Isaiah 43:18-19 “¹⁸Forget what happened in the past,
and do not dwell on events from long ago.
¹⁹I am going to do something new.
It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?
I will clear a way in the desert.
I will make rivers on dry land.”

After many weeks of assessments and meetings and tears, Sofija started her new school today.  She had her clothes on before her feet ever hit the floor and for the first time since we brought her home, she didn’t ask for food as soon as she awoke.  She said, “Let’s go to school!  Come on!  Let’s go ride the school bus!”

After rushing through her breakfast and getting frustrated over how long it took me to comb her hair, she camped out in the bay window in anticipation of the number one item on her life list.  The bright yellow school bus.

I was helping Seth pack his backpack when I heard the screeching of the bus brakes.  I have to confess that I love that sound myself.  My beloved Maw Maw drove a school bus for thirty-six years.  Screeching bus brakes are as comforting to me as mac & cheese or pot roast.  Before the screeching stopped Sofija had run down the stairs to our front door and swung it open.  Before I could catch up, she was on the front seat of the bus, clapping and squealing with delight as the attendant buckled her in.

When I picked her up from school at 12:30 I was told that the day went well until she realized that she doesn’t get to ride home on the school bus.  She was not so happy with me when I told her that she had to ride home in Stan the Van.  I however, was quite content.  Nobody looked frazzled or overwhelmed and I realized very quickly that Sofija knew that she belonged there and she understood what is expected of her there.  Without a doubt, she’s in the right place.

The afternoon was spent interviewing behavioral therapist.  Our river is flowing.  We have three to choose between and right now I’m just praying that God will make the choice so evident that we don’t really have to think about it.  The crazy part is that all three options are pretty spectacular.  One of them comes with a sidekick who is working on HIS board certification as a behavioral therapist.  It is so much easier for men to establish a role in Sofija’s life just because she has had every type of dysfunctional female relationship.  So option 1 has that going for it.  Option 2 is married to a Serbian and understands the culture and the language.  Option 3 has spent her career working with post-institutionalized children.  Like I said.  Our river is flowing.  Thank you, God, for amazing options!

Can you recognize that something new is happening?  I can feel it in the depths of my soul.  I am bursting with anticipation over what I’m about to witness in the life of my child.

And I have faith that God already has the details worked out.  He’s already chosen who will be a part in this chapter of Sofija’s story.

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you. So don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.”