Monday, March 23, 2009

Fiery Furnace

Matthew's inner cheek was swabbed this morning and his DNA was sent off to California. Provided that the potential birth father gets his own cheek swabbed, we'll have the results in five days.

I want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. There are good days and there are hard days but we can feel your support and are so thankful that you've prayed on our behalf. I've spent a great deal of time on my own in prayer and the Lord has revealed much to me.

For starters, Matthew isn't mine. He is God's. I should be thankful for each moment that the Lord allows me to have him and hold him.

In terms of finances, we probably have thousands and thousands of dollars worth of bills coming our way (especially if he is the father), but we've been blessed by several donations. When we look at the big financial picture it makes us ill and we still need a whole lot to be able to adequately fight this but, slowly and miraculously, the Lord is providing for us through the kindness and generosity of others. THANK YOU!

To answer a common question, if he is the father, we can win because the Lord can do whatever he chooses. In the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar tells Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that he will have them thrown into the fiery furnace if they refuse to worship his image of gold. They reply, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." What I want everyone to know is that the Lord can choose to keep Matthew right here with us. And, in fact, the courts in California often elect to do exactly that and we've been told that we have a strong case. God can rescue us from this hand we've been dealt. BUT, even if he doesn't, we will remain committed to our faith and our Lord, who works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Through prayer, we believe that, if needed, we must risk everything to fight for this child and if we lose, we'll lose while being faithful. But, sparing legal details, the short answer is yes, we can win. Whether or not we will remains to be seen.

8 comments:

  1. Oh, Lori, your pictures are precious and your words are so true and lovely! Thinking of you always...

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  2. Lori,
    Your strength is so meaningful to me these days. I pray for you all the time... and I admire how you and Troy are handling this situation! I really do admire your faith and dedication!
    M

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  3. I know it is hard, I admire your strength. You are someone I defiantly look up to. we don't know each other very well, but I LOVE what you stand for and I LOVE the way you talk about your family. I pray for GOD's WILL.

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  4. Your faith is incredible. I'm so glad that in the midst of this storm of uncertain future, you are clinging to the One who holds the future.

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  5. Praying, praying, praying.
    Thats all I can do.
    x

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  6. Thanks for keep us updated. We are praying for you guys hourly.

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  7. I just found your blog from Anonymouse's blog and your story has really gripped me. I'm praying for you and your family. We also are the adoptive parents of a little African American baby boy. He is one year old now and although none of this struggle happened with our adoption, I can imagine all too well, what it might be like. God bless you.
    Sarah Abrahams
    abessarah@hotmail.com

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  8. I wish you all the best. Even if I can't help you guys financial, be assured that you're in my prayers. Matthew found a great family in you. :)

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