"BIG" defined

Last Sunday I made the prediction that it was going to be a "BIG" week....and I love being right! Here's a rundown of the "BIG" things that happened:

First: "BIG" did mean "REFERRAL"....just not a referral for us. Our agency group has not had any infant referrals since October, but FINALLY one of our families was matched with a two month old little boy on Monday. Seeing some progress after so many months was "BIG"!

Second: I had a really, really tough week waiting (honestly, the hardest yet), but I have the most amazing friends and they stepped up in a "BIG" way with their prayers & encouragement. Thank you all for letting me fall apart for a few days (and for reminding me that its okay to fall apart!). My heart overflows with love and gratitude in a "BIG" way!

Third: Some dear friends of ours have been waiting for news in a situation and it finally came! I know that's really vague for those of you reading, but it was "BIG"....actually it was "HUGE"...and we are praising God for His deliverance this week!

And Last (but not at all least!): I have a close friend who has a burden for children who have waited far too long to have a family. Watching God grow and stretch her and her husband as they walk through the adoption process has been amazing. They made "BIG" progress this week, and it gives me chills to imagine what their family will look like later this year...oh, the possibilities! Its just a reminder to me how "BIG" our God is and how much "BIGGER" His plans are than our own.

So even though this week didn't bring about our referral, It was a "BIG" week in so many ways, and we're still hopeful for some "BIG" referral news to share soon!

8 Months

That's right -- Eight months ago today we submitted our dossier and we're STILL waiting for our referral. Each month gets a little tougher, so its no surprise that this one has been the most difficult. We have had a lot of changes in the last eight months -- changes in coordinators, changes in agencies, changes in the process -- and, we're just so relieved that this month has brought a little more stability.

We are working with a wonderful Christian agency, we have a coordinator who is willing and able to answer all of our questions (Thank You, Lord!), and the process seems to be more clearly defined than it has been recently. There were times last month when our question "When will we get our referral?" turned into "Will we get our referral?", but the activity this month has given us a renewed sense of assurance that WE WILL GET A REFERRAL!!

We are faithfully trusting God, but honestly we're also just really tired of waiting. I think that sums up our status this month, "Tired but Trusting!"

Sundays

Sunday has become one of my absolute favorite days of the week. I get to wake up to Mike making his famous pancakes. We get the opportunity to go to a church that's full of Christ's love and where Truth is spoken each and every week. We spend time with our good friends and four of the most BEAUTIFUL little girls you've ever met (I'll just call them "3-M's and a B"). All amazing things!

But I also love that Sunday means that a new week is beginning. Full of new hope and new possibilities. For some reason, I feel like this is going to be a "BIG" week. I don't know what exactly "BIG" means, but I'm hoping "BIG" means "REFERRAL"!

One Year Ago....

One year ago today, we were doing this.....



...and it began the adventure of our lives.

We never would have dreamed that, one year later, we would still be waiting to meet our child, but we have also never been more certain that God's timing is absolutely perfect. This year has been full of emotion -- joy, frustration, gratefulness, anxiety, fear --- but I'm happy to report that what we're feeling at this moment is an overwhelming peace about where we are and an unbelievable excitement about what's to come.

February

Yesterday was February 1st. Not a big deal for most people, but it was a tough day for me. February 1st meant that January was officially over and we didn't get the referral call we so hoped would come.

For some reason, I thought FOR SURE we would get called in January...so much that I calculated the odds for each day based on the number of days our agency was open and historical data and marked those odds on my calendar so I could track all month (I know, I know...I'm a numbers nerd!). The point is, I let my heart expect that call so deeply that when I woke up yesterday, the 1st of February, and still didn't know our child it left me heartbroken.

I decided yesterday that I would guard my heart this month. I would assume that we aren't getting a referral in February and that way I can't be hurt when it doesn't happen. I took the whole day to be disappointed (and more than a little grumpy), and then I woke up this morning, February 2nd.....

Guess what I did first thing this morning....I calculated the odds for each day in February based on the numbers of days that our agency is open and historical data and marked those odds on my calendar so I can track all month. So much for guarding my heart, huh?

Please, Please, Please join us in praying that February will be the month that we FINALLY get our referral!!!