The first end in sight
Our social worker emailed us last night with a rough draft of our home study report. That means we are close to sending our paperwork to Colombia for review. Here are the last few steps we will take in order for that to happen.
We still have to get our fire inspection which will be completed this week. We also have to write a letter of introduction to the Colombia Office of Child Welfare, telling them about our family, why we want to adopt, how we will raise the children, etc. Then, we have to wait on the psychologist in California to call our social worker as well as ourselves for an interview. After that, she will write up a psychological report for both of us and send it to the California Secretary of State for apostilling. When we get that report in the mail, we can compile all our paperwork and send it to the Ohio Secretary of State for apostilling. Essentially, getting a document apostilled means that the state legislation verifies that all the notary public stamps are legit. Then they put their own stamp of approval on it.
Once Colombia receives our paperwork, (it will all be translated into Spanish), they will review it and decide whether or not to accept it. If everything is in order and they agree to let us adopt from their country, then we begin the 24 month wait for a referral. God willing, it will come sooner than that.
Many people have asked how Zach and I are dealing with the paperwork, the wait, the anticipation. We are joyful that in just over 2 years we will be a family of four. One blessing about adopting internationally is that the time line is pretty clear. There won’t be too much guessing about when or how things will progress. That creates such a sense of relief as we continue to wait patiently. Even though it is so far away, we get excited talking about and planning for the future.
Again, thanks for all your encouragement and prayers. We’ll keep you updated on the paperwork, and we anticipate that we can send everything to Colombia by the end of April. Please pray that this will be the case.
On Nieces
Less than 24 hours and I’ll have a new niece. I can’t wait. It is such a blessing to live near family, and this waiting for a new little life reminds me why we moved up here. We don’t know her name yet, but as soon as Kristen and Jeff see her, I’m sure they will choose the perfect name. And as soon as I see her, I’ll take some pictures and post them, so stay tuned.
Speaking of nieces, here’s a funny story. Mom, Dad and I took a walk down to Jeff and Kristen’s tonight. When we got there, Ava’s cute little face was staring out the window. She seemed excited to see us. As soon as we walked in the dogs started playing, so I picked Ava up to make sure she didn’t get knocked down. Well, I noticed that she was in big girl underwear . . . no diaper. I was so proud of her, and was telling her this as I took off my gloves and she took off my hat. Then, I noticed that her leg was wet. I asked Kristen if Ava could possibly have peed her pants. Well, obviously she could have, and she did! All over me!!! It was hilarious. My coat was soaked, my phone and my camera got wet inside my coat pockets, and Kenzie went crazy over my gloves, which means they got wet too. Was it excitement that we were there? Nerves about a new baby sister? The dogs? Me?
We’ll never know . . .
On TV
I took the TV out of our bedroom . . . to make more time for other things. 
Really though, TV can consume me. I have resolved to only turn it on to check the weather and to watch LOST on Thursday nights with my family.
20 things to do instead of TV:
1. read
2. knit
3. pray
3. take Kenzie for a walk
4. write a letter to a friend
5. make a phone call
6. do laundry
7. sudoku
8. blog
9. nap
10. cook
11. bike
12. help someone
13. play the piano
14. clean the house
15. garden
16. talk with the neighbors
17. wash the car
18. take pictures
19. write an award winning children’s book
20. talk to my husband over tea and cribbage
On Time
This week I participated in a prayer experience at Crossroads. It was a beautiful and challenging expression of how God can speak to us and change us. There were a total of 10 stations, but the one that spoke to me the most was Time. I struggle with the use of my time because I have so much of it. I have a wonderful job that I don’t have to bring home with me, nor do I have children to take care of, and this gives me more time than I have energy for. I come home from work extremely tired. I have around 5 hours of discretionary time in the evenings. I spend some of that time cooking, and the rest of it resting. Is this glorifying to God? That’s my struggle. How could I be spending my time better? Where will I get the energy to do that?
This may sound ironic to many friends and family because we are adopting children, and that requires lots of energy. And to be honest, Zach has, on occasion, said that he worries about how I will meet that new demand for my time and energy. I’m not worried about that at all. In fact, I am usually offended when he says that. But I understand the concern. Based on my lifestyle now, it seems like the adjustment will be overwhelming. But when someone needs you, that gives you reason to act, and the energy to do it. Need is motivation enough to spark energy. So I’m not worried. But that’s two years away.
Right now, I want to spend my time better. I want something to “need” me. So I have my eyes and ears open. And yesterday, during the prayer experience, I asked God how I would have the energy to do whatever it is that He has planned for me. And He answered me. He said, “I will be your strength.” And it’s true. He is my strength.
Isaiah 40:
29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
