I Know Who Goes Before Her

If ever I have been unaware of God's activity around me, make no mistake about it...I am AWARE.

From time to time during this adoption process, God has placed a song on my heart that He used to give us hope.  Before our 2nd and 3rd trips, which were only 30 days apart, He gave us the song, "Whom Shall I Fear," by Chris Tomlin.  Here are some of the words, changed slightly to be sung for our Annhaven:

You hear her when she calls
You are her morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It can not hide the Light
Whom Shall she Fear?

You Crush the enemy
Underneath her feet
You are her Sword and Sheild
Though troubles linger still
Whom Shall she Fear?

I know who goes before her
I know who stands behind
The God of Angel Armies
Is always by her side
The ONE who reigns forever
He is a friend of hers
The God of Angel Armies
Is always by her side

Her strength is in Your Name
For You alone can save
You will deliver her
Yours is the victory
Whom shall she fear?
Whom Shall she Fear?
On our 2nd trip to see Annhaven, every day when we would leave the orphanage, we would sing this to her....and we would just cry.  It felt so powerful to leave her with these words, truly believing that our God would do in her what HE said HE would do.

We are now HOME!...."Home-a" as Annhaven says!  AND GOD.....He continues to go before her and stand behind her...we can spiritually see Him by her side...and we can physically see her being so comforted by the Holy Spirit in our home and family.  She is so ever-lovin' joyful and peaceful....FULL I tell you!  God is definitely showing us things we never could even have imagined. 

Now don't get me wrong....we have our moments of, "Wow...she's a real BABY!?!?"  and Annhaven has her moments of, "I'm gonna give them a run for their money"...and the boys have their moments of, "How much longer until she takes a nap?"  This baby sister stuff is hard work after being used to 3 practically grown, self-sufficient boys.  BUT GOD....so deep-heartedly thankful for His Work.

WHile in Russia I read about the principle of God's Glory:
We are called to live for something grander than our own good, comfort, success, affluence, and ease.  We will never do what is right at the practical, everyday life level unless we have the glory of God as our ultimate goal. 

THis kind of fits with the title of this blog, "God's Glory In Russia"...there was never anything comfortable or easy in this whole Russian adoption process.  Especially hearing, while we were there, that Russia might be closing adoptions for U.S. citizens.  Little did we know then, as we traveled home with Annhaven, what has now come out.  WE are still daily, hourly, soaking in the reality of God's timing in her little life.  Also, daily, hourly, we are finding ourselves in earnest prayer for so many friends who are waiting to see if they get their babies out soon. Please be in specific prayer for the Lewis Family from MS, who are getting 2 brothers, and the Luna Family from New Mexico, who are getting a baby boy.  They both made their first trips the same time we did back in August, and are just now scheduled to go for 2nd trip court next week.  We also met several sweet families who were ON their first trip to meet their babies while we were there gettting Annhaven.  Many prayers going out for all of them.  "Greater is HE that is in you, than he who is in the world."

 Thank you, friends and family, for the absolute OUTPOURING of your love and prayers and words of encouragement for us.  I have said this before, but they were and continue to be truly LIFE-GIVING...I feel like we ate and drank them for weeks and months, and continue to do so daily as you all share with us your thoughts on our behalf.  "A friend loves at all times"....thank you for letting us feel your love at all times.  And thank you for your powerful prayers that are helping our daughter feel God's love for her.  It is so much  DEEPER and WIDER and LONGER and HIGHER than anything we could ever give her.

WE pray that each one of you will see the activity of God at work around YOU and that you will JOIN HIM in it.

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, SO THAT you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

LOVE,
Marcee, Todd, Adlee, Sam, Jameson, and Annhaven Watkins