November: Adoption Awareness Month

November has definitely been a month of encouragement. And we have needed that. Last week, we went to a banquet for our adoption agency. I was wondering how that would go - hearing the stories of adoptions and seeing many of the children that are already home in their forever families. But I knew that we needed to go. And I am so glad that we did. Hearing the testimonies of some of the families - their heartbreaks and triumphs - was very encouraging to me. It helped to remind me of the joy, hope and passion that I have had during our adoption journey that had waned a little since the news of the increased wait time. Also, hearing these stories opened my heart a little to the possibilities of what God has in store for us.
And Sunday morning, we went to a class/meeting at our church. They have started an orphan committee, reaching out to those in need - including those that are adopting. It was another time of testimonies and wonderful stories of how God moved through people's lives and difficult parts in their journeys to bring their families together. We were encouraged, yet again. Also, I got to talk to several women that have been down similar paths as I have - one that has adopted, and one that is thinking about adopting. It was great to meet them - to share feelings that are so similar, but sometimes so isolating.

Now that the immediate sadness and shock of the increased wait time is wearing off a little, we have been able to see the way God is moving in our lives. He is always doing amazing things, but we now have our eyes wide open and our hearts ready to receive what God is leading us to - a hope and a future.