It's that time again...
Not too much to report on the adoption front other than the fact that there has been movement this month, which is always encouraging and exciting!! Here are our updated numbers:
Girl:
November - 59
December - 56
January - 53
Boy:
November - 47
December - 44
January - 44
February - 40
Siblings:
November - 22
December - 19
January - 18
February - 18
It's always interesting to try to predict which child(ren) God has chosen for us. Several months ago, we thought it very unlikely that we would be referred one baby girl due to the fact that we were so much higher on that list than the others, yet now, as we look at the recent movement, anything's a possibility!
We began this process about 1 year 5 months ago, and we've been on the waitlist for almost 1 year, now. While we remain confident that it is God's will for us to be on this journey, we still need to be graced with the patience, perseverance, encouragement, and comfort that only He can supply, so if you wouldn't mind, please keep us in your prayers.
Thus far, we've been on an amazing journey! And while it's proven difficult, we wouldn't trade it for the world! By God's grace, our entire family has been growing through this trying process.
As a mother, not knowing, but sensing, that our baby(ies) have already been born is hard to bear. Wondering what they're experiencing - whether they are being loved, touched, and cared for - whether their bellies are full or if they're crying out in hunger with no response. It's difficult knowing that during the first part of their lives, Travis and I are not the ones taking care of them - meeting their every need. These are our children! The love we have for them has already been written on our hearts! Still, the only comfort in these thoughts comes with faith in our Heavenly Father. Knowing that He is in control. That He loves them, even more than we do, and that He is providing for them and taking care of them!
Ethiopia is 11 hours ahead of where we are located. Recently, we explained to the girls that when we are going to sleep, our baby is waking up, and vise versa. Consequently, oftentimes we hear their sweet little voices saying, "good morning baby," as they are going to bed, and "nigh, night baby, sleep well," when they wake in the morning. It's a beautiful thing to see the love our girls already have for their new brother/sister!
So, yes, it is difficult on all of us, yet we are waiting in faith. The girls often ask, "Mommy, Daddy, when are we going to get our baby?" And to this we respond, "When God says it's time. And He knows best." I know this can be hard for our girls (as it is for Travis and I!), but I have seen amazing things as a result of this trial in their little lives. Compassion has blossomed in their little hearts over the last year and a half that may not have been there had we not listened to God's call for us to adopt. One such example of this is when our four year old sat and wept as she was watching a Christmas cartoon that happened to have orphans in it. As she sat in my arms and watched this clip over and over at her request, she asked me, "Mommy, the orphans have nothing - no Mommy, no Daddy, no toys... Is there anything we can do?" Yes, baby. There is... Compassion in a four year old.
Adoption is a beautiful thing!
This is what we've been up to in the last month...
Homeschool...
Lunch in the lodge after skiing...
My little bavarian girl wearing my dad's hat...
Our ballerinas...
Ella lost her first tooth!!!!! The whole family was excited!
Valentines day celebration with our homeschool Lions group...
Finally!!! A snow day!!!!! Not too much snow, but certainly enough for a little snowman...
We'll be back next month... Thank you again for your support and prayers!!
Many blessings!
