April Adoption Update

China matched log in dates of Sept. 1-4, 2006.  Not a big batch, but still closer to our little brown eyed bundle.  15 more days of matching to go.  I'm trying to be realistic and say it might not happen until August, then I'll be surprised if it's sooner.  We will more than likely have to renew our paperwork under Hague which means adding about 2-3 months before we can travel.  I'm totally bummed about that, but as long as we've waited so far, a few more months aren't likely to kill me.  I'm thinking we will travel somewhere between Nov.-January.  It is great to check blogs and see the referral pictures from others adopting from China.  I just can't believe it will be us before long!  I wonder how old she will be, is she a happy baby, is she healthy....so many emotions and so many questions!  I just can't wait to get her H.O.M.E!!

I wonder...

Even before we are matched with our daughter and we travel to get her, there are many things I've learned about adoption.  My goal is to get some of these random thoughts in black and white so I'll be able to look over them in the future and remember this season of waiting, longing and wondering.  So many times in the Bible God has people build an altar to remember His works.  I guess this is my feeble attempt and doing something to remember all He has done for me through this journey.  Lesson #1- when I hold my daughter for the first time she will probably cry and reach for her nanny.  The first few nights (hopefully, just a few) she will cry because she misses her orphanage and the people there.  It will be the most difficult transition of her little life.  I will rock, comfort, kiss and sing to her.  I'll tell her all the wonderful things waiting for her back at home.  How she has a family there, how they love her, how empty her room is without her, how her sisters can't wait to smother her in kisses.  But, she won't understand any of that.  She will long for the only life she knows, even if it's nothing in comparison to what she has to look forward to.  This mirrors my life in so many ways!  How I cling to the things of this world, the things that are in style, important and cool (oh, the cool stuff slips by quite frequently, I've never been "cool").  How I spend my day worrying and working on things that are here and now, instead of storing up treasures in heaven.  I know God is there to rock, comfort, kiss and sing to me and tell me "just wait to see what I've got for you at home", but I still turn each day and reach for the things of here and now.  I have so much to learn and this little brown-eyed beauty, through adoption, is already teaching me so much.