Thankful...

The process of updating our paperwork is in full gear now. We've already received reports back from a couple government offices and continue to wait for others. It's also been a joy to talk with those kind folks who previously wrote letters of reference/recommendation for us and are now renewing those letters for us. So the journey continues...and we are so thankful.

We heard from our adoption agency yesterday and it appears that there is some encouraging news, as well. At one time a year or two ago, referrals were made in month-by-month groupings. For example, the dossiers of that month usually received a month's worth of referrals. But as things progressively slowed down, only a few days of referrals were being matched during a month which meant that more waiting time extended for the adoptive parents. For the first time in a year, about eight days of referrals (instead of two or three days) were matched for the month of June! This is a wonderful step in the direction of possible reduced waiting time. So we rejoice in that slight but optimistic direction. We still have no idea when our baby girl/s will be with us but we are so thankful that there is good news in this area. It is already apparent to our family that the second year of this process is more challenging. The dossier has been sent and logged in...fourteen months ago tomorrow, to be exact!! We are updating paperwork this month and next. And then we wait...more.

Yet I can't help but remember what some wonderful friends continue to tell us. Some have said that "it's all in God's master timing and perfect plan." Another has said "God's timing is always right." And another has said "When you hold her in your arms, it all makes sense." So it is not for us to question the "whys" and "how much longer"...although that comes to mind every day. We'd rather focus on the fact that God indeed knows the specific baby girl/s He has in His plan for us...and He will bring us together when the time is right. So why? Because God isn't finished with this process yet. How much longer? As long as it takes to bring our baby girl/s into our family and home as God has planned! It is tough to wait, I'll admit. While walking through the mall today, I saw a precious little Asian girl and my heart jumped with joy and excitement. Then I realized that our little girl IS on the way...at just the right moment and in just the right way. She may not even be born yet. But she is in God's mind...and in His plan...and in our hearts. As our dear friend also reminded me recently, "God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways." We will trust in Him.

Meanwhile, we'll continue the updating process...and my friend, Judy, and I may eventually give in and buy those precious little girls' shoes that we've been watching! I mean...a girl can never have too many shoes anyway, right? :] And we want to be ready when the time...and our baby girl/s...arrive! Being "paper pregnant" is not always easy and it is the longest pregnancy I've ever known...but it sure gives us more time for shopping and preparing!!!!! ;]

We are so thankful in our journey for your prayers, your love, your reminders, your encouragement...and for all those who are helping us as we update the paperwork! This is truly a journey of blessings every step of the way! Thank you so much! Blessings to you and yours!
Cherishing the moment,
Terri and family