30-Day Notice :(

Today we received our 30-day notice, meaning, within 30-45 days we are to anticipate moving Tali in with her birth mom. The good news is that because Missouri approved placement, there will be continued supervision (visits) by a MO caseworker for 6-12 months. We have stated, and will continue to state to anyone who will listen, that we are very committed to Tali and are more than willing to jump through whatever hoops are necessary in order to have her placed with us again (across state lines) should she ever need to be in state custody again. The plan right now is 2 overnights (this Fri. and next), then 2 full weekends with birth mom, and then we will move her.

The grief feels overwhelming to me right now. It is surreal to me that in a few short weeks Tali won't be in our home anymore. I can't get my head or my heart around it. I know that God is good....and we will worship Him in the midst of this because He is worthy....but I do not feel strong right now.

Prayer requests:
-Pray for a miracle. He is the God of the 11th hour....He could totally still do something wild and stop this train.
-IF this really does have to happen....

• Pray that He'll protect Tali's heart...that she won't pick up any feelings of rejection, that the transition will be smooth for her, that Jesus will carry her through all of this and that He would TANGIBLY be her anchor, her constant source of peace and safety.
• Pray for our hearts, that we'll be able to fully trust Him with Tali, that He'll continue to give us His peace.
• Pray that we'll know how to grieve fully and begin to move on, while always loving T. wholeheartedly and praying for her...
• Pray that birth mom will allow us to stay in touch with Tali, maybe to babysit on occasion, etc.
• Pray that birth mom will have wisdom in her parenting of Tali, that she will exercise good judgment, make wise choices, be able to keep Tali safe and away from the wrong people/influences/tv shows, etc, etc....
• Continue to pray that if there is anything that is hidden, it will be brought into the light....
• And pray however else the Lord leads you to pray.

We so appreciate all of you. Thank you so much for walking with us.