Far Sweeter

““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today as a pulled off clusters of tiny green apples from our Pink Lady apple tree, I was reminded that sometimes we have to let go of something good to receive something better.

As I plucked tiny apple after tiny apple, I felt a little remorse yet even more, I felt anticipation. Early this autumn, there will be homegrown pink blushed apples to enjoy. Far less than I have had to discard yet they will be ours, ripe and sweet. If I failed to thin the tree, it would not produce such wonderful fruit and the burden of so much would only hinder both the fruit and tree’s growth.

This simple yearly task reflects my own journey. How I too have had to let go of good desires so that God can fulfill even greater purposes in and through me. How His desires for my life far exceed my own.

This season of waiting and abiding has been tough. Laying down my own timeline, desires and expectations has been a painful process. Yet I know that with God, my waiting is not wasted. He is cultivating something much richer and deeper, far sweeter than I can imagine.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Family Update:

As we continue to wait much longer than anticipated, we can see how God continues to grow our hearts and our family, preparing us for all that our journey holds. This season has been amazing in many ways yet also extremely hard. Especially on my mama heart.

I am finding contentment and pleasure in the simple things in life right now. Wonder-filled moments with our ever growing children, our four new chickens and our thriving garden are all bringing renewed life and a positive distraction in this extended season of waiting.

I share with you these simple pleasures yet keep in mind that you are not seeing our true reality. These pictures do not capture the noise, siblings squabbles, meltdowns and the just plain messiness and complexity that life lived together brings.

Our prayer needs:

We know that the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria is considering our family on a weekly basis. What we are waiting for now is a child that fits our family’s profile to be ready for adoption.

Join us in praying that God will open wide the doors that need to be opened for us to be matched with our daughter. We believe that this is a spiritual battle. The evil one does not want orphans to find families. Even so, we know that Our God is greater and He has already proclaimed victory over our daughter. Please pray that we will continue to trust in His power and perfect timing. May His peace reign in our hearts and home as we wait.

Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support. We are ever grateful.