Court Today....

We had court this morning for Tali's case. Thanks so much to all of you who wrote to let me know you were praying.... we have an amazing support system in our friends and family. Thanks, guys.

I'll give you my perspective our situation based on the information that I learned today. Basically, if all goes as it looks (almost certainly) like it will go, Tali will be going home with her birth mom in the relatively near future. In the last couple of weeks, she has begun to really take initiative to get her "stuff" together to complete the requirements laid out for her by the court and by her case plan. She still has a little ways to go, but if she continues on this track, my guess is that she'll have custody of Tali within 4-6 weeks. The recommendations of the gal that I know who's the Court Services Officer, the DA, the case worker, the guardian ad lidem (a court-appointed attorney for Tali), etc...are all on the same page...and they all feel that Tali's mom should be given a chance to parent her, to start with a clean slate. Apparently they've done their investigations and have found more people who know her (pastor, therapist, old case workers, etc.....) that feel like she IS a fit parent, than those who think she's not. And my guess is that the "she is a fit parent" opinions are based on newer information than the others.

So, bottom line, if things keep going the way that it looks like they'll go, Tali will not be ours permanently.

We are very sad.... I have cried lots this afternoon.... and yet, we both have lots of peace at the same time. We also know, even in the midst of our grief that is based on how things look NOW, that God is very BIG and He WILL have His way in this little one's life, and in our lives. We are praying now that if there are things in regards to the birth mom or her current lifestyle that need to be brought into the light that have not been revealed yet, that this will happen quickly. God is capable of turning this entire thing around in an instant. So we are asking Him to have His way, to let nothing stand in the way of His best for Tali's life...whichever outcome that ends up being. And we are trusting Him to continue to carry us and hold our hearts through this process. He is a GOOD Father, completely worthy of our trust....and He equips us for that which He asks of us....so we can do ALL things through Him who is our strength....and His strength is made perfect in our weakness....so to JESUS be the glory in all of this, no matter what happens.

We love you guys and are thankful for you....and as always, we'll keep ya posted.