Expecting...

I am an expecting mother, but probably not the type that typically comes to mind. I do not have a growing waistline, nor am I suffering from morning sickness, nor do I have a set due date, yet I am expecting!

Almost 2 years ago the Lord moved in our hearts, and a desire was born to pursue the adoption of a child from Ethiopia. We eagerly began the process, working on lots and lots of paperwork (which should result in some form of degree upon completion)! And all the while believing that no “I” dotted or “T” crossed was in vain. We were expecting!

After finishing our truck load of paper work the waiting began. I pridefully thought the waiting won’t be that difficult. I had heard other adoptive families talk about how challenging their season of waiting had been but sectretly thought not ours. I was fully anticipating a short wait. But “God humbles the proud”, and that He did. Instead of ending up at the short end of the estimated wait time to be matched with a child, we are currently on the flip-side. And all the while continually expecting!

A few weeks ago, instead of receiving the call we have been eagerly awaiting, we received a packet of expired paper-work in the mail. My heart sank; all I could think was “Has it really been that long?” and “Oh Lord, how much more?”. Along with our expired paper work was our soon to be expired immigration papers. These are very precious papers, as they are what permits us to bring home a male, 0-24 months of age, from Ethiopia. So… I know what your thinking, “just bear down and do the paperwork”, well it’s not always that easy when the Lord intervenes. For months I was having the occassional thought of adopting a sibling group, and everytime the thought came, I quickly reasoned with myself that we should continue the course as planned. After all things were set it in place, we were expecting one child!

My occassional thought of a sibling group became more and more frequent, meanwhile we found out our immigration paperwork was expiring (paperwork that can be changed when reapplying). So, I timidly approached Quintin and shared with Him that I believed God was asking us to pray about a sibling group. I, honestly, was terrified of the thought, but felt a very clear prodding from God to pray and to ask Quintin to pray with me. So we did. We prayed lots! We asked others to pray with us! As we set aside our fear and insecurity and desire for comfort/normalcy the answer came with such peace and an unanticipated abundance of joy - the answer was a loud "YES"! So with grateful hearts, and a huge sense of awe regarding the ways of the Lord, we are expecting, no longer one, but two, and that’s right, maybe three children - a sibling set!

What does this mean

* This means our updated immigration paperwork will soon read: - 2 to 3 children - male or female - under the age of 5

* This means we continue wait, specifically, to be matched with a sibling set. Like before, there is no established timeline in place; we have no clue how much longer we will be waiting.

* This means it will cost more, probably about $5,000 to $7,000 for each additional child.

A few passages of scripture the Lord used to soften our hearts as we made our decision:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24

Promises were believing the Lord through this adoption process:

"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” Psalm 12:5

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. Isaiah 58:10-12