God's Hand

"The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." Proverbs 21:1

When Tiff and I were approached three weeks ago with the opportunity to adopt Aundreus "MoMo" Kalijah Hoganson into our family we new that it was God's desire for our lives and our responsibility to His Kingdom and Mo, but what we didn't know is how it would all play out and impact our almost emanate move to Belize. Two weeks ago the Utah court system was ready to grant full custody of Mo back to his mother, but because of a change of heart the courts were introduced with the news that Mo's custody would be granted over to Tiffany and I. This order was late in the game and no one really new what would be the outcome and what the courts would rule. It was so unique with a voluntary relinquish of custody, to us being out of the state, to our mission trip, etc... that no one quite new what the judge would rule. Knowing that Mo had now become our first priority in the Lord we began to prepare for another season in Utah, trying to figure out where we would stay, where to work, etc... So about a week ago we packed up our dogs and basically everything we own in the van we intended to drive to Central America to attend what we hoped would be a final custody hearing for Mo. When we arrived to the courts that day we spoke with our case worker and she really had no great insight on what the outcome would be. The only comments we had heard is that one of the lawyers kind of mocked at our missions trip to central America because it wasn't an official LDS mission. As the court began and all primary statements were given there was nothing in favor of the custody happening that day. There were objections to the quickness of everything, to our leaving the country, and there was a desire to have a family team meeting to set up a transition plan with therapy involved. At this point Tiff and I looked at each other as to acknowledge a season back in Utah would be the outcome, BUT it was at this moment I believe that hand of Jesus began to intercede. The judge began to explain to us the situation and what it meant and then asked us what it all meant to us, we acknowledge the responsibility and my only comment to her was that Mo was simply a "gift" to our family. Following this the discussion the hearts began to change, the conversation moved from postponing to finalizing the custody right then. It was unbelievable, God's goodness began to shine forth like a sunrise on a clear morning. When the ruling went down our case worker literally turned around jaw to floor in amazement. I could only think, God's favor. His faithfulness was refreshing, it confirmed our trip to Belize, it saved us from having to hire lawyers and pursue custody apart from the state, and it saved months of drawing the adoption out. It was powerful and glorious, and crazily enough three hours later we were in the post office expediting Mo's passport for entry into Belize. Thank you for everyone's support and prayers during this process, and praise your Lord and King for ruling and reigning.