And Even Closer

This week there were a few more referrals. We believe we are third in line for a boy from our agency. I can't tell you how amazing it is to be so close after so much waiting. It has been wonderful to see so much progress for so many families waiting with us these past few weeks! I hope we'll have some more news for all our anxious friends and family very soon. (Isn't it nice how I can make this sound like it is really all about you guys. Because of course, we are not anxiously waiting. haha.)

The Only Thing We Have to Fear. . .

Faith showed up in our bedroom around 3 a.m. this morning.

Faith: Can I get in your bed?
Me: No, Faith, it is not morning time yet.
Faith: But I see a little light shining outside.
Me: That is just moonlight. Go back to bed.
Faith: But I'm scared.
Me: What are you scared of?
Faith: I'm scared when you say "No."

Any thoughts?

I think I finally fixed this thing so that folks can comment without complication. Hope this helps some of you (mom) who have expressed frustration in the past. We really would love to hear from you here!

The people I asked for prayer for a few days ago, the Kulp and Semlow families, have experienced another setback on their adoption journey today. My hearts aches for them. Please pray that they will be sustained as they endure an even longer wait to be united with their kids.

And I couldn't help but think of our adoption journey and the community of families struggling (yes, struggling!) in this way to bring home these children when Obama said this today:

"With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

After all, it is truly an audacious hope that guides us forward.

Overwhelmed with Gratitude

"The fact that we are continually struggling in our human relationships is not surprising considering what complicated messes we humans can be. But what is surprising and most amazing is that there are in fact those instances when we find ourselves fellowshipping with other human beings in a most "real", "safe" and loving way. Experiencing the blessing of true fellowship "walking together in the light" with other children of God is perhaps the greatest gifts of God to us in this life."

I was reading this on Kerry Hasenbalg's blog the other day and thinking how beautiful the fellowship we've had with our Sunday School friends has been during these past few years and what a blessing they have been to our family. They have supported us with their prayers for so long and been right there with us on our adoption journey. And then today they had to go ahead and completely overwhelm us with their kindness and generosity. We are drowning in love for you and appreciation for all that has been given to us. It is very, very humbling. Our friends presented us with the sweet, sweet video you will see if you scroll down a bit (be sure to scroll all the way down and pause the music player at the bottom before playing the video.) And a VERY GENEROUS contribution to our adoption fund. It made my heart ache in a good way - just too much for it to process I think. We are still reeling a bit. We were totally surprised.

This past week was marked by one of the great joys of this journey - getting closer to seeing our son and watching other families receiving information about their children through our online group of folks adopting through our agency. But it has also been marked by the sorrow of seeing families facing some of the more difficult aspects of this journey as well. Feeling so helpless and so far away from those children and holding such heavy burdens. I started thinking, "I don't know how we're going to do this." This next part of waiting, when we will know our child and yet not be able to hold him or do anything to control the process. It will be a spiritual battle. I consoled myself with the fact that I know God will be there with us, and we get grace when we need it and not before. But I was feeling weak.

And then today, having the strong encouragement of our friends felt absolutely heavensent. The light made clear by this fellowship. Thanks to all of you, our friends. Those who were there today and contributed so mightily and those of you who support us in your prayers and your encouragement always. We can't wait until you meet the boy and the girl you've been praying for and waiting for with us for so long. I am so grateful that all of you are with us in this. It is so much bigger than us.

Thank YOU, Sweet Friends

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Please Pray

For the Kulp and Semlow families. They are adopting through our agency and facing some tremendous obstacles. We are praying for a miracle for them. Please visit the Kulp's blog for more details on the situation.

"Wow!" seems inadequate. . .

But it is all I can say - WOW!

Faith was right. It really is still Christmas. There have been several more referrals for children through our agency, and we have moved even closer to our boy. It feels like a dream.

Faith, Future Trial Attorney

I can't remember how this conversation began, but on the way home this evening Faith started asking me about what happened to all the Christmas decorations. I told her that we had taken ours down because Christmastime was finished. She asked after about ten of our friends and family as follows:

Faith: Did Nona take her Christmas lights down?
Me: Yes
Faith: Did Jamie and Arie take their Christmas lights down?
Me: Yes, because it isn't Christmas anymore.

