We Are Waiting

A couple of years ago the Praise Band at our church put together an album.  It is a great album and it has several original songs.  One of the songs in particular is called "We are Waiting".  The song speaks of how when we sow in tears we will reap in joy and is a constant reminder that God is indeed still working even when we are waiting.

Adoption is one waiting period after another.  You fill out paperwork, turn it in, and wait for the next group of paperwork.  You make a payment, then wait for the next one to be due.  You get the approval that you've been waiting on, then another approval looms in the distance.  It's like a roller coaster - not even counting the emotional ups and downs!  One of the hardest parts?  The fact that you cannot do anything other than follow directions and wait.  Nothing you can do will speed up the process.  It is out of your hands.  You just trust and obey.

Still, God is at work in the waiting.  Days that are so hard that you never think they will end do end eventually.  Money for payments that you think are impossible, God provides in a matter of days - from people and places that you never expect.  Days, weeks, and months of waiting eventually end.  And still God is on His throne and in charge of every aspect of our lives.  Faithful father.  Never changing.  Precious Savior.  Ever teaching.

Because God is so good, He sends little(or big) reminders along the way to help you keep swimming.  Updates or unexpected pictures.  Precious mothers who have already traveled and have sent pictures of our precious boy.  Words cannot express our gratitude.  A precious friend or family member gives us a gift to help us bring him home.  Again, a thank you just doesn't seem like enough.  How do you thank someone for playing a part in putting your forever family together?

7 steps.  According to the paperwork we have in hand, we only have 7 more steps to complete until we will travel to China.  I'm tempted to wish away the time.  Instead, I hope that I can stay calm, sit back, and watch God work out the rest of the details in His perfect time and way.  I pray that I will never forget everything he has taught us during this process in our family.  What He has started He will take to completion - a promise from Him that I choose to believe.

"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us - to Him be glory"  Ephesians 3:20-21

Well . . .

I can start out by giving lots of reasons why it has been so long since I posted any updates on our family, the adoption, life in general - but there is really only a simple reason.  I haven't been ready to share our life again.  With Tucker's story, I really felt like God was using Tucker's situation for a very specific purpose.  I knew without a doubt that it was meant to be shared.  So we shared almost every detail, and opened our hearts and family up to be used in any way God would use it.  I have no regrets about sharing our lives during that time and I will always be so thankful that God used my son for kingdom things. 

This blog has been a struggle for me because I haven't felt ready to put our family out there again.  I find that I am fiercely protective of the details about our lives.  However just like everything else, time moves on and God continues work and mold us.  He continues to amaze and bless our family and this time He is working miracles to bring home a precious 18 month old baby boy who is half a world away.  Again, God has chosen to gift Jason and I with the opportunity to be the parents of an amazing little boy.  The road has been long and hard and is not over yet, but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

A son.  God has given us another son.  As we started this process I just always assumed we would bring home a little girl.  I don't really know why - so when we received a referral for a little boy last September I was a bit shocked.  Of course, just like with a pregnancy - when you find out the sex of the baby the surprise or shock is quickly replaced by wonder and awe that God would choose you.  What a miracle in itself.   I get to be this child's mommy?  What have I ever done to deserve such an honor?

His name is Micah.  Sometimes we refer to him as Micah and sometimes we find ourselves using the nickname that the nannies in his orphanage use.  Sometimes we just refer to him as brother.  As in "When are we going to get my baby brother?"  

We have lots of people ask what they can do to help.  We have the best family and friends in the world.    We now have an answer to the question.  You can pray.  Here's what you can pray specifically.

1.  Pray for Micah.  Pray that he continues to be well cared for and loved while we are waiting to go.  Please pray that he will be safe.  Pray that God will even now be preparing his little heart for the most difficult thing he has ever faced - leaving the only people and place he has ever known.  Please pray that God will prepare his heart to meet the family he doesn't even know he is missing.

2.  Pray for the paperwork.  We still have steps that have to be completed before we can go.  Please pray for each set of hands that touch our paperwork.  Pray that the process will continue to go smoothly and as quickly as possible.  

3.  Pray for Lily.  Pray for her sweet heart.  She is so excited to meet her brother.  Please pray protection for her as we try and prepare her the best we can.  She has been the only one for a long time.  

4.  Pray for Jason and I.  Pray that God will continue to prepare our hearts to serve our children.  Pray that we will be prepared for the grief that Micah will feel.  Pray that we will help him to find the comfort that he needs in the coming months and years.  Pray for us as we reassure Lily that she is still our beloved daughter.   Pray that her little heart can comprehend that there is enough love for all.

5.  Finally, pray that God will continue to provide every resource needed.  He is so faithful.

Thank you.  Thank you for reading and thank you for praying.  

Joshua 1:9