By Faith and Not By Sight

This entry is about the past few days...rather long.

I find it so amazing how God has perfect timing in everything. On the first day that we had gone to the NAC to pick out a child I hadn't been able to do my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) lessons...I was a day behind. The lesson I did was on Abraham and Lot and how Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the land, as they chose to separate, because their groups were not getting along. Through the questions we came to find that Abraham gave Lot the first choice, which seemed to be that Abraham would then end up with the lesser, however, he listened to God and let Lot choose first, thus, Abraham was actually letting God choose for him. It looked like Lot was getting the better land, but God knew that looks aren't what should determine our steps.

This is how we saw that day when we were at NAC. We were letting God pry our fingers open and letting go of Sasha, our intended, so that we would not make her our first choice. We let Him choose for us. If we would have went for what "looked" to be right for us, we would have chosen Sasha. Because, through her pictures and description, I imagined this child as sweet, obedient, loving and all of the characteristics that we were so desiring. God knew my heart's desire for a child who would want to be a part of our family. One who would want to be loved and who would have a heart for Him. God knew the desires of our hearts and He knew those desires were all found in Natasha. But we could not know that when we were so focused on Sasha. It is odd how we become so focused on the thing that we think seems to be the best for us, yet God knows that sight only touches the surface. We just felt like Abraham. We stood by and let God choose for us because we knew that if we would be been given the choice between Natasha and Sasha, we, most likely would have chosen Sasha thinking she would have been that perfect child for our family. But God knows all of our hearts' desires lie within Natasha and she is everything and more than we could have ever imagined!

Oh how we praise God for His love for us! Wanting only to give His children the best if they would just allow Him to do this for them! Oh how great Thou art! Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

It is so interesting that our precious Sasha's name means "helper of mankind." Her sweet face helped us to start this adoption, which, in turn, helped Natasha to find a family.

BSF ladies:
As we left the NAC on Wednesday evening I asked Ted what time it was and he said, "5:10 PM...9:10 AM Omaha time" (I'm always asking what time it is in Omaha.) Exactly the time you would have been meeting for class. It was so nice for me to think of you all the way home and of all the wonderful prayers that you have given to me and my family!

Again, our thanks and love,
Ted, Amy, Natasha & Ariana