Adoption update #2

We are right around 6 months into our adoption wait so far. (As a reminder, the average wait time is 18-24 months.) It’s hard to believe we could be 1/4 of the way done with the wait already! Don’t get me wrong, we’re anxious for our family to expand, but it really has gone by faster than I expected.

Christmas time

With the holidays approaching, I’ve been getting really excited just thinking about sharing our favorite Christmas traditions with a child/children one day. Lighting the Advent candles our nephews made for us, decorating the tree with our childhood ornaments, singing Christmas songs in the car, Christmas Mass celebrating the birth of our Savior, oplatek on Christmas Eve, sharing our goal boxes, baking homemade biscotti, watching our godchildren open their presents, mixing up batches of homemade Irish cream, matching pajamas even for our pup. And the food! Good gravy there is a lot of delicious food.

There is so much joy and love in our families year round, but the holidays really bring it front and center. We can’t wait to share it all with our future children. Is it hard to be childless during this time of year? Of course, but this year I’m doing my best to be thankful for the wonderful family I have and to savor this time we have left as a family of three. Of course I’m counting Arwen. If you’re questioning that, do you even know me? 😉

Encouraging words

The readings in Mass last weekend spoke to my heart about this period of waiting.

For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4-6
(Emphasis added by me)

I often think of God the father, God the healer, God the savior, etc. But the God of endurance and encouragement?! That’s exactly who I need to draw closer to in this season of life. <3

Agency update

Unlike many agencies, ours doesn’t tell us every time our book is shown and we’re being considered for a placement. I actually prefer this, as I think it would make me a little nuts to fret over it every time.

We emailed our agency to check in to see if they’ve been able to show our book to any expectant mamas/families. They have!! We’re excited we are being considered. Initially I was also sad we had been considered and not selected. Then Mark reminded me it’s possible the expectant mothers who viewed our book decided to parent instead of place. (That husband of mine is wise!) If that’s the case, we should be praising God they were able to parent. The Lord will lead us to a child who needs us when the time is right.

We’ve also been praying about and researching foster care recently, with a heart for sibling groups specifically. Please pray for us as we continue to discern where the Lord is leading us to grow our family, and if you hear of anyone considering adoption for their child(ren), please keep us in mind!

Please also pray for all women/couples experiencing unexpected pregnancies, that they receive the resources, love, and comfort they need.