Learning to give thanks in the delays

Yes, we're still working on paperwork. ::sigh::


BUT, Bill and I talked recently about how what seems like delay after delay is really just a cog in the grand design of God's plan. There are some positive things about the delays:

• I can finish the school year without having to take maternity leave only to return to work
• Bill and I got to take our honeymoon (FINALLY - after 12 years of marriage!)
• We can really think things through instead of rushing an important decision

So what's the hold up now, you ask? I mentioned previously that one of the requirements in the new paperwork we got was to get 1st Aid/Infant CPR certified. Bill's schedule this semester is rather grueling. I haven't seen him home on a Saturday in......I don't even remember. Sunday he's so exhausted from the week that he naps for most of the afternoon before returning to church for evening service. He's up between 4-6am, works for a couple hours before getting breakfast and a shower, then puts in a full work day and comes home and works all evening until he just can't stay awake any longer. The first chance he'll have to work with the training material for certification is Thanksgiving. And I had to extract a promise from him that he would take a day or two off during that break to focus on adoption stuff. I'm gonna hold his feet to the fire on that one.  ;)


One of the other tasks he/we need to complete are birthparent letters. We each wrote one letter previously, but now we've found out that we each need to write TWO - one to each birthparent. And a financial statement. And a training log. And proof of insurance. And, and, and, and!


A friend of ours from church has been praying for our adoption. One day he asked for an update, and then shared that close friends of his had attempted an adoption years ago. But after the onslaught of paperwork started, they gave up.


That's really sad given the number of children waiting for homes (both born and unborn), but I completely identify with that couple. There have been a number of times that I've asked myself, "Are you really sure about this? Is all this paperwork really worth the hassle?"


But then I remind myself that at the end of it all will be a tiny little life that God entrusted to us. A person that has great value in His eyes. A squirmy little bundle of joy that will be thoroughly loved in our home.


I think when I get to the end of all this "hassle", I will answer my own question with an unequivocal, "YES!"