This was the last day at work for me. I thought I would feel like a free bird but I am a little sad to say good-bye to one of the best places and best people that I have worked with and for. And I must confess I'm a little anxious about all the stuff that we have to do over the next few weeks and how things will unfold. So, I remind me myself where to put my hope. Jesus.
This is the first week that we have not met with our b-mom and b-dad, as we both had a lot of busy-ness this week. As far as I know, we are still moving forward as planned. Next week, she starts a birth class for the next four weeks. Some classes I or we may attend - depending on her comfort level. We really enjoy the time we get with them, so I'm a little sad we didn't get to be with them this week. They are very easy to be with.
My friend, Amy, is planning a 'baby warming' party to help us collect some essentials - cloth diapers/accessories, bottles, blankets, etc. All the stuff we'll need the first 3 months. A few people have asked about a shower and I think that we would prefer to do it after the 10 day waiting period is over. Keep your calendar open for July 17th, in the evening and come with a sweet tooth.
Fundraising efforts have been AMAZING! All we really need is $3,000 and that will be due at the placement ceremony, which happens a few days after our 10 day waiting period. The placement ceremonay is at Bethany and is just another party for you to come and celebrate with us. Lord willing!!
Thank you for your prayers!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14, 2010
This is my last week of work. The next few weeks will be spent preparing our house for a wee one. I can't imagine how upside down our lives are about to get . . . We have spent the last few years together functioning as a couple - two people. And we are far from mastering the art of that. . .
But that's the adventure in life - the journey that the Lord has us on. One great big experiment after another. And we can have fun with it and make the most of it or not. . . which is usually what kills me the most. I find that I can let worry consume me like a monster. And I have really had to lean on the Lord for my strength in this journey. I saved an e-mail that I sent to my sister-in-law that, after reading, I wanted to share with the few people who follow this little blog.
"there are no guarantees in life. we both know that. no promises of easy. although our society likes to think that if you just take this pill or press that button - it'll make things all better. adoption has really been one of those things that has taught me and reminded me over and over again that this next step is not going to be anything what you expect. I am grateful for this experience. It continues to put me in a position to trust Christ and to let go of self-reliance. Again, not anything that I will master here on earth. It is also teaching me that I can't let my emotions run (or rather ruin) me - that I have to let the Spirit work because ultimately the Lord is in control - which brings me back to trusting in Him. And it's not always easy to be obedient to something you can not see or have words to describe. So, I feel like I am being worked and strengthened in my faith through these challenges - learning who and what to run to when things get tough (Jesus, prayer, the Word . . ). Sometimes it's not about praying to change our circumstances, as it is to change our hearts or our attitudes in the circumstances. He can't grow us and conform us to His image if we are always comfortable. I know that I will need a deep abiding faith in my Heavenly Father, an unswerving trust in Jesus, an unrelenting, repenting heart that only comes from the Spirit in order to be the imperfect parent and wife that I want to be.
Yes, we know that we have the option for interim care. We know that the only thing to compare to having her taken away from us in those 10 days would be death. But there a lot of things that go into this equation - including promptings from the Spirit that are leading us down this road. We know better than to ask for an easy way out of this. Only for His will to be done and for wisdom to trust in Him. I think it would be worse to miss out on the few hours or days that we would get with her. I mean, we are going to be at the hospital, taking care of her. We want to bring her home. We want her to know us from day 1 - no matter what happens. I know that if b-mom and b-dad decide to parent, they'll be heartbroken to take her away from us. It's just difficult all around for everyone involved. Someone is going to grieve somewhere along the way. Nothing is wasted - the Lord uses everything for His glory and our growth."
So, I thank Bindi for asking the questions that prompted me to think about those things. And I am grateful for our mentors who guide us and point us back to the Peace and Truth that is in Jesus Christ. Although, I do have moments where I can fall into a pity party and lose focus of the Cross, He picks me back up and we keep moving forward on this journey together.
But that's the adventure in life - the journey that the Lord has us on. One great big experiment after another. And we can have fun with it and make the most of it or not. . . which is usually what kills me the most. I find that I can let worry consume me like a monster. And I have really had to lean on the Lord for my strength in this journey. I saved an e-mail that I sent to my sister-in-law that, after reading, I wanted to share with the few people who follow this little blog.
"there are no guarantees in life. we both know that. no promises of easy. although our society likes to think that if you just take this pill or press that button - it'll make things all better. adoption has really been one of those things that has taught me and reminded me over and over again that this next step is not going to be anything what you expect. I am grateful for this experience. It continues to put me in a position to trust Christ and to let go of self-reliance. Again, not anything that I will master here on earth. It is also teaching me that I can't let my emotions run (or rather ruin) me - that I have to let the Spirit work because ultimately the Lord is in control - which brings me back to trusting in Him. And it's not always easy to be obedient to something you can not see or have words to describe. So, I feel like I am being worked and strengthened in my faith through these challenges - learning who and what to run to when things get tough (Jesus, prayer, the Word . . ). Sometimes it's not about praying to change our circumstances, as it is to change our hearts or our attitudes in the circumstances. He can't grow us and conform us to His image if we are always comfortable. I know that I will need a deep abiding faith in my Heavenly Father, an unswerving trust in Jesus, an unrelenting, repenting heart that only comes from the Spirit in order to be the imperfect parent and wife that I want to be.
Yes, we know that we have the option for interim care. We know that the only thing to compare to having her taken away from us in those 10 days would be death. But there a lot of things that go into this equation - including promptings from the Spirit that are leading us down this road. We know better than to ask for an easy way out of this. Only for His will to be done and for wisdom to trust in Him. I think it would be worse to miss out on the few hours or days that we would get with her. I mean, we are going to be at the hospital, taking care of her. We want to bring her home. We want her to know us from day 1 - no matter what happens. I know that if b-mom and b-dad decide to parent, they'll be heartbroken to take her away from us. It's just difficult all around for everyone involved. Someone is going to grieve somewhere along the way. Nothing is wasted - the Lord uses everything for His glory and our growth."
So, I thank Bindi for asking the questions that prompted me to think about those things. And I am grateful for our mentors who guide us and point us back to the Peace and Truth that is in Jesus Christ. Although, I do have moments where I can fall into a pity party and lose focus of the Cross, He picks me back up and we keep moving forward on this journey together.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
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