Nine months ago we decided to pursue the adoption of a little boy by the name of Aaron who was listed on Reece’s Rainbow. It’s been a long journey filled with roadblocks and barriers that have tested our faith and resolve time and again. Each time we have encountered a crisis, we have cried out to the Lord in our weakness and need, and God in His mercy has lifted us up. In so many different and amazing ways we have seen Him move, work and orchestrate this process for His glory and for a purpose that is far beyond anything we ever imagined.
Tomorrow we go to court. We need much grace. Over the last two weeks there have been many meetings and discussions concerning our court case. We have not taken part in any of these meetings, and we don’t know many details. Our facilitators have hired a lawyer and other advocates in hopes that on Thursday afternoon, we will be able to walk out of court with one more son. For a few brief days we believed that Aaron would not have to appear in court, and we quietly rejoiced at the news. Papers were already on record saying that he was too young and too disabled for the judge to require him to appear. We did not post this news, because deep in our hearts we were afraid to push the issue with this particular judge. Yesterday we learned that our team has decided to take Aaron to court anyway, and for that very reason. Although their decision validated our feelings on the matter, we still think it’s unfair to him, especially since we have been told that he will not be allowed to sit with us in court.
Our court tomorrow will begin around 10:00 am. That is 3:00 am Eastern time. There are concerns on every level as we go into court tomorrow. On a public blog all we can say is, “Please pray.” Please pray that God’s peace will reign in our hearts throughout the process and that we will have the wisdom to speak with clarity and boldness about why we desire for Aaron to become our son. Pray for the judge, the prosecutor and the jury that their hearts will be open and receptive to our words. Pray for dear Aaron that he will not be afraid as the judge questions him. Pray for our facilitator, Luda, that she will be wise in her words with us and with the judge. Pray for the lawyer who will be representing Aaron in the courtroom, who is arriving today. Pray for the other advocates who will be present, the caretakers, the social worker and the SDA representative. Pray that God’s peace will reign over that courtroom.
We are clinging with all of our might to the promise that God will not abandon us in our time of need. No matter what happens tomorrow, God is Good. He is Loving, He is Holy and He will ultimately receive all Glory and Honor and Praise!
PSALM 146: 5-10
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
The Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
We are storming the gates of Heaven for you! On our knees...
ReplyDeletePraying for your family to find favor with the decision makers of the court. Praying for protection of the heart of your young son in court. This is the part of the symphony where we are all sitting on the edge of our seats and longing for the wild music with it's dissonant chords to come to a resolution. Then we will all breathe a sigh of relief. Go with God Nalle family!!
ReplyDeleteplease lord let things work out for this family give this boy a home..and lead him to god thorugh his family.
ReplyDeletehere, still praying -
ReplyDeleteI am praying very hard for you today..The girls and I had a special prayer time for you, your family, Aaron and all the other lost boys this morning before leaving for school...May the Lord bless and keep you.
ReplyDeleteCanadian Kim :)
I have a really good feeling about all of this. Why would they make you jump through all these hoops just to say no. Just believe that it all will go well and you will be home with your son soon.
ReplyDeleteI have a question- is Aaron the name you chose or the Reece's Rainbow name? I like the name but just wondering if you chose another name for your son like some families do. What a great future you will give your new son.
Continuous prayers.... I can't wait to read your post tomorrow that announces you all officially have another son!
ReplyDeleteWe are praying now and will be tomorrow. Seriously, I just keep crying...what is up with me. I am not a crier. My heart has so been touched by this journey you have walked and I can't wait to hear that Aaron is coming home.
ReplyDeleteMuch grace and strength friends
Continuing to pray for court day.
ReplyDeletePraying from Virginia
ReplyDeleteFasting and praying for you all today...and setting the clock for 3am to pray then. I felt like He was nudging me to add you to Linny At a Place Called Simplicity's day of adoption fasting/prayer; hope it's OK. http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-does-it-have-to-be-so-hard-part-2.html We have Psalm 68:6 painted on the wall with our family photos..."He sets the lonely in families". Praying it is His plan to be for Aaron in YOUR family tomorrow. God bless, Jennifer
ReplyDeleteJulia, Do you know if Aaron grasps any of this? He is he aware what will happen tomorrow and what will be asked of him? Does he have an answer? (I keep meaning to ask you how you guys are even communicating with him - and that might be a great blog post for once he's WITH you - after tomorrow - as you travel to get him ready to come home!!!) We will definitely pray for comfort and peace and strength and courage for Aaron and for him to feel in his heart your love for him and the love of God, for the judge and jury and everyone else involved to have the strength to do what is right for this child - which is for him to be your son.
ReplyDeletePraying and fasting here in Colorado that your Aaron will be set free! We are praying together for each of the requests listed on our blog...and yours came thru someone elses blog...I am thrilled to see your Aaron...as Ihave prayed for him when I saw him on Reece's Rainbow...
ReplyDeleteHe who promised is faithful and He will NOT disappoint! Standing with you...till Aaron is safe forever in your arms...
I will definately be praying.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and precious Aaron!!
ReplyDeleteI will be setting my alarm for 3am to get up and pray for Aaron and your whole family. Much love.
ReplyDeleteAdding my prayers for you and for Aaron, that everything works out peacefully for you.
ReplyDeleteStill praying ....
ReplyDeleteCan't even speak. Am going to be up praying and freaking out. Love you all.
