Ten Months Waiting for a Referral

Has it already been another month?! Poo. Yet another week slides by on our calendar. Ten months sounds so long, so I am going to focus more on our new countdown. We've been at #1 for 2 1/2 weeks (or at least that is how long we've known). So, we will continue to pray that next week brings good news! Please continue to pray with us. We need it!

Celebrating with Color

Well, I was so hoping to have good news, making Easter even easier to celebrate! Each time a holiday arrives, I am hopeful. Back around Thanksgiving, I thought it would just be perfect to get a referral. What sweet news for which to be thankful! Then, Christmas crept up. Again, I believed this must be God's perfect time. But, it passed. Presidents Day, Valentines Day, Groundhog Day, St. Patrick's Day, and now Easter will all pass without a referral. These are a lot of holidays! But, especially as Easter arrives, I'm learning that I need to be willing to celebrate what God has done despite my disappointments/circumstances. Yes, it would have been sweet to celebrate our little boy this Sunday; however, my heart will be more free to completely celebrate Jesus and His saving grace. And, I am so thankful for what Jesus has done for me. So, this weekend, we will all celebrate! I wish all of you many blessings as you celebrate what Jesus did for you.
On another sweet note. . . Here is Raegan posing by some of the hyacinths that are blooming. She and I planted them last fall. It has been so sweet to watch them grow this spring and provide our somewhat barren landscaping with some color!

We Have a Number!

We join the ranks of those who know where they stand in this waiting process. After my pleading for some information, our case worker took pity on me and revealed that we are next in line for an infant boy! What?! Next? As in #1 on the list? Yes! We are.
We were at a place where we needed some encouragement. This does it! The next little boy who becomes available will be ours. She said there are little boys in the orphanages. She just can't tell which will get all of his paperwork first. (Serious thought--wow! There is a little boy right now in the orphanage waiting for us.) Oh, I can't wait. I feel like I finally have permission to really be anticipating THE CALL. I hope it is our next post; however, our case worker reminded me that she may call tomorrow or in a month. So, we will see!

Nine Months and Counting

Today marks nine months of waiting for a referral. Wow. I never thought we would reach this milestone, mostly because I never thought this milestone would exist, but here we are! Thankfully, today, I feel like I am in a place of peace and trusting God. This is good. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but today I will continue to trust as we wait.

Keep praying for us. Honestly, each day brings with it a new set of emotions for all of us. Trusting is a full-time job at this point. It seems like we are often fighting off weariness. We will let you know asap when we hear some good news.

More Waiting

Well, the announcement didn't happen today. Thanks to all who joined us praying. You can keep it up! Please do, in fact. Our agency is going to the Oromia office in Addis on Monday to inquire. I pray that the meeting proves beneficial.

Again, we are assured that this is all happening in God's timing, and we are thankful to be in this process, even if there are delays.

Keep lifting us/this process in prayer. Thanks!!!

The Long Way Around

I've been reading Francine Rivers' novella on Aaron (Moses's brother) this week, and I just have to say that I love reading stories that challenge my faith in our Almighty God.

So, I'm reading about when the Israelites just leave Egypt. God has just shown Himself powerful by letting the largest army in the world allow Israel to leave. Amazing. But, the Israelites soon start grumbling because they are taking the long way around to Canaan instead of the short route. They keep questioning why they are going this way and doubting God's ability to lead them. To make matters worse, they eventually find themselves backed up against the Red Sea with the Egyptian army bearing down on them. At this point, they were truly doubting.

O.K. At this point, I am somewhat relating to the Israelites. I have often wondered why God has brought us the "long way around" to a referral. (Side Note: I do feel "silly" complaining because so many of my friends have waited so much longer in their adoption processes, but it is still a struggle.)

Back to the rest of the story. God took the Israelites the long way around, to a place that seemed to be a dead end, in order to reveal His Glory. This group of grumbling Israelites got to be a part of one of the greatest displays of God's power and glory in history! What a privilege! But, they had to go the long way around first.

So, as we continue to wait, I can't help but be excited. I feel like God is getting ready to give us a glimpse of His power and glory. I am thankful he is taking us the long way around because it will allow us to better witness one of the greatest displays of His hand in our family. Ooooh, my heart beats with anticipation. :)

This Just Isn't Fair. . . or Is It?

Lately, I have to confess that I've been feeling like this just isn't fair. I don't know anyone in my little Ethiopia adoption circle who has had to wait this long for a little boy. As I look around, my heart keeps telling me, "This isn't fair".

In group yesterday, we were talking about parenting. One of my dear friends mentioned that her husband tells their kids when they say this very thing that "fair is what is best for you". Hmmm. Really?

So, as I woke up this morning, I thought about this some more. Is waiting 8+ months really the best for me, for our family? It must be because God is allowing it. This wait IS fair because it is going to bring us to our little boy and it is preparing us for something to come by exercising our waiting muscles.

This morning, as I ran on the treadmill and was sweating like crazy, I was amazed to find myself filled with strength and "shivers" as I thanked God for our 8+ month wait. He truly met me and reassured me that this IS fair and it is good.

Eight Months & a Snow Day!

It is officially 8 months! Yes. We have been waiting for a referral for 8 months. I never thought we would last to this point, but we have! I feel like I should proclaim something truly profound and original at this point. All I can say is that we don't really understand why we have had to wait so long, but we also know that God is in control and has continued to encourage us along the way. He promises He loves us, so we trust in His perfect timing. (Actually, we truly did hope today was the day. Again, we were all home, so it would have been perfect in our eyes.)

Here are a few shots of our fun snow day!

Farm Boots

Sledding in our back yard with the neighbors

We are Officially Ready!

Last night, I realized why we haven't received our referral! For Christmas, we got a Flip camera to be able to record and easily upload to our computer all of the events connected with this adoption. We found a great deal online, but it hadn't arrived yet. Until today. Today, it came. Therefore, we are officially ready for that referral! We will be able to adequately record any and all reactions to that magical call! Call us, Patricia! Call us! :)


Here are the kids with the first video message!

Six Months and Counting

This week marked six months of waiting for a referral. One thing I have found that helps me in the wait is to be intentionally thankful. This week, I journaled about six specific things for which I am thankful.

1. I am thankful for my husband and three kids. I have been blessed, and I want to enjoy celebrating with them during this Christmas season.

2. I am thankful for our jobs. I have been able to keep teaching for Tabor Wichita, both online and traditional, and Chris continues to teach 8th grade social studies. While schools are experiencing some uncertain times, so far we have not been directly affected.

3. I am thankful for our community of support that is all around us. We have been continually blessed in so many ways by so many people.

4. I am so thankful that God has called us to adopt a baby boy from Ethiopia. I never could have guessed we would be in this process, but I am grateful.

5. I am grateful for what I have learned as we have walked this adoption road. (To expand on this might have to be another post!)

6. I am grateful that Jesus loved us all so much that He came to Earth to save us. Even as we wait to hear of our new son, I am grateful to also wait to celebrate our Savior's birth. And, I am learning to be thankful in the wait. Truly, if this is where God has called us, it is where I want to be.