Lyrics & Waiting

Isn't it funny how words when put into a song can make you see the bigger picture better than someone telling you face to face? This "waiting" time we are in right now is starting to test my patience. We are waiting for a referral, waiting for a job opportunity, waiting for warmer weather, waiting for the sun, etc. It just seems like we are waiting and waiting but nothing is happening. Everyone keeps telling me (including myself) that everything will happen in God's timing, in his plan. In my heart I know that is true but for someone who pretty much needs to be in control at all times, waiting is the hardest part. Anyway, back to the lyrics, I just bought this cd by Richie McDonald "I Turn to You". There is a song on it that I listen to everyday since I bought it on my way to work and on my way home called "Hey God". I turn the stereo up loud (probably to loud) and sing at the top of my lungs with the song. The lyrics that really get me are:

"You have your ways, you have your plan
Sometimes mysterious and hard to understand
I am humbled by your grace and everything you do
Hey, God, hey God, I just wanna thank you

Sometimes I forget to stop and bow my head
And remember that I have been blessed

Oh, you have your ways, you have your plan
Sometimes mysterious and hard to understand
I am humbled by your grace and everything you do
Hey, God, hey, God, I just wanna thank you

Thank you"

Sometimes I think we get in our own way to the point where we can't see the joys and blessings God has already given us. We only see what we are waiting for and what we want to happen now. Our plan and God's plan most likely are not the same, or maybe they are and the timing is just off.

So I will go back to waiting patiently with a cheerful heart, thanking God for everything he has blessed me with and for his love and grace.

Video of Ethiopia

A family made this video montage of pictures from Ethiopia. They are already home with their cute little boy. I can't wait to go! Praying for more referrals! Enjoy!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=88cf010963f55dd4854cfb&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

What is a Referral?

We have been asked many times what is a referral? When we finally get the referral we will receive a picture, medical information and what background is available for the child. We then will make the decision to either accept or not take the referral. Once we accept a referral then we wait for a court day, but we will know the age and size and have pictures (that we will not be able to post until we pass court). Once we pass court we can post the pictures and information on our little boy. Right now the time from accepting a referral to going to court is about 2 months. Once we pass court we should travel 2 weeks after. Hopefully we pass on the first time, right now about 30% of people do not pass court the first time due to some paperwork issues.

Do Dreams Really Come True?

The anxiousness is starting! So far for April there have been 3 girls and 4 boys referred this week. We are around number 7ish for a boy (give or take a few mystery families not on the yahoo group). Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday we were saying we are around number 30ish. Even though the waiting is getting harder and I have officially become obsessed with checking the YG for referral posts and on deck emails, we are getting extremely excited. Everytime I log in my email and it tells me I have 1 new email, my heart almost stops and I think could this be our "On Deck" email. Everytime my phone vibrates or rings once again my heart skips a beat until I see that it is not AWAA calling. I can not even imagine what it will be like when we do receive the on deck email and we are at the top of the YG for a boy. I am going to have major OCD. I am ready to start packing and planning the shower and buying stuff! Oh the things we learn from waiting. I am getting major lessons in patience from God. (not one of my best talents at all) I will keep you posted I am sure everyone will hear me screaming when the time comes.

I can't imagine what it will be like to see that precious baby's face. I have seen him in my dreams the last few months. I can see the big brown eyes looking at me and that smiling face. I even dreamed him in the pajama's that we bought for him. Do you think he will look anything like my dream? Only God knows, he has the perfect child picked out just for us. Someone who needs a mom and dad that will love him to pieces. Like I have said before, how can you love someone so much already that you haven't even seen or don't even know. Is it just the love of a mother?

March Referrals

What a great month March was for referrals and court dates. There were around 21 referrals in March and a ton of families that passed court. The week of 3-25 5 families travelled to pick up their children, the week of 4-11 7 families (possibly more) will be travelling and so far the week of 4-23 4 families are travelling. One family that has had their referral and stuck in the court process for 6 months passed court today!!! Praise God, he can truly move the mountains. Keep praying with us that April will be just as good. From my count we are around number 11ish for a boy (could me a little more due to mystery families that we don't know about on YG (yahoo group)). We could potentially have a referral in the next couple of months, though I am trying not to set my expectations to high. But the Lord knows I am ready to see my baby boy's sweet face. I know God has the perfect child in mind for us, we just have to be patient and wait (I am so not very good at the waiting part).