I Stomp My Feet (From Frustration to JOY)

So, I'll be honest with y'all.  This week has been a heartbreaking week for me.  I know that a majority of people will not understand where I am coming from.  I have countless blessings.  This was a hard week because we found out that it might not be until the end of July until Faith comes home (or later because we have no concrete idea of timing in the adoption world).  We weren't submitted for an Emigration Permit in April. 

If you grew up with me, you know that I am an expert at whining.  My mantra as a child was, "it's not FAY- YER."  I didn't stomp my feet physically on Wednesday, but I did cry some crocodile tears.  I asked my Mom, "Why does God choose such hard things for me?"   I tried extremely hard not to cry.  I tried to keep my emotions in check.  I had to call my sister and my SIL (she's been through it), too.

My whole being KNOWS to trust in God.  TRUST in His timing.  But my heart was just sad.  I yearn for my baby girl.  I don't want her to be a full blown toddler by the time she gets here.  I want my boys to have time to attach and bond with her before they have to go back to school.

I know from the time that I was battling with infertility (prior to my first born son) that the long wait is worth it.

I praise God for the other women who are going through the same trials as I am and/or have gone through them before me.

I'll stomp my feet because God CHOSE me.  Isn't that fantastic?  God chose our family to be Faith's family.  God chose Faith to be our child.  She may not be in my arms yet, but she was mine from the day I first saw her.  I will lean on Him.  She'll be here when He wants her to be here.

I can't wait until I get to STOMP MY FEET WITH JOY, with her in my arms.  We'll dance.   I can't wait to praise God as I watch her sleeping, as I hold her when she's sick, as I watch her laugh and play, and through the rough stuff that comes with being a parent.  I hope you'll STOMP your feet with joy when she comes home, too.

So, I'll wait and BELIEVE in the promises of God.

Psalm 25:3  Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
         Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart. . .

Bless You!

Finally, Some Adoption News

So I am a little slow about this post.  I have been tired from working full-time and having a family.  I come home and I am like a zombie.  Thank God for my SIL, who came over yesterday to take care of my kids and she cleaned our house.  What a fantastic gift!

Now EP news.  We weren't submitted and I was completely o.k. with that.  I was excited to see EP news for several reasons 1) they were notified 2 weeks after they were submitted, so there is a shorter wait until they are approved and a shorter wait until the next batch is submitted, 2)  EP's are moving  3) We are getting closer to getting to hold our preciousness in our arms. 

I-600 news:  we were APPROVED to bring our baby girl into the U.S.A.  This wait only took 15 days from them receiving it until we were approved.  We were notified Wednesday.

Overall, I am overjoyed about the progress of these two things.  On the other hand, I hope to see MANY more adoptive parents traveling in May.  This month was pretty slow for those types of calls.  I hope to see a TC explosion.

I pray that my friend Cindy travels to pick up there little boy in the next 2 weeks.  They have waited so long.

Praise God for the gifts He gives.  Bless you!

"I Hate Easter"

Today when I was at work, one of the Doctors walked by and said, "Happy Easter."
My co-worker exclaimed, "I hate Easter." 

I looked at her, gave her an uneasy smile, turned my head and stared at my computer waiting for the first patient to arrive. I didn't have time, nor did I have the energy to tackle the whys of her statement.

My first question in my mind was, "You hate the fact that Jesus is risen from the dead and He is the giver of life?"  "Do you hate the secularism of the holiday?" "Did something bad happen to you on Easter?"

I've been dealing with a lot of stress pertaining to situations at work, so I couldn't handle this situation.  Keep in mind that I work at an oncology clinic, so there are some sad situations (some miracles), but a lot of bad news when you're dealing with many cancer patients and many other diseases that are lifetime ill-health diagnoses. 

I had to focus on my work day (I'm still new) and it wasn't an appropriate time to discuss our beliefs due to we were on work time.  Once the day gets started at our clinic, there is no time to sit around and slack off.  Even lunch yesterday was about 15 minutes long.

Please join me in praying for my co-worker and all the others that "hate" Easter.  It's sad for whatever reason she and they "hate" Easter.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26  (NIV 1984)

My heart mourns for the people that don't believe this.  I love Easter because my Savior died on my behalf and rose from the dead.  He's ALIVE!

What Do YOU Figure?

So, you think you have the timeline of adoption figured out and then they change it up on you.  Why?  I don't know.  Keeps us guessing.  I am a planner (sort of).  I would like to know when my little girl will be arriving.  Summer around our house is EXTREMELY busy and it goes by fast.  When our little girl gets home, I don't want to do much for a while.  I want to spend time getting to know her. 

I thought EP's would be submitted Friday, but no news.  It really doesn't matter if we are submitted this month or next month.  I just want to know a ballpark of a month of when she'll be here. 

Maybe, (hopefully) we'll hear something next week.  

A picture would still be nice. 

I am glad no one asked about her at church today.  Praise God through all blessings that flow!

Have a fantastic week.

Rough Few Days

We've all made mistakes.  I've had a rough day at work.  Also, my kids have been sick, so going back to work has been EXTREMELY hard on me.  I think in the long run it will be a good thing, but for the short term I am one guilty Mama. 

Here is the Bible verse that I keep repeating over and over again to get me through this little rough patch.

Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.  (NIV 2011)

If God can give us this, then I guess I can be merciful, peaceful and loving because He gave first.