At the risk of sounding like a complete nerd, I'm going to let you in on a little secret about myself....I have a habit of collecting words. (You're probably wondering what in the world I'm talking about..keep reading, and I'll explain.)
My little collection of words is made up of words that stir my soul, speak directly to my heart, cause me to laugh, smile, or cry. They are words written together in such a way that they leave me thinking, "Oh, how I wish I had written that!"
Imagine my joy last week when I ran across a sentence that I could add to my collection ;). From the book I was reading, these words jumped out at me--"They endure because of the joy that is to come."
I love this sentence because it's the perfect answer for a question that I get asked a lot---how do you do it??
So, how and why do we endure the emotional roller coaster known as the adoption process; how and why do we wait, while having no exact time for when the waiting will end? They endure because of the joy that is to come.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
some say we've missed it.
Today, someone told me that because of the long wait for Sam, Jeremy and I have missed the "best part."
It's true that we've missed quite a bit--the feel of holding a newborn, middle of the night feedings, teething, crawling, walking, his first word, first haircut, the first time he slept through the night, his whole first year, and the list goes on. Oh, yes, we've missed plenty of things, but we haven't missed the best part because the best is yet to come!
The best part will be when I see him for the first time.
The best part will be when we get off the airplane as we finally bring our sweet boy home.
The best part will be hearing his voice, his laughter, and even his cry.
The best part will be the feeling of finally being able to hold our sweet boy.
The best part will be having our house filled with the sounds and movement of a two year old.
The best part will be found in the years that lay ahead of us.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
14 months of waiting
According to the latest update, there is a family who has received their court date and another family who is getting ready to travel for their baby! Both of these families are, obviously, ahead of us in the "paperwork line."
There's no way to tell how long our paperwork will be in the government. This Thursday it will be three weeks since it was submitted. We are so, so thankful that it has finally been submitted, and we are praying that it moves through the government swiftly. Specifically, I'm praying that we are able to travel for the first time before the end of this year.
The majority of the wait is behind us--14 months of waiting to be exact. I would love to be able to say that it's become easier to bear since we've had so much practice, but that's not the case. The wait is still difficult, with some days being harder than others.
Would you join with us in praying for a few things?
--for our paperwork to be processed quickly and without delay, allowing us to travel before the end of this year.
--for our hearts and minds to have peace during the wait
--for the One who called us to be honored in the way we wait on Him.
There's no way to tell how long our paperwork will be in the government. This Thursday it will be three weeks since it was submitted. We are so, so thankful that it has finally been submitted, and we are praying that it moves through the government swiftly. Specifically, I'm praying that we are able to travel for the first time before the end of this year.
The majority of the wait is behind us--14 months of waiting to be exact. I would love to be able to say that it's become easier to bear since we've had so much practice, but that's not the case. The wait is still difficult, with some days being harder than others.
Would you join with us in praying for a few things?
--for our paperwork to be processed quickly and without delay, allowing us to travel before the end of this year.
--for our hearts and minds to have peace during the wait
--for the One who called us to be honored in the way we wait on Him.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
a call to prayer
This week, I stumbled upon one of the most heartbreaking news stories I've ever read. Buried deep between the latest celebrity gossip and the weird, odd news stories on Yahoo, was a story about American families using the internet to "re-home" (read: abandon) their adopted children.
The details in this news story are disturbing and heartbreaking. Reading them filled me with anger and sorrow at the same time--anger at those who call themselves parents and sorrow for those helpless children. How can these people pass a home study process and be qualified to adopt in the first place? Are countries so desperate for families for their older children that they are taking anyone with a pulse? Who, in their right mind, would do something like this to children, just give them away like you give away an animal or piece of furniture? What must these children think after praying for a family but being placed with crazy people posing as a loving family? Where are the adoption agencies, who are supposed to be providing post-placement support?
Let this news story be a call to prayer for the millions of children in this world who need homes. They are waiting for families to step forward and commit to loving them for a lifetime. Join with me in praying for these children and the families who will step forward to adopt them.
The details in this news story are disturbing and heartbreaking. Reading them filled me with anger and sorrow at the same time--anger at those who call themselves parents and sorrow for those helpless children. How can these people pass a home study process and be qualified to adopt in the first place? Are countries so desperate for families for their older children that they are taking anyone with a pulse? Who, in their right mind, would do something like this to children, just give them away like you give away an animal or piece of furniture? What must these children think after praying for a family but being placed with crazy people posing as a loving family? Where are the adoption agencies, who are supposed to be providing post-placement support?
