Out Of Nowhere

Well.

A lot can change in 24 hours.

Yesterday we were going down one path and today it's a completely different journey.

Quick(ish) version:

In July, we communicated with a Guatemalan judge who gave us instructions on how to proceed in order to have an opportunity to adopt La P.

We have been following those steps to the letter.

On Sunday, The King had an appointment that, if things went well, would finalize all that the judge had asked us to do.

Things went very well.

The King was preparing to meet with the judge on Wednesday.

I was preparing to share the amazing things that have taken place.

Then a bomb was dropped.

The orphanage informed us that they had received a letter from the court IN JULY that stated when her medical care (which we would provide) is complete, custody will go back to her parents.

The parents who left her at the hospital.

I don't say that in a judgmental way.  Many of the kids at the orphanage have been left in alleys or dumpsters.  I very much appreciate that her parents realized that they would not be able to care for her and wanted her to have a better life than they could provide.

(Here's where it becomes The Palace version of a Made-For-TV-Movie.)

On Wednesday, The King and two of the missionaries from the orphanage are going to drive 6 hours into the depths of Guatemala to try and find her parents.

The King is going to ask La P's parents if they will allow us to adopt the child whom they gave up 6 years ago.

Will they care?

Will they want her?

Will they want money?

Will they even be found?

I'll be honest...I'm still pretty new at this this whole "living without fear" thing, and this is pushing me past what I feel like I can handle.

I'm so scared for The King to travel into the middle of a third world country.  It's likely that I may go a few days and not hear a word from him.  

How many news stories have I heard about buses plummeting off the mountain roads of Guatemala?

But I'm so proud of him.  

He is doing exactly what a father should do for his child.

Please pray for his safety.

Pray that her parents can be found.

Selfishly, I want to pray that they will let us have her.  

But if they want her, I pray that they are able to care for her and provide for her.

That they will love her as much as we do.

Earlier today, a sweet friend reminded me that the more impossible things seem, the bigger God gets to be.

Isn't that true?

I know that when this journey is complete, we will all stand amazed at what God has done.

I am already amazed at what God has done.

9 months ago, I was begging God to not make me go on some stupid mission trip.

Begging.

Now I'm (relatively) ok with my husband driving to a Guatemalan village to ask an unsuspecting family if we can have their daughter...?

Only God can pull that off.

I can't wait to see what He will do next.

Comments

[Robyn (3GirlsMom)]

Wow. WOW. Praying girl. I still believe that she is yours. I'm claiming that. And I'm praying for all of you.

[Headless Mom]

The cool thing? I believe God WILL pull it off. Praying for the King's safety, and for the team with him. Praying for her birth parents and that they are prepared for this visit. Praying for you and the Princess to be calm in the comfort of Jesus while you wait for news. That's right. Our God is bigger than we can even imagine! (Take that, Guatemalan adoption bureaucrats! ;-)

[Capri Kel]

Sometimes, I think God does His BEST work when we get to the end of our human selves.

Praying you will be a family of 4. Real soon.

[bethany ellis]

We're watching your story unfold with bated breath and confidence that God is lovingly at work - doing so many different things through this situation: growing you, stretching you and your family, working in little La P, and who knows what else behind the scenes!! Thank you for sharing your God-adventure!

[Fuschia]

Okay so I'm having a deeply emotionally charged day...and then I read THIS! It doesn't make what I'm dealing with any easier, but it does make me stop and be thankful that I am not dealing with YOUR challenges.

And I think that is the lesson here: God gives each of us GRACE to face what WE must face...hold on to that truth my friend, hold on VERY, VERY tight!

We are praying.

[Dana Jones]

I don't know what to say. I guess I wonder if this was kind of a scam on the hearts of people who fall in love with these children, just to get them medical care. And then I think, but if you had known that up front, wouldn't you still want her to get the care she needs. Of course you would. It makes me think of the story of Solomon and the baby and the two mothers. You would not want her to have a half life, and would rather give her the fullest life if that is what is demanded of you. Because you have the heart to be her mother.

