give thanks

Bob and I had our second adoption training class yesterday, on the drive there I was telling him how I had read in Mark that morning about Jesus feeding the 4000.  In each of the gospels, we hear this story, and each time he does this, he take the loaves and fish, they start with giving thanks.  Giving thanks for what Jesus is about to do, what they know he can do, and what he will do, if they just bring him the loaves and fish.

In the midst of this adoption, I get caught up in what we need, very easily.  We need to read this book, take that class, gather that paperwork, have this much money ready, and can easily lose sight of this journey, and how thankful I am for it.  Nor do I want anyone to think this has been a picture perfect box of an adoption, or our family is the smiling, calm picture above.  We yell, we fight, we get impatient, and wonder what we're getting into, often. But know that if we continue, the blessings now and then far outweigh the rough road now.

It's been a tough road, and I'm thankful for it.  We are and will be a stronger family, have a stronger marriage, and get to experience one of the greatest joys in life, another child in our family.  This journey has produced amazing conversations along the way with people that are becoming close friends.  Whether they've been in touched by adoption or are learning about it through us, we've felt supported in the exciting times, as well as the tough times.  Along the road of exploring what is best for our family during this process, we've made and are making some decisions that will further our walk, our life, and our children's lives indefinitely, and that excites me.  I am thankful for the women we've come in contact with through our adoption home study agency, they have been encouraging, supportive, and extremely informative.  We could easily look at an all day Saturday class as boring, the 6 hours each time have passed quickly and left us more aware and informed of how we are going to parent this kiddo.  We know we'll fail at that too, and we're thankful, because we'll grow and be challenged and know that we are moving forward.

Right now I'd love to seek your prayers in this journey for where our next step would be.  While our initial plan is a little boy from Uganda, we are making sure to seek out and understand how domestic adoption would fit our family as well.  We know whatever choice we come to, he'll pave the way, and we'll give thanks.