Let this news story be a call to prayer for the millions of children in this world who need homes. They are waiting for families to step forward and commit to loving them for a lifetime. Join with me in praying for these children and the families who will step forward to adopt them.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
a wonderful group of people
My day was made this morning simply by being with our church family again. After being gone for two Sundays, I was excited to worship with them this morning. But, our Sunday School class made an already great day even better when they surprised us with a showering of gifts for Sam!
Not only are Jeremy and I thankful for the wonderful things they gave us this morning for Sam, we are so thankful for the unwavering support they've given us during this very long journey. This is a group who has cried with us and rejoiced with us; they have prayed over us and for us; they have given of their time and money to help in so many ways, and they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our sweet boy. This group has gone above and beyond in their support, and it blows us away!
To our friends in the Marriage & Family Class, you are the very BEST! It is a privilege to study God's word with you each week and live it out together! We love you and can't wait for Sam to know and love you, too!!
Not only are Jeremy and I thankful for the wonderful things they gave us this morning for Sam, we are so thankful for the unwavering support they've given us during this very long journey. This is a group who has cried with us and rejoiced with us; they have prayed over us and for us; they have given of their time and money to help in so many ways, and they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our sweet boy. This group has gone above and beyond in their support, and it blows us away!
To our friends in the Marriage & Family Class, you are the very BEST! It is a privilege to study God's word with you each week and live it out together! We love you and can't wait for Sam to know and love you, too!!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
what I want sam to know
Tragedy is, unfortunately, a part of life. It sneaks up on people and changes their "normal." This is what's happened to a family I know through school, and my heart breaks for a mother and son living out a new normal. It also makes me think of Sam--how I would I react, what would I tell him, how would I help his heart heal?? There aren't any easy answers to those questions..
Oh, sweet, Sam,
Life can be hard, and it's far from fair. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people for seemingly no reason at all. It's times like these when you'll wonder where God is or why He would allow such things. These are questions that most everyone has at some point, and they're questions that indicate a fork in the road of life. God is always present, even when it doesn't seem like it. When tragedy hits, it's not because God has taken a break or left you. Like a fork in the road, there are only two options here: God is always with us or He's not. What you believe here will dictate how you respond to everything around you and determine what direction you head on the road of life.
As for why God allows certain things, I don't know. But, go back to that fork in the road; there are only two options here: God is in control and will work all things for our good or He is not in control and can't keep bad things from happening. If you believe that God is in control, then you will be able to better survive the hard times in life. You may not always understand them, but trust that God will, one day, make all things right. This will give you a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
I don't know how to explain answers to all the hard questions in life, but I know that what God's word says is always true--He is always with us and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Don't let the tragedies and hardships of life cause you to distance yourself from your Heavenly Father. Draw near to Him in all circumstances, and He will give you the peace that you seek.
Love you, sweet boy, more than you know!
Oh, sweet, Sam,
Life can be hard, and it's far from fair. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people for seemingly no reason at all. It's times like these when you'll wonder where God is or why He would allow such things. These are questions that most everyone has at some point, and they're questions that indicate a fork in the road of life. God is always present, even when it doesn't seem like it. When tragedy hits, it's not because God has taken a break or left you. Like a fork in the road, there are only two options here: God is always with us or He's not. What you believe here will dictate how you respond to everything around you and determine what direction you head on the road of life.
As for why God allows certain things, I don't know. But, go back to that fork in the road; there are only two options here: God is in control and will work all things for our good or He is not in control and can't keep bad things from happening. If you believe that God is in control, then you will be able to better survive the hard times in life. You may not always understand them, but trust that God will, one day, make all things right. This will give you a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
I don't know how to explain answers to all the hard questions in life, but I know that what God's word says is always true--He is always with us and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Don't let the tragedies and hardships of life cause you to distance yourself from your Heavenly Father. Draw near to Him in all circumstances, and He will give you the peace that you seek.
Love you, sweet boy, more than you know!
Monday, September 2, 2013
a package for Sam
It is always a joy to shop for Sam although it would much more fun if we weren't limited by size and weight ;). We know it won't be much longer before the size and weight of gifts won't matter.
My heart is still rejoicing at the wonderful news we received Thursday. The light at the end of the tunnel, that once seemed so dim, is now shining brighter than ever. For this, we are so thankful!
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