Today is an exciting day for us. This afternoon we will attend an adoption seminar – our first step in the process of adoption. We are excited at what God will do in the process and overjoyed at what He has already done.
Adoption is always something we have considered, even before we were married. We both had a heart for orphans and had talked about the possibility of bringing a child into our home. When we faced the struggle of infertility and unsuccessful medical procedures, we felt God leading us to pursue adoption now. The world of adoption of has been loving and open. Families have shared their stories and their hearts to proclaim how God brought them together. Friends and co-workers have come forward to offer advice, support and prayers. It was a sweet way of God showing us that we weren’t alone during this time.
Adoption has also been challenging. It took some time and some wrong turns to find an agency that had the program we were looking for. Then came paperwork and waiting to hear if we were selected by the agency. After three weeks of waiting, we found out they couldn’t accept us at this time. The agency had too many applications and too many families on the list. It was an emotionally crushing time. We spent lots of time in prayer, crying out to God and asking why He would lead us down the road of adoption only to have the door close on us. We didn’t know the next step to take so we just prayed.
Then two days later, we received an e-mail, asking us to call the agency. Even though they were full, they went back through the list of applicants and selected one couple – us. The lady we spoke with said that in all the years she has worked there, the agency has never done this before. We were (and still are) overwhelmed that this happened to us. There are new tears now –tears of joy and thanksgiving.
So we move forward, knowing there will be more and maybe even bigger challenges to come. But we rest in the peace that God’s got this. He’s in control and He has plan that will surpass all our expectations. We wait, knowing that one day there is more joy to come.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
