A child worth waiting for

Many of our friends have recently asked us “so, how is the adoption going?”  And while this question evokes many different emotions including gratitude, frustration, excitement, and fear, I try to continually remind myself of what a virtue patience really is.  We were logged into China on 8/13/14.  This is technically our start date, even though we started this process about 1 year ago. We have only been waiting 2 months, but I find myself every day hoping and thinking about seeing the blue line (see our previous blog post- matching night is like taking a pregnancy test).  I can’t help but think of my friends and family members who have or are going through infertility.  Let me prefaces this by saying I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like and I am in no way trying to minimize the seriousness of infertility!  John and I have never had to wait very long for a blue line.  It has always come freely and quickly.  Waiting sucks!  It is hard and I must say it makes me sin.  This once prayed for thing can quickly become an idol.  Our old pastor in Raleigh-Durham used to say, when “a good thing becomes a god thing (making it your god), it becomes a bad thing.” Because lets be honest all you think about is that thing.  While I try to wait patiently to see our precious child’s face, I grow weary, become distracted and take my focus away from why God called us to this in the first place.

 I am reminded in Isaiah 40:28-31

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases powers.... Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. 

I was talking to friend the other night on the phone.  She and her husband struggled with infertility for years and now have a precious child.  But what struck with me was when she said “Laura, if we had gotten pregnant any sooner, we would never have THIS child”.  She is right God’s timing is perfect and though sometimes painful His plan for that ONE specific child for you is so much sweeter than you can imagine.  I also think about another friend who has had 5 failed adoptions and now has the most perfect adopted newborn baby boy at home.  I think about if one of the other previous adoptions had gone through than she wouldn’t have this baby. 

So we will press on!  We know God has clearly told us that we will be a mother and father to an orphan so we will continue to trust His plan and trust His timing.   And I will continue to keep my eyes on Jesus because my patience is already growing weary.

5 years together

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October 3^rd. It’s been 5 years since this!

It is hard to believe that since then we: walked down the aisle, completed graduate school, rescued the “perfect” dog, had 2 children, lived in 3 states with 4 different homes, switched jobs a few times, bought a van, turned 30, lost some of our loved ones and had others born into our extended family, and all along keeping our eyes ahead on God’s greater plan.  Oh and let’s not forget our current adoption. It does seem to fly by and as much as I hate when people say “oh hunny, treasure these moments” (in an old grandma voice), the old grandma voice is definitely right.  These first 5 years have gone by so fast that we have trouble even remembering life BC (Before Children). 

Now… John has talked about our 5th year anniversary for, oh about the past 5 years, hoping we would go on an elaborate vacation for 2 weeks. In his opinion, we should celebrate life’s milestones to the fullest.  Little did he know back then that we would be in the middle of an adoption from China in our 5^th year and on a very tight budget!  But we did have a little fun this year by deciding to go on an airboat ride last week when John had Friday off.  We have talked about taking a ride on one of the swamps since moving to Florida and this was the perfect excuse. And very affordable!

 After looking around for a week, we got a great recommendation from Leah Merritt about a guy (Ray’s Airboat Rides) in Titusville. It was amazing and he was the perfect guide for just the two of us. In fact, we are making sure my parents go out with him next time they are in town. Capitan Ray knew all about the area of the Banana River we were on, and even had the scars to show for the years he spent “catching” alligators here when he was a kid.  

This past Friday night on our actual anniversary, October 3, we took the family to eat pizza and listen to some live music in town.  The music is FREE every Friday night at an outdoor mall and the kids LOVE it.  For some reason we decided not to get a sitter this year and we were so glad we didn’t.  These two have made celebrating our 5 years together so much sweeter.  I am glad we were all together for it. The skies opened up just as we were leaving, and we all ran to the car! Perfect.

It is hard to imagine what the next 5 years will look like.  We hope to be at least a family of 5….or maybe more! After all, children are a blessing!

Laura