ReplyDeleteHello there. I have been following your story for a while though I have never commented before (don't know why!). I found you through the Reeses Rainbow site. My family is sending all of our good thoughts towards you on this most important day. I am so touched by your family and by Aaron. Praying for you in Port Townsend, Washington, The Brown Family. (Gina Brown)
ReplyDeletePRAYING!!!! God will deliver Aaron from the life of an orphan!!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Illinois,
Amy <><
Nalle Family,
ReplyDeleteI do not know you personally, but I have been following your story for the past few months on your blog. I am so greatly touched by the love and kindness you show for Aaron, and I will be sending thoughts and prayers your way today and always!
Prayers are coming all the way from Minnesota!
God will not abandon nor forsake you. Be strong in your faith, knowing there are hundreds if not thousands of people praying with you and for you right now.
ReplyDeleteJulia and Rob,
ReplyDeleteJust writing to let you know that I'm praying that court goes smoothly, that the judge and others involved will be touched by God's Spirit and will make their decisions with Aaron's best interest at heart, and God willing that Aaron will soon officially be your son! Also praying for peace for you and Aaron during the process.
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go [even to court!]." Joshua 1:9 NIV
"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33:14 KJV
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Pam Kendall
Standing in the gap tonight for you!
ReplyDeleteIn Christ,
janet and gang
Praying in Wisconsin for your family to grow by one! I keep checking your blog for updates praying to see "He is OURS"...may God give you the peace you need to make it through court, give little Aaron comfort being in a new unfamilar place and for the judge to have a soft heart and see the wonderful family standing before them waiting to make this little boy one of their own.
ReplyDeletePraying for you in N.H.!
ReplyDeletePraying so hard for the Judge to find the courage to say "yes" in the face of everything she has culturally been taught to believe . . . Our God is able and mighty to save. . .
ReplyDeletepraying and fasting for you today - Eph. 3:20 - God you are more than able to do things beyond our imagination. Please blanket this family and Aaron with your mercy tomorrow, breaking down the walls and opening the doors for many more children to come home.
ReplyDeletePraying for you from Texas! Know that God is with you and Aaron.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, for Aaron, for the court attendees - and knowing that God has this in His control. That this day has been set before Him and will not slip by without His attending to it. May God's perfect peace fill your soul. May this region and institute open up that not just Aaron find a home, but that others could as well.
ReplyDeleteCharrissa Browning
It's 1:30am. Up and Covering you in PRAYER!!! We will be Praying you through
ReplyDeletecourt!!! Lord, we are on our knees in agreement before you! Please soften and
prepare the heart of this judge. Please help the judge see the Love and the
Bond that has already formed and that Aaron is Already their Son and that his
place is Safe at Home with his Family where he will have More Love and More
Opportunity to Grow and Thrive than she could ever imagine!!! Please allow this
region to open up and for countless other children to find homes, a future, and
a hope! And Abundantly Bless this Amazing Family that is Carrying the Torch and
Blazing a Trail for other children to find their Forever Families! In your
Precious Heavenly Name!!!
Amen! Amen! Amen!!!!
Storming the Gates of Heaven in Prayer and Petition for You!!!
John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may
bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do
it" .
Matthew 17:20 "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you"
It's 1:30am. Up and Covering you in PRAYER!!! We will be Praying you through
ReplyDeletecourt!!! Lord, we are on our knees in agreement before you! Please soften and
prepare the heart of this judge. Please help the judge see the Love and the
Bond that has already formed and that Aaron is Already their Son and that his
place is Safe at Home with his Family where he will have More Love and More
Opportunity to Grow and Thrive than she could ever imagine!!! Please allow this
region to open up and for countless other children to find homes, a future, and
a hope! And Abundantly Bless this Amazing Family that is Carrying the Torch and
Blazing a Trail for other children to find their Forever Families! In your
Precious Heavenly Name!!!
Amen! Amen! Amen!!!!
Storming the Gates of Heaven in Prayer and Petition for You!!!
John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may
bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do
it" .
Matthew 17:20 "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you"
This song really inspires my husband, Jeff, and I. Tonight it makes me think of you. We are PRAYING HARD!!!
ReplyDeleteVoice of Truth
By Casting Crowns
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth
I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteMore prayers from Texas! Praying for you and all involved in court tomorrow. I do not know you, but have been following your blog - it is so inspiring, and you and Aaron are so brave. Your words and story provide such a wonderful example for those of us feeling the early call to explore adoption; thank you for taking time to post in the midst of all else you are trying to do. May God bless your family - and add one more to it soon!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is now 12:50 South African time- I think it is 13:50 where you are. Wondering how court went-still praying for all of you. Anxiously waiting for good news!
ReplyDeleteIt's 10:30 EST and I'm anxious to know what happened!
ReplyDeleteIt astounds me that an individual with even minimal common sense would ever consider ruling against this adoption. Who in their right mind would opt to keep a child in an institution vs. a capable, loving family? (A loving family that has spent thousands of dollars and taken months out of their lives to pursue this child's adoption.) It simply doesn't make sense.
I can't think of any situation -- aside from an abusive home -- that would be worse than an institution (and I'm sure some could make an argument that even an abusive home is better than some EE institutions!)I'm genuinely perplexed. It seems like such a no brainer.
Here's hoping for a favorable outcome!
-Truewell
I haven't stopped thinking about you guys.....wondering how court went.....trying to decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing that there's no post.....
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hope it's a good thing!
Have been praying through the day and will continue to.
ReplyDeletewaiting, praying, claiming victory in his name
ReplyDelete