[Erin K.]

The thing that struck me as I read this post is that this is exactly the lengths that God will go to rescue ME. Your husband's journey is a living parable, displaying God's heart for me, and his desire to see me cared for and set free and healed. Not because I deserve it. Not because I earned it. Not because I'm good enough. Just because he loves me. How beautiful!

Thank you so much for sharing your adoption journey with us. I will certainly be praying for all of you!

[RLR]

Oh... I just have no words - except the prayer that is on my heart for all of you. ALL of you. Blessings...

[Dawn W]

Oh... WOW!!! Only God could write a script like this. I'll be praying for the King, you, La P's parents, and La P over the next few days and checking your blog for an update every single chance I get.

[Lisa King]

Wow!!! I am deeply moved that your husband is going to find her parents. That is awesome! I pray that God will prepare their hearts for such an unexpected visitor(I mean can you imagine?), that they might see God's amazing love through your husband, and that they will realize how much you guys love her and will want what is truly best for her!

[Kara @ Me-Moddy]

Seriously now. Lots of goosebumps are happening. :-) I cannot believe this news!!! I clicked on your blog not expecting to hear anything and what I find is that your husband is on a safari to look for La P's birth parents and ask if you guys can adopt her??? Your friend is right. God likes getting big credit when he does BIG miracles and I am pretty sure he is setting you up for something amazing. I am just going to pretend that this "movie" is paused on Tivo and I am just going to have to pray, pray, pray to hear how the story ends in your posts to follow. So excited for your family of whom I don't even know, but totally feel God's hand upon! Love and prayers from Missouri!!

[Alicia]

A REAL father will go to the ends of the earth--literally--for his child. :)

Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Jen]

Oh Queen B! I'm so proud of you and your family for sticking with this and fighting for that sweet little girl! No matter what comes about, you will have done what was right! And that, my friend, is no small task!

Sending LOTS of prayers!
Jennifer

[jean]

I am so torn by my feelings. I, of course hope her parents want her back and will be able to care for her. But, and this is the hard one, I hope they don't. I hope they say, here, take her, love her and that she gets to come home to you. I don't know what to say. Instead I'm just going to ask God to do what is best for LaP. And hope that it's what is best for you.

[Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory]

Please pass the tissues! I am praying very hard for The King and La P's parents and you and the princess!

[misty]

We recently found out that our daughter (whom we've had guardianship of for 6 years) is unadoptable by us... devestating...

My point in telling you is that my heart is praying for you and your sweet girl... Your words about God are so true.

[Heather]

Praying for you and your family during this process. Our God is an amazing God.

[Kelly @ Love Well]

Dude.

What a roller coaster.

I'm praying right now for God to release La P into your home. And if not? I'm praying for His mercy and His peace and His wisdom. I know there's a reason for all this, Beth. It's just so hard to see when we're hanging on for our lives.

[JenniferB]

Oh -- the amazing things that are happening! I will certainly pray for the King on his journey, as well as everyone else, and that things will go the way God wants them to, for La P's sake.

[Hannah]

Praying for you, QB! God's will is perfect, and He will do what's best for everyone in this. Reminds me of the Israelites -- they thought walking through the Red Sea was impossible, too, until God opened up the ocean. He's watching over all of you.

[Teri]

Praying for God's will to be done in all your lives. PLEASE keep us updated! Blessings from Texas

[Erin]

WOW!!! I am praying for you all! I know the ups and downs of adoption (we adopted our daughter from our state foster system) - I pray that God works it all out!

[Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)]

Wow! I'll pray.

[fabthemayor]

Praying in Atlanta! Unbelievable! God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

[Kayren]

I read both posts at the same time since I haven't been on the computer much. Oh, my! I'll definitely be praying, and anxiously awaiting an update from Guatemala (via you, of course).