Right now we are truly waiting... Here is where it has all come to a stand-still. We knew it was inevitable... The State is known for being slow. However, it's more frustrating when everything is done but we're just waiting on a quick approval. Seriously, the reader is supposed to read like 2 sentences in our revised Home Study, and so far it has been two weeks (not to mention the entire MONTH that I was gone!) to read those two sentences. If she would just read the two sentences, we could start looking at profiles! Ahh! Well. God's timing is perfect. :) We are having fun arranging our house, and Chad did an awesome job while I was gone, of clearing out the nursery. It's strange to have an empty room! It won't be empty for long. :)
On September 8th I am going to my very first MOPS group!! Woohoo! It is in a little farm town, at a little farm church, with farm wives, and little farm children. :) It will be nice to be around a new group of interesting people. Refreshing. Two of the leaders I've spoken with are very sweet and welcoming, even though we don't have a child yet. I have felt the need for a support group. It is different when your belly is not growing... so we'll see how it goes. I really wish there were an adoption group. I've tried to start one, but I never heard back from two of my "sources." Disappointing. Oh well. MOPS will be fun!
Again, God's timing is perfect. I say that especially because I have had some health issues come up (not to alarm or sound dramatic, but pretty possibly lifestyle-changing concerns). So, I have been dealing with that and trying to get well. I believe that I am going through this for a reason and I am SO excited to see what that reason is! In a few months I will know God's plan in all this, and I am excited! I know it sounds strange... I will be able to explain once I am completely healed. :) I am believing for healing! I wish I could also explain to you the amazing timeline of the beginning of our adoption process also, but I will be able to tell you by the end of this coming month. :) You will say, "Wow God!" No one could make this stuff up.
The Scripture reading that changed my mind, to say "Yes" to God - "Yes" to adoption (Disregard the little letters...since I just copied & pasted):
Ephesians 1... Blessed be fthe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing gin the heavenly places, 4 heven as he iCHOSE us in him jBEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be kholy and blameless before him. In LOVE5 lhe PREDESTINED US for mADOPTION as sons through Jesus Christ, naccording to the purpose of HIS WILL, 6 oto the PRAISE of his glorious GRACE, with which he has blessed us in pthe Beloved. 7 qIn him we have rREDEMPTION sthrough his blood, tthe forgiveness of our trespasses, uaccording to the riches of his grace, 8 which he LAVISHED upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 vmaking known3 to us the mystery of his will, naccording to his purpose, which he wset forth in Christ 10 as a plan for xthe fullness of time, yto UNITE all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained zan inheritance, ahaving been predestined baccording to the purpose of him who works all things according to cthe counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be dto the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard ethe word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, fwere sealed with the gpromised Holy Spirit, 14 who is hthe guarantee4 of our iinheritance until jwe acquire kpossession of it,5 lto the praise of his glory.
(For some reason I can't edit the following part of the chapter... but this is our prayer for our adoptive child...and also, verse 22 means to me that we are to stand in the gap for the orphans but also teach them to conquer the darkness of their past, in order to live for God in the present and in the future. We have that kind of authority as believers.)
