Two weeks ago or so I watched an almost 15 year old blow out candles on his cake. It was supposed to be a celebration but instead it carried the weight of finality with it. A last “adoptable” birthday, a marker of time passing, a milestone for sure, but not one for celebration. I sadly didn’t realize this until the candles were lit. And while we smiled and sang, reality washed over my heart, and I came to see how one so young can fail to be strong on days like today.
What did you so seriously and intently wish? Someday I will ask you.
Today I carry in my heart two pictures, the beautiful smile that most of the time so readily appears and the boy whom hope has left behind.
I struggle with whether to even share this much as I want to tuck our story away, protect it as ours, hide it from the harsh judgment of the bright light of day, but in it there is a reality that we all must face. Within it is a call to love that will break our hearts.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deut 31:6
Last night we received word that we have been granted an audience and an ear in front of key decision makers within two different governments beginning on Monday. As the weekend closes in around us please be praying that hearts thousands of miles away will be aligned with God’s will, that He will go before us and move this mountain, and that He will bring this sweet boy home as our son. I am awestruck by what God has done thus far, to be standing at this place. Adoption has been closed between our countries for 10 years. We stand in a position to possibly make history and it’s humbling to be playing even the tiniest part in this enormous story by just making ourselves available. Please, please will you be part of it too? Can we storm the gates of heaven with prayers over the next four days, prayers that God will do the impossible and officially and legally make us his family? He has already transformed our hearts to recognize it. We need the courts recognize it as well.
“Are you going to be ok if this doesn’t happen?” my husband asked me last night.
“I guess I’ll have to be.”
“That’s not really an answer,” he said.
This was never my idea in the first place so if God has turned my heart from fear of opening our home to the terror of a homecoming never realized I have to trust that He will heal my heart from that prayer left unanswered as well. This is not about me at all any more if in fact it ever was. This is about a boy who is hurting. This is about a boy for whom God must have a mighty plan. I am finding that the weeping hot mess of a woman from February and March has been fortified, is filled with passion, fiercely strong and ready to fight.
Wouldn’t this make a magnificent, holy, 15th birthday present from his Father. The knowledge that he is no longer alone in this world. The Day, this Tuesday, is circled on the calendar. I know He’s able. I know He can. Will you join us in praying that He will? Our son needs brought home.
To be continued…again
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.””
Exodus 14:14 NLT
“Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.”
Joshua 23:8 NLT
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 NLT
“Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him!”
Zechariah 4:6 NLT
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
““But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
Run and Be Still 
Ashley I will storm the gates of heaven with you all the next four days. Love & Prayers, Margo Draa
Thank you Margo! This means so much to all of us. I can’t wait to share with our sweet boy how many people have been praying for him!
We are praying with all of you too Ashley!
Thank you so so much!
Ashley,
I, too, believe that God has a mighty plan for this Boy and for you and your family. I will be vigilant in my prayers as I know this is your heart’s desire, to give and show this young Boy that God has not forsaken Him by denying Him a loving and supporting family. Whether that support comes from Him being in your home or from afar this Boy will never have to be “alone” again.
Thank you my dear friend for all of the prayers and support. ❤️
When God is moving no one can stop Him. Praying for your family to be together soon and forever.