My college roommates and I had a fish named Trooper once. We named him that because he (how did we know he was a "he"?) survived many atrocities no fish in recorded history had ever lived through. For instance, and this is just one of many, we left his bowl directly under an air vent while we moved into our new apartment and his water became extremely cold. No worries! We'll microwave the bowl! Fish and all. But he lived. Hence the name Trooper. (My roommate also had a hamster named Petey who tragically developed testicular cancer, but that's a story for another time.)
So what does this have to do with our adoption? Nothing. I just wanted you to enjoy a memory that came to me today.
Now for the update!
Our paperwork was officially submitted November 1st. This. is. huge. It means that all of the documents we sent over were complete and they have been given to the proper government agency. Now we are just waiting for a travel date!! Friends, we are SO CLOSE. We could find out as early as this week when we will travel. We are still estimating a departure date sometime in mid-December. Six weeks in country puts us back on US soil WITH OUR BOYS in late January or early February. Oh, what a joyous day that will be...
So far the waiting hasn't been too bad, but today it bummed me out a little bit. I don't know how to explain it except to say that I'm tired of NOT cooking them dinner. I'm tired of NOT getting them up in the morning. I'm tired of NOT teaching them English or playing soccer with them or taking them to the park. I'm tired of NOT breaking up fights or wiping their tears or taking them to the doctor or telling them I love them. I'm tired of not tucking them in at night. This not being a parent yet thing kinda drives me nuts some days. Won't be long now, though. I can't wait.
God has been teaching me a lot lately about believing Him. Not believing in Him, just believing Him. I started to realize that there are promises God has given us that I believe with my head, but not my heart. So lately I've stopped doubting and questioning and just believed. I don't mean that there isn't a time for questioning, but for me that time is not now. I'm listening and believing and God is directing it all, and I have to say, it's been pretty amazing. Trusting Christ fully is an incredible feeling that brings confidence and freedom. You should try it sometime.
I'll leave you with one of my favorite passages. You can find it in the book of Ephesians and it is a prayer I've prayed for many of you lately.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE..." -Ephesians 1:16-19a (emphasis is my own)
Believe what God is telling you with everything you have and you will experience the immeasurable greatness of His power so that you can glorify Christ by living the fullest possible life God has called you to live. It will be incredible.
Love you guys!
Jenn
