3 Months, but who's counting?

Ha, Ha, Ha! For anyone who's never adopted or in the process of adopting, you may not get the humor in the title. For those of you in the process, I'm sure you totally get it. Counting seems to be my middle name these days. Prior to adopting, I didn't know what day it was most days. Heck, I don't even wear a watch. Now, I can't wait for the 23rd of the month to roll around to say we've been waiting another month. A funny thing happened yesterday. I was out of school Monday and part of Tuesday with my two kiddos, as they were sick. When I returned to work yesterday, my first graders insisted upon seeing the pictures of the babies. They thought I had actually gone to Africa, gotten the babies, and promptly returned to work. After explaining how no, my kids were sick, it would take a long time to get to Africa and back, etc., etc. etc., one of my students said, "Ohhhhh right, Mrs. L, the babies are still in your belly." Oh boy!!! So, I thought we had it all cleared up, and about 10 minutes later, one of my little girls raised her hand and said, "So, Mrs. L. I want to see the pictures." What pictures, A. "You know, the pictures of you in Africa." I didn't go to Africa, A., remember? We just talked about that. Remember our whole conversation? "Well, I just want to see the pictures of wherever you were." I was at home. In (hometown). "Yeah, wherever, I just want to see the pictures." Oh geez. So, the kids again told me how they can't wait to see the babies and couldn't I just go get them. Never have I thought they were more wise. Only if it were that easy.

Believe

"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" ~Jesus (John 11:40)

Not sure exactly all this means, but I know Jesus is speaking it over and over again.  

Families from Dove in Ethiopia

Three families left for Ethiopia to pick up their children over the last few days.  Although it's not our turn yet, it is truly awesome to see their children for the first time through photos and encourages me to keep pressing onward.  Seeing the photos is a visual reminder of what God has spoken in our hearts.  

WAITING

Yes, that would be the simple, one-word phrase that would best describe our lives right now. W-A-I-T-I-N-G

I had been doing pretty well until the end of last week. I fell off the wagon, the Patience Wagon, that is. Before I knew it, my impatience got the best of me and it turned into a full-blown pity party. Perhaps it was the announcement of a baby shower, or the sale of the home by someone else, I'm not really sure, but for a few hours, I took my eyes off of what God has promised to us, and started envying those around me. I feel like I've been pregnant since November 2007. That's like longer than an elephant pregnancy, right? (I'll have to ask a fourth grade elephant expert I know) It's not that I'm not joyous for those around me when things are happening in their lives. I truly am. I'm just READY. I'm ready for the babies. I'm ready to move. I'm ready to be a mommy to all four of my children. I'm ready to see what God has been preparing for oh so long.
After complaining to a few people these last few days, I finally cried out to God. 

And He said:
"Write this. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming-it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time."
~Habakkuk 2:2-3 (The Message)

So, I literally plan to write out the vision in big letters and hang it in our house.  Weird.  I know.  But sometimes the things God asks us to do, do not make sense.  I never ever in million years would have guessed two years ago that by this time in my life I would have flown to Guatemala (don't like heights), would have had my heart broken for orphans, and would have two babies on the way (at least at the same time).  So, though it may not make sense, I'll take God at His Word.