Kings & Queens

I use to be an avid reader.  These days it seems all I read are facebook statuses and lots of blogs.  But most recently I actually finished a book that has been on my sidetable for at least a year.  I read MaryBeth Chapman's "Choosing to SEE".  I do recommend it, but be ready for laughter and tears.  She wrote some funny stuff and then some gut wrenching "Why God?" stuff.  I believe the overall theme is "Trust God" especially when your plans are not going exactly as you planned.  Appropriate for us, huh?

Then I started Kisses from Katie.  Ugh!  I only have read 3 chapters and boy I can't believe a 22 year old single college girl can convict me so much.  But the night that I read quite a bit I was out of town and could NOT sleep.  For the first time, I had a different longing for my girl.  It was a "Please, she needs to be home now" kind of a feeling, more than our normal, "Please, I want her home now." 

We are getting closer.  I know it.  I know that God is fighting for us and her.  And Ethiopia.  And ALL His people all over the world.  I fear that at times my friends our sick of me and our continual, not-ending-anytime-soon story.  I do believe we are more than this adoption....But sometimes as I shared recently it is SO hard to not just be about the adoption.  All the time.  After 19 months waiting and a 6 month paper chase, it is like I have almost been "pregnant" 3 times as long.  When you are in your final semester and you feel huge and can't eat very much and can't sleep well, it is hard to forget you are pregnant and it is hard not to think about it.  So it is for us as well and yet at this point, my due date has changed drastically---actually I really don't have a due date yet. Anyways, every song on the radio, every sermon my pastor preaches, every blog and book I read now just points to our journey in a blaring way. 

And yet I am continuing to learn.  I'm not sure I can articulate all that God is teaching me.  I know I am memorizing more of His word (although that may be due to Eden's Bible Bowl as well).  I know I am learning what faith means and trust.  And spiritual warfare.  And the all encompassing love the Father has for me. 

                   "How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us, that we should
                         be called children of God.  And that is what we are!"  1 John 3:1

Disclaimer:  I sat on this for 24 hours letting it settle and planning on publishing this post on our 19 month waitiversary (tomorrow).  And then God had me chewing on something for a bit today.  IT IS ALL ABOUT ADOPTION.  Not our particular adoption, or all of our friends adoptions, but THE adoption we all recieve into Christ's family.

              ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 
Ephesians 1: 3-10

  It has been about adoption since the beginning of time.  He loved us that much he knew he wanted to adopt each and every one of us.  He came down and loved "the least of these" which was me--- and dear friend which was you so that we could become Kings & Queens.  So with that in mind, I am sure you have heard the song.....but if you have not watched the video PLEASE do so HERE. 



7 Month Waitaversary!

7 Months since being on our wait list.  We sit at #41.  No referrals in the last 2 months.  Actually minus one wonderful month (ok--5 1/2 weeks) from Oct. 31st-Dec 8th there have been no referrals while we have been on the wait list.  So all that to say we may have a long line ahead of us......

Well here is the deal....I have just copied and pasted 3 paragraphs from another friend's post.  Why reinvent the wheel?  :)

"When we signed on last January things were moving smoothly and relatively quickly with adoptions in Ethiopia. In the past year things have changed in nearly every part of the process. Things are not moving smoothly or quickly at this point and we are uncertain what the future holds (aren't we alway though?) There are MANY children and babies in Ethiopia who need loving homes. I believe there are many people at work both here in the United States and there in Ethiopia who want to see that happen and happen the right way. But being in the middle of the process while changes are made and bugs attempted to be worked out just isn't pleasant.

We know God was in our decision to choose this country and even this agency. So, we will wait... and trust.

I am thankful for the reminder that our trust is not in a timeframe, an agency, a process, a government, or even our own plans. Our trust can only reside in God, who is both loving and all-powerful to work His purposes."

Amen!  Thanks Stephanie.  The truth of the matter was that when we started in January we were seeing 6-7 month waits....meaning I could have/should have already had "the call" by now, especially for a toddler.    But coulda's, shoulda's, and woulda's don't work in here in adoption land.  My dear friend who got her referral in November waited 10 months and "shoulda" had a court date by now....here she sits waiting another 3 months before even getting to meet her little guy (and at least 3 other adoptive moms). 

I think I am doing pretty good with the wait.  People from church continue to ask how things are going and my response is "slowly".  But ask me in 3 more months and it might be a different story.  There are some sweet families that have been waiting (in Ethiopia program) for 15-16 months for a single girl.  I actually appreciate the questions, because that means they haven't forgotten this journey we are in.....Lord knows there is not a day (or hour?) that goes by that we don't think about it.

Even this morning, Eden ran in to ask Tobe, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"  His reply?  "Chloe's coming home?"  Awww.  Eden chuckled and then said, "No it's your birthday!" He was thinking of her coming home over his own 4 year old birthday.  Man do I love my kids.  I sure do hope she comes home while he is 4.  It may just break his 4 year old heart. 

Stay tuned....because tonight a winner to the coffee quilt raffle will be drawn!