I was reflecting earlier today on how many of my friends are either in China or Ethiopia or have just gone to China or Ethiopia to meet/pick up their children! I have also chatted with a couple friends who are in the process of or just completed their adoption from the foster system. I realized that I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people who have answered God's calling on their lives to adopt! What a hard calling, and what an amzing job you are all doing answering that call! I am so greatful that, with all of your families, at least one more child will get the privlage to experience the joys of knowing their "forever family". I just want to thank you all for the work you are doing for these precious children!
Adoption is hard!
The process of paperwork, and then more paperwork. Then the wait to find out who your child is. And then more paperwork. Then you finally get matched with your child, or see that precious face staring out at you from the pages of "waiting children", and you know... that's my child!! Then more paperwork after that! Then the heart wrenching, aganizing wait after you get matched with your child until you can go get them, then more paperwork! Then the amazing wonderful joy of "gotcha day" and of bringing those little people you've been praying for, and hoping for, and wondeirng about for all this time. What an amazing thing!!
But we can't forget, there is grief, and loss, and fear, and trauma, all mixed into those feelings of love and hope. And hard times of helping your children work through those doubts and fears. And lots and lots and lots of prayers that your children will attach and learn to love and catch up and be OK.
But be encouraged. God is with you! God is equiping you and he will walk you through this journey. He will NOT give you more than you can handle. Sometimes we just need a little help, so don't be afraid to ask.
So bless you adoptive Mommies and Daddies! Thank you for the work you do for your children. I will be praying for you just as I hope you are praying for me!
