Grand Plans

At small group today we all shared something that we were content with in our lives, and something that we felt restless about. I am so happy and content with where Zach and I are in the process of adoption. The paperwork stressed me out, but ever since I put it in the mail in June, I’ve been totally at peace. Even though our agency is unsure of their future (and ours) right now, I am at peace. Even though we don’t know who or when or what kind of kids we’ll get, I’m at peace,

I believe that God has a beautiful plan for our children. I am not worried about tomorrow. This adoption process is now out of my hands and out of my control. All I can do is trust that God’s plan will be fulfilled in us, whatever and whenever that may be.

It’s interesting to note that people’s reactions are generally the same when they first find out that we are adopting. I would estimate that about 90% say, “Oh, I had a friend who couldn’t have kids so she and her husband decided to adopt. They were just about to get their kids and THEN THEY GOT PREGNANT!”  I truely don’t understand why people say that. It’s almost like saying that if you try to adopt, it will increase your chances of getting pregnant. Maybe they are trying to encourage us . . . ? But the thing is, we have decided to adopt, not pursue a pregnancy. We can’t get pregnant. It is not possible. Yes, it would be a miracle, but it’s not a miracle we want. We want our 2 Colombian children.

Of course, I can’t say anything like that in the conversations. I just nod my head and smile and say, “Oh really? That’s great.” Then quickly change the subject.

We just got back from a very peaceful vacation to the UP. We are blessed to have the time and money to see God’s beautiful creation far from home.

When we got back, I had many emails to catch up on. One of those was from our adoption agency (CHI) stating that they had surprisingly been denied their Hague accreditation. That was not good news for them and we are praying that the decision will be reversed as soon as CHI goes through the appeals process.

We are not sure at this point how that will affect our adoption process with Colombia and CHI. We were told not to worry because there is no reason to believe that Colombia will stop working with families while CHI goes through the appeals process. It is my understanding from the email that families who already have their I600a application approved have no reason to fear at this point. We are one of those families so I am trusting God that things will continue as we had planned. But, I know the old saying that if you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans. We are trusting Him that whatever happens, whether or not it is what we thought would happen, He has us in his arms and will lead us down the paths he has planned for us. And that is good, because I know that God will not lead us into anything we can’t handle.

Please pray that CHI will get the Hague denial reversed, and all the families who are waiting with so much patience, hope and joy for their children will not be delayed any more than normal.