Our Christmas Blessing

I love the Christmas season because of the extra intentional time to focus on Christ’s birth and the amazing gift God gave to us through Christ. I am humbled and in awe at the fact that God the Father loved His son and us so much that He made the parental sacrifice of allowing Mary and Joseph the opportunity to parent Jesus. Through that sacrifice, the later sacrifice of the cross emerged to grant us all the opportunity to be parented by God if we choose to be a part of His forever family. This truth means more to me this Christmas than it ever has in my entire life. My husband and I received a life-changing call on Dec. 18th letting us know that a mom and dad love their son so much that they made the parental sacrifice of allowing my husband and me the opportunity to parent their son! We will meet our son today and take him home and be his forever family! Adoption – it’s the Gospel! I’m so thankful God has allowed me to be a part of His amazing plan. The wait – worth it!

Covenant Care's 21st Adoption Placement 2012 - 12/6/2012

One Year Down

Sunday, October 14th, marked one year of our adoption portfolio submission. That means that we have officially been in a year-long period of just waiting (in regards to our domestic adoption journey). Our waiting period has consisted of raising financial support, praying, decorating a room, going through a refining fire, and just waiting. It's crazy knowing that we are to go on with our everyday lives, yet in the back of our heads still wonder if today is the day when we will get our surprise placement call. Below are some reflections on our year of waiting.

What God has done:
- God had in His sovereign plan for us to host a Chinese exchange student. This probably would not have happened had we not been in the midst of an adoption waiting period. Our exchange student, Rachel, has been a true gift to our family. We have embraced her as our own daughter and she has embraced us as her American mom and dad. Rachel really is and will forever be part of our family. Back in September Eric's dad asked us when we would finally be able to adopt a child and Rachel chimed in with, "I'm right here!" Love it!!! Rachel is right in so many ways!
- God has used our waiting time for refining and pruning!
- God has provided.
- God has taught us.
- God has encouraged us.
- God has guided us.
- God has protected and guarded us.
- God has strengthened us.

Struggles:
- WAITING
- being misunderstood
- being questioned
- feeling alone in the journey
- wondering why it hasn't been us yet (even though we know deep down that God has a PERFECT plan and PERFECT timing)
- not knowing anything that's going on on the birth mom's side or on our portfolio viewing side

Blessings: 
- increased faith
- grace lessons
- exchange student "daughter" Rachel
- defined character
- opportunities to share Christ through our adoption journey
- encouragement from others
- allowing Rachel to learn about adoption firsthand
- being able to pray for our birth mom and future child

What a waiting year this has been! How much longer? (an extremely common question) There is no way to know. In the meantime, we will continue to trust God, pray, and stay focused on where he has us right now.

Covenant Care's 20th Placement of 2012 - 10/12/12 004

Covenant Care's 19th Adoption Placement of 2012 - 10/11/2012

Renovations Part 2

Getting a room set up for our Chinese daughter (exchange student for the school year) prompted us to not only paint her room, but also paint the baby room (which we had been wanting to do). Here are some pictures of the finished product.

Baby Room Before

 

Baby Room After

 

Our baby bedding ended up being discontinued, so I am thankful for my friend Hester who picked up the window valance and diaper stacker from a store far away from us. 

 

I've had painted wooden bees that I've been wanting to hang on the walls for a LONG time, so it was nice to finally hang them up!

 

Rachel's (exchange student) Room Before

 Rachel's Room After

 Some of Rachel's wall art that I made from rose pictures I took.

We had fun getting both rooms decorated this summer! The projects were certainly good for our waiting time.

Covenant Care's 18th Adoption Placement of 2012 - 10/2/12