherous conditions. Although the winter weather can be beautiful, there are indeed challenges that affect people in multiple ways. We enjoyed the beauty of the journey back then...but sometimes the conditions were most concerning.

In some ways, our adoption journey can be similarly described. There is indeed joy in this journey of blessings to our baby girl/s. We have no doubt that God has led us into this journey of faith as we rely on His guidance, provision and protection. The purpose is extremely clear but there are definite concerns along the way.

Today my heart is heavy for so many families in their journeys. The economy leaves no one untouched and I know there are growing concerns as many of us continue to wait, work and walk toward our precious children waiting to come home with us. Job security is not to be taken for granted. Living expenses are climbing. Paychecks are taking cuts, if they even continue. People are losing jobs, homes, insurance and the lifestyles they once took for granted. For now, our job situation continues and we are extremely thankful. Yet as we all feel the crunch of an unstable economy, uncertainty, adjustments and concerns, I know that hearts are heavy in many lives. We remain a very blessed nation which we definitely need to remember and thank God for every day. But it is a frightening time for many people in many lands.

So I simply ask you to pray for our country, our world, our families, our businesses, our schools, our Churches and the many journeys represented in this season of our lives. It may be winter with challenges and uncertainties. But spring will come and creation will rejoice as we are reminded that He was working out His plan every moment. Please pray that as we all feel the chill of winter's challenges, we will be reminded, strengthened, encouraged and hopeful as we focus on the Creator of the Universe. He's holding us in His hands and although we may not always be aware of the plan, we can claim His promises, cling to His presence and grow in glorifying Him through it all.

As always, your prayers for every precious child waiting for a family, for every precious family waiting for a child, every wonderful person working so hard to bring them together and every individual walking through the journey of life...are valuable and appreciated. We thank God for each of you...and your prayers.
Praying through the journey,
Terri & Family