Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Nearly 10 Months Waiting

The email today was not what I'd hoped when I saw the subject line. The "update" was not an announcement that the roadblock holding back our adoption and many others was cleared, but rather an update that there was no new news.

This weekend will mark 10 months waiting for her. That number is about double what we were expecting going into the adoption wait, since we were willing to adopt a child a bit older than an infant.

It's basketball season for my oldest and I remember back to this season last year and thinking that the next year I'd be entertaining three younger siblings on the sidelines, imagining she'd be home by now. The missing someone who's never been here is so hard to describe.

My children make a worm family out of this playdough molding type stuff we have. "It is our family", they tell me, "here's the biggest one, he's the daddy, and this is you, the mommy." As, they point out their 3 worm-selves, I'm counting in my head. One, two, three, four, five, six worms? Before I can say anything they point to one of the small worms and deem it the, "Baby Sister".


Their faith amazes me! We've talked about the "Baby Sister" for so long, but she has not come. We don't even have a picture of her to cling to. I can't believe they still see our family as a family of six, that "Baby Sister" worm just as tangibly there as the other five worms.

And I must admit that their faith is bigger than mine.

Because some days, especially lately, I find myself wondering if it will ever even happen at all.

But isn't that what faith is?

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Heb. 11:1

This much I'm sure of, without a doubt:

God is good.

He is in control.

He has a plan.

His plans are always better than ours.

And for our family, and so many others waiting, I really do believe God gave us a heart for adoption, led us to this very path for a reason and He is going to use it to bring Him glory.

I don't know how this is all going to play out for any of us, but I'm believing God that His glory will be the end result.

And, I would even be willing to bet that God is going to use this season of waiting, the raw anguish of it, to lead to unimaginable joy.

Because that's what He does. He's all about amazing transformations. Beauty from ashes, Paul from Saul, wine from water, resurrected Lord from a body sealed in a tomb, beloved child of God from undeserving sinner.

Lord, I have no idea what our family will look like 10 more months from now, and can't even begin to fathom 10 years out, but that's okay because I don't need to know. I know that we are Yours and that is enough.


Find more Thankful Thursday here.

7 comments:

  1. Keep the faith sweety, bless you.

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  2. I just love how your kids have already accepted the new sister they haven't met yet. Beautiful TT post, thank you for sharing it. It will be praying that God brings your new daughter home soon.
    Jessica
    http://www.bygracealone.net/2011/02/thankful-thursday-precious-moments.html

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  3. What an encouraging post to those of us waiting alongside you. I very much needed this reminder today as I continue to wait on the USCIS! God IS in control.

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  4. Love this post... and our kids must be a lot alike - my post this week was about my son including our "baby in Africa" in his family picture from school!
    I'm with you - that email update wasn't what I was hoping for. But God will use this for His good - thanks for reminding me of that! :)

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  5. How sweet that your kids included the long awaited for baby sister. It does seem long I am sure, but your soo right in that God's timing is perfect. And when you finally hold her in your arms, how much joy your heart will hold. HUGS

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  6. I second everything that you said for you said it so brilliantly. Our little one's faith is so much more confident than mine at most times too. My son already has a small collection of blankets and toys that he has ready for his baby twins - he knows that they will be here soon while I pray for them to be here with internal doubt. God is working and He will bestow His blessings in His timing and when this moment comes for each of us it will all make perfect sense...
    Blessings,
    j
    www.beneaththeacaciatree.com

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  7. Just came across your blog and I will be praying for you. We are with a different agency, but we waited 18 mos for a referral of a toddler girl. Hoping your journey continues and maybe speeds up a little.

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