connections and opportunities

there's been a lot of connecting with strangers lately.  we've opened up and when people ask us what is going on with us, we talk about adoption.  people are curious.  they want to know things about what is going on with the process.  some things we can explain, and others we just do not have answers for.

here is what we know:

• how lucky we are that God has selected this path for us
• we've decided we're doing a domestic infant program in the US
• this program means we could be the proud parents of an infant between the ages of 0 - 3 months
• we've decided we're open to a baby of any gender and any ethnic background
• we know we are ready to love any baby that God calls us to adopt
• we pray for the birth parents and baby on a daily (and sometimes hourly basis)

here is what we are unsure of:

• we don't know how long the process will take once our paperwork has been approved
• we don't know how long it will take to complete all of the paperwork and complete the home study
• how we will handle a match if it falls through
• we don't fully understand how our lives will change with the addition of a new life
• we've had discussions of what will change, how things will work differently, and what we need to be prepared for - but i don't think we will fully understand this until it happens

i went into our small downtown area friday night to pick out a new wreath for our front door.  while there i chatted with the shop owner about preparing for our profile book photos.  she told me how "admirable" it was that we were adopting, since so many babies needed homes.  i've really felt badly about this ever since.  i should have used that opportunity to tell her that i am just doing what God wants me to do, and that it is me who is on the receiving end of something that is admirable, and that the person who should be most admired is the biological parent(s) that are choosing life for their child and loving them enough to give them up for adoption.  but i did not say any of this, i just blew it. 

but, i guess the fact that i cannot stop thinking about it proves that all of my reading may finally be paying off -

because i will be ready next time.