And then this:

Faith: (pointing out the window) But I see Christmas lights right there?!
Me: Well, yes, I saw those, too, and there is one house in our neighborhood that still has Christmas lights.

Faith (in triumph): Then it IS STILL Christmas!

This is related to her asking me earlier today if this was the last Christmas or if we would have Christmas next year.

Even Closer!

A few days ago I wrote about Faith's optimism in waiting and how it should teach me something. Well, our hopes have been met within the last few days as several families adopting through our agency have received referrals! We are very, very excited. They have begun matching families who sent their paperwork to Ethiopia in early April. Our dossier took the trip on April 28th, so now we really are even closer! I have tried very hard to remain even-tempered about everything and to appreciate the fact that this part of the wait will probably seem easy compared to the next part, when we already know who are son is and are just waiting to go get him, but I don't know how to keep calm, cool, and collected over this.

I've definitely got to get moving on preparing a new bedroom for Faith and a new nursery for her baby brother!

Stranger Danger

Yesterday when we were out eating lunch, Faith was playing nice with everyone within eyesight--waving and smiling at several other folks who were eating nearby. I decided that all this friendliest comes with some risks and it was time to have a discussion. I leaned in close to her and said, "Faith, what if that man over there said, 'Hey, little girl, will you please come with me and help me find my lost puppy?' What would you say?"

She frowned and said, "No?"

"That's right," I said, "Strangers are people who we don't know, and you should never go anywhere with anyone we don't know without Mama and Daddy."

"And, Mama, if that man over there said 'Little girl, will you wear my coat?' I would say 'No!' and run away."

I guess that means she understood.

Pondering the Pink Pig

When Faith and I were visiting my sister and her family during the week before Christmas, we were able to go to the Pink Pig. The Pink Pig is an Atlanta Christmas tradition. It began in 1953 as a monorail ride that circled above(!) the Rich's toy department and later it was taken outside so that kids could ride around the big Christmas tree on Rich's roof(!). After being retired for years, it was refurbished by the Junior League and became a more sedate train ride under a tent in the Macy's parking lot at Lenox Mall. The pig-like train winds around a storybook set while a pig character with a broad southern accent narrates a tale that is entirely beside the point. It is fun, fun, fun for kids of all ages. The only problem is that while the ride itself lasts about 3 minutes, the line for the ride lasts somewhere around 90 during peak travel time, which is certainly when we found ourselves there.

After waiting in line for tickets, you wait in line for the line for the ride itself. I did not mistype that. There is a big line outside the tent, and a small line inside the tent where the ride is located. Because they move only about 30 folks into the tent at once then wait until that line empties to call in the next group, the big line moves very slowly.

Faith loved every minute of it. While we were in line, she made friends and played with other kids and the toys their thoughtful parents brought for them to play with. (I had brought nothing.) It was so funny to see her join this group and then that, laughing and talking to whoever was willing. Finally we were near the front of the line. They called the last big group before us up to enter the tent, and as the attendant set the rope behind that group several people at the very front groaned in disappointment since they were going to have to wait at least twenty more minutes to get to the ride itself.

At the same time, Faith yelled out "Yaay! We're even closer!"

I'm trying to keep Faith's pink pig perspective as we enter 2009 and begin our ninth month of waiting to be matched with a son. I'm officially resolving to make the most of our time waiting and celebrate the fact that every day we are even closer!

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had as merry a Christmastime as we have had, and, in fact, are still having since we are keeping the house decorated and the carols playing until January 6. This year we decided there was just too much busy-ness in the days leading up to Christmas to stop celebrating after just one day. The twelve days of Christmas tradition is making a lot of sense to me now, so we intend to carry on with all the cheer (and, who am I kidding, all the eating) for a while longer. Our Christmas pictures will be up on dropshots as soon as I can get them there. Click here and enter the name of our little town for access.