..And then there were SIX!

We are thrilled to announce our 2nd adoption!!  While we were never sure or committed to a timeline, we always knew from day one of Emma's adoption, that we would return for another daughter!  So after much prayer, discussion, and re-adjusting what we *thought* were our plans this year...we applied to America World Adoption Association on February 9th.  

So now we are in the "paper pregnancy" phase of the adoption.  This paper chasing part of an adoption can be so scary and daunting but I must say the 2nd time around it is much easier.  We have collected all of the required documents and have completed our home study process.  We are currently waiting for our home study to be finalized by the director in our adoption agency.  Once that is complete, we will be given a notarized copy of the document and the next phase of getting authorization begins.   The home study gets sent to Homeland Security to be processed and we apply for permission to bring an orphan into the US.  After that..we send all our documents for verification in two separate places.  More on that later...

Starting a 2nd adoption has been very different for me.  Just like being pregnant the 2nd time you know what to expect in a way...and spend a lot of time thinking of the labor part.  It is painful and hard.  It requires more of you than you think you can give.  It requires a mind set on the 'bigger picture'.  Adoption is like that.  It is labor.  Although not the physical 'give me an epidural' type of labor..it is a labor of love nonetheless.  One that requires more of me than I think I can give at times.  The waiting is hard...right now we are on the fourth week of waiting on other people to get our home study completed.  Each of the next phases are waiting games as well.  The ultimate "WAIT" is that phone call we will eventually get from our agency saying "we have a referral for you, are you interested in seeing it?"  Emma's referral came so unexpectedly, so who knows what will happen this time?  We wait to see the face of who we are waiting for, is she born yet?  Is she in a safe place?  Are her caregivers answering her cries?  Will her needs be something that scare me or will they be on the list of "I can handle that"?  My comfort in all of this is that I don't have wait and worry.  I am only called to wait.  I can't claim control over any of this...but I can rest in the Hands of He who is in control.   Justin and I are so excited to add this special little one to our family and we are resting in the fact that she is precious in the sight of our Father and He is watching over her.   We are excited for the day when all the waiting will unite us with her and she will have a family.  What a day that will be!  Praying for the grace to wait patiently.  Praying for her little heart and health.  Praying for the hearts of my five at home that they would be prepared for her brokenness and the love it will take to restore her heart.  Praying for my fear of driving a passenger van!!  hahahaha!  Seriously!   Can't wait to post our home study is complete...perhaps today??