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Worry


 Worry


If you know me, you know I'm a professional worrier about pretty much everything. Going through an international adoption during a global pandemic hasn't helped that. 

We're at almost nine weeks of waiting for our No Objection Certificate (NOC) from CARA (India's adoption authority). This is the last document we need before we can be registered for court in India. At week 8, we heard that CARA wanted some additional information and documents from us. While it wasn't the news we wanted to hear, at least it was something! Then, I began thinking (re: worrying), "what if what we provide isn't good enough?", "what if they don't think we are fit to be her parents?" 


There are also staffing shortages within CARA and changes to the court process happening right now. All things that can affect our process and timeline greatly. That doesn't even begin to mention the awful second wave of COVID that has been going through India the last few months with more really strict lockdowns and hospitals being way over capacity. 


Today, I mailed off those requested documents to our agency so they could send them to CARA for review. I was still a bit of a wreck with worry about all the things and picked up this little ring of cards that sits on our coffee table, "Prayers for Adoption". A sweet friend gifted it to us towards the beginning of our process and it has been there on our coffee table for easy access ever since. 


I flipped through and landed on "Pray that God will replace your anxiety with His peace. Pray that God will remind you to cast your anxiety on Him in prayer instead of trying to carry them on your own." 

 


Each prayer reminder has a verse on the back. This one was Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."


While it's still hard to let go of the worry completely, I am choosing to pray, petition, and have thanksgiving to God! I am thankful that we are getting to FaceTime with our girl at least once if not twice a week. This is rare, and we don't take this opportunity for granted! Her caregivers love her so much and want to make the transition to our family the best it can be. I am thankful that she is saying more words, calls us "Mama and Dada", and is OBSESSED with Ruby, our dog. I am also thankful that she has remained healthy through this second wave of COVID in India. Her medical condition puts her at high risk but she has remained COVID-free and hasn't needed to go to the hospital for any other reason either, which is a huge blessing. 

A few specific ways you can join us in prayer:
1. That the documents we have submitted will be exactly what they need to issue our No Objection Certificate.
2. That the new court process will be solidified once we receive NOC so we can quickly be registered.
3. Continued health for Ruthanne and her caregivers. 

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Comments

  1. Valerie AlexanderAugust 23, 2021 at 4:52 PM

    Praying with and for you, Cody and Ruthanne 💝 I love you all so very much 😘

    ReplyDelete
  2. TB SorrellsAugust 25, 2021 at 10:14 AM

    "May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15:13 I love y'all and I'm so proud of the way you are letting Jesus shine through you during this journey. Press on, sister. You have a multitude standing in the gap on behalf of your baby girl!

    ReplyDelete
  3. David McWhiteAugust 25, 2021 at 11:41 AM

    So sorry to hear about all the setbacks, but I'm really grateful for how you're continuing to look to God and point others to Him in the process. We're praying you'll get good news soon! So grateful for you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bob AAugust 25, 2021 at 5:08 PM

    Praying that your NOC will be accepted and that y'all can move ahead. I was happy to get a face-to-face update on Sunday.

    ReplyDelete

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