Todd's Protest

Since mid-February, Todd began his protest.  He's protesting by not shaving his beard until we get our daughter's referral!  You may have noticed him sporting his new look and thought it was for hunting or extra warmth this past winter.  Not the case!  He's on a mission and will not shave until he see's his new little girl's picture!     

I can't wait to get our referral!  I am, however, going to miss that beard!  He looks great with it!!

Being thankful in all things...

You know how it is when you read or hear something that's "just what you need, just when you need it"?  Well, today was again one of those days.  I was reminded while doing my morning devotions of God's faithfulness and perfect timing in all things.  Today's devotions began "Thank Me (Jesus) for the very things that are troubling you."   Seriously, be thankful!?  I know things in life can be difficult, but to be thankful for them?  I then thought of James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds"...again
I am humbled.
Adoption is God's unique plan for creating families.  Some days while waiting for this to happen, I feel like the trials are hitting me hard!  Why, oh why, does it have to take so long?  We've been more than ready for several months now to add another chair to our table.  Why doesn't it seem to be happening for us?  We are trying to be obedient to God's calling.
Maybe He's still working on me in ways I'm not even aware of yet.  Preparing me to accept a child that has already been through more than I've ever experienced.  To open my heart to a little person who I get the privilege of being a mother to.  Oh, how I long to know her, rub my fingers through those curls, kiss those cheeks and paint those little toe nails!
My prayer today is thanking God for the trial of waiting.  Waiting on His perfect timing for I know that nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible for God! 

Today marks 20 months of "wait time" in our adoption process.  Although we never dreamed the time to wait for our referral would be this long, we are still very committed to adding to our family through the gift of adoption!  Our daily excitement when talking about our little girl grows.  The wonder of who she is, what her story is, what her Ethiopian name is, how curly her hair is, are all questions we hope to have answers to one day real soon.  

Currently the wait time increased to 18-24 months for a child under 2.  So sitting at 20 months seems like a good place to be.  However, I can think of a much better place...having her home.