Praying for a Christmas miracle

Sometimes the plans we make don’t exactly match the one God has for us. Perhaps it takes longer or there just doesn't seem to be a swift resolution.  The road curves or has obstacles in the way that sometimes feel insurmountable. We had hoped and planned long ago to have Muaysai by Christmas but it became clear that it was not possible.  We realized this several months ago when we heard of the hiccup in her paperwork and if you remember I asked in my last post (August) to please pray that her paperwork would be completed by Christmas not even really knowing what paperwork it was.  Well here we are, approaching Christmas, so it's time to pray!!! 

We had the opportunity to see her assessment just last week and I wasn’t prepared for the tears that rolled down my cheeks.  You see, I have never met Muaysai, never held her hand, never have our eyes met.  Yet my love for her is as if she was in my womb.  I know this is going to change things for our family more than we can imagine or adequately prepare for, but I am whole-heartedly ready.  Isn’t that just what God asks of us in our relationship with Him? To take the leap of faith and trust in Him.  I have a print up in our home that reads, “Be brave, Stand apart.”  I have always been drawn to it, the mystery of what lies on the other side each time we step forth with courage and faith.  Even if things don’t go as planned, I know I am part of a master plan that is being written in real time of which I am not the Master.  This gives me such peace.  I can shed the need for control and rest in His goodness and boy is there much goodness to be had!

I received an email from our social worker the other day asking how we were doing and if we wanted to continue to wait for Muaysai given that her adoptability paperwork had not progressed.   For a split moment, I second guessed that maybe we needed to change our plan and make a different decision.  Then I thought to myself, absolutely not... if we don’t fight for Muaysai, who will?  I don’t know what is on the other side of this fight and where it will lead but I am amidst the battle and not about to let up.  Part of me feared that this was not going to be as easy as we had initially thought.  A few days later we received more details from our agency on the stop issue with Muaysai.  A new Director of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), which is the supervisory authority of Baan Fueng Fah child caring agency where Muaysai lives, needs to agree to transfer the name of Muaysai, among other children, to Pakkred Babies’ DCY Home care which is the process needed to make her adoptable.  It was actually the previous director we discovered who had decided to suddenly stop allowing children to be transferred to the DCY Pakkred Babies’ Home, but she retired September 30th and this new director seems more willing to consider transfer of authority/paperwork for these children.  This is great news amidst our prolonged waiting, but I still want to do something more active to help the process.  You see I called out to God a while back asking Him to help us get the paperwork we needed complete by the arbitrary date of Christmas.  You guys, I was just informed today that there will be a meeting MID-DECEMBER to discuss this very issue!

So... this is where you come in.  I don’t care if you don’t believe in God or His plans.  (Well I do actually... but hear me through.)  I need your prayers of intercession on behalf of Muaysai’s paperwork.  I never in a million years thought I would be a “pass this post on to 10 friends” and “share.” However, I have never been more passionate about anything!!! (Well besides my husband.)  So here is what we are going to do... get as many people as possible to pray for Muaysai 12/14, Monday night at 8:00pm.  (This will be 11am Tuesday Thai time.) Of course you can pray anytime you want... but I believe in the power of numbers and more importantly the power of Christ, our living Savior!  Please join me in praying:

“Lord, we come together to pray with a heavy heart.  We know there are many hurting around the world and we pray comfort for them.  We know that you know Muaysai and we pray for her right now.  We pray that you move in the heart of this new director to help transfer authority to the DCY system which will make her adoptable.  Please guide the meeting they will soon have (likely this week) to allow for Muaysai’s paperwork to progress so she can be adopted.  Make swift the Thai government’s approval to confirm and then sign off on her paperwork so that the Kroeger’s might be able to move this adoption process forward.  Lord, we pray for Muaysai’s parents wherever they are.  Give them peace and hope and comfort.  Please relieve any burden of sorrow they might have.  Keep them safe wherever they are.  Please intercede and help with the transfer paperwork so Muaysai might be able to be adopted and have the Kroeger family to call her own.  We know Your power and ask for Your help.  No task is too little or too great.  May you use us mightily in your master plan.  We praise You for your faithfulness to us.

As your body, all your people together say AMEN! 

Thank you so much!  I know there are many people sick and hurting in this world and we are so grateful to have your prayer, support and love through this process.  May you have a very Merry Christmas and experience Christ’s love in a special way this holiday season! ❤️

This picture was taken during our trip to the Grand Canyon this past October.  Our crew hiked a few miles together on a somewhat strenuous but beautiful portion of the Bright Angel trail.  "Cheers to paths less travelled!"