An Update on "M^" and a Lenten Devotion . . . "Did no one condemn you?"

An update on "M^":

On Monday we received our 171h!  YEAH!!!  This is good.  This means that the US government has approved us for another international adoption.  Having that form means that we get to file another form to the US government.  Oh . . . so many forms!  The next form (I-600) takes our paperwork from the US and matches it up with "M^"s paperwork from Ethiopia.  Awesome we are all ready to send that in . . . well we are.  There's a problem.  "M^"s paperwork is not completely ready in Ethiopia.  So . . . this is what we're waiting for.  The orphanage has known that "M^" had a family (us) interested in adopting her since September.  6 months later we are still waiting on her paperwork.  Ugh! 

I talked with our social worker today.   She says that word from Ethiopia is "M^"s Ethiopia paperwork will be finished in about 1-2 weeks.  I pray that she's correct!  Here's the process from there . . .

Receive "M^"s Ethiopia paperwork
File I-600 to US government
Wait 3 months
Get PAIR letter from US government approving the match of "M^" and our family
Wait 1 more month for court date
Head to Ethiopia for a court date, embassy date and after about 3 weeks in Ethiopia bring "M^" HOME!

So, there is still a long way to go.  Here's the specific prayers we need right now.  Please pray that "M^"s paperwork gets finished and quickly!  Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers.  We can feel the love and support we have on this journey!


And now my Lenten Devotion:

"Did no one condemn you?" (John 8:10) . . .

Jesus was teaching when the church leaders brought in a woman accused of sin in the community.  She could have been stoned, but instead Jesus stood up for her by reminding the church leaders that only someone who had not sinned could throw a stone.  Jesus then asks her "Did no one condemn you?"  He asked her if there was anyone left sinless that could pass judgment on her.  There was none.  Then the most important thing happened . . . Jesus, the only one being perfect that could condemn her, bestowed grace upon her.  Jesus said "I will not condemn you either.  Go and sin no more." 

This question to the woman who sinned . . . "Did no one condemn you?" . . . makes me think about how often we pass jugdement on others.  So often we are quick to quote the rules to others and slow to extend grace.  So often we look at the sins of another and condemn them because, in our eyes, they sin differently - an therefore worse than we do.  We all sin.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  We all NEED Christ and the sacrifice He made for us. 

Tonight I pray for patience . . . patience and grace.  Grace from others and grace towards others.