Lent

You know... Lent is one of my new favorite times of the year. A time to reflect. A time to make difficult changes. A time for becoming stronger.

As a child, I could remember thinking Lent was awful. No meat?! Fasting?!

Yesterday I am sure my kids felt that way when I put my foot down and stopped their constant whining for snacks at 4pm and stated... "It is 4pm. For the next hour, you two are going to fast from all food. No one is allowed to ask for anything until after 5pm." And by golly it WORKED!!! Ha! I'll have to try that again.

Anyway. I get off topic.

So, this Lent, we wait. We wait to meet our little girl. We try our best and fast from the temptation of making this about US and OUR timing/wants/needs/etc. And boy is it hard. Just a few moments ago I went on a little tantrum. A little fit about how things aren't going "my way". I am sure God's sitting by me saying... "It's February 26th. If you can just wait you will get exactly what you need, in my timing."

February

What a wild ride the past few weeks have been! We were so ready to get our official acceptance and referral for our darling girl. I guess it never crossed my mind that we would have to complete an addendum! This addendum was a request for more information from our homestudy agency regarding two things. I cannot put into works the anxiety I felt regarding this somewhat 'simple' task! Thank God for our homestudy agency (specifically Anne) who took control and was able to get it done, with very little help from me! What a relief to have someone fighting for us! Yesterday was a particularly difficult day for me. However, my worrying was uncalled for... because our addendum is in the FINAL stages and now just needs to be apostilled (certified) and sent to C*l*mbia for translation! Woot!!!

What next, you may ask?

PRAY for speedy translation and ACCEPTANCE and REFERRAL!!!

I am *thinking* that this should be a relatively quick step, since they only needed to have these two questions answered. But...hahaha...I have learned that this is normally NOT the case.

Hoping that I will have another update SOON.

Thank you for your prayers and petitions to God. He is in control and His timing is PERFECT!

Please Pray

Dear heavenly Father, we thank You that children are a gift from You and that their angels are always in Your presence in heaven.  (Matthew 18:10)   Today we pray for Rose who is in need of a new family better able to care for, nurture and love her.

We also thank you, Father, that you have given loving hearts to Katie and Paul and that they feel called by their love for this precious child to begin the adoption process.  You know the difficulties that Katie and Paul have gone through and the prayer and effort they have put into their decision to adopt. 

We pray that the adoption process will run smoothly and that the doors will open so this child may become a permanent part of this new family.  We pray for wisdom and discernment for all doctors, lawyers, social workers, judges and court staff that they will work in the best interest of this child.   We also pray for Your provision of the resources of money and expert advice needed for the prospective parents.

We pray for the birth mother that you will give her courage and hope. 

Father, the longer this child is in their new prospective home, the stronger the bonds of love are growing each day.  We pray that You will help all involved – child, prospective parents, grandparents, birth parents and friends – cope with the stress of not knowing if and when the adoption will be final.  

We pray that your will be done in this precious child’s life and that this child will be surrounded by love and nurtured in the knowledge of You so they may grow into the strong, secure, beautiful person you desire.  

Guide us as we pray and make us instruments of healing and help in this situation.  And guard our own hearts with the knowledge that You are here and that You care.   In the name of Jesus who blessed little children by taking them into his arms, Amen.

Copyright Karen Barber 2012  All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas!

It warms my heart to know that Rose has had a chance to celebrate Christmas. Saturday they had a party sponsored by our agency. Today I received a few photos. Happy Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!

**photo removed for privacy reasons**

Twitter

I am not on twitter much (manly post, but rarely check to read responses), but this morning I ventured on. I was sad to see post responding to my tweets from NO ONE else, but family. Family responding to my posts on our adoption...not with love and support, but with anger and "embarrassment". It's hard to know what to do from here. Do I delete/hide my blogs, twitter, facebook? 

I KNOW I am over-reacting. 

It hurts when the people you would reach out to in times of pain (holidays without a child at home) feel like people you want to avoid. It makes me want to hide and take my husband up on his offer to move. 

My heart hurts today. 

It's nearly been a year since we lost our "Natalia' and now I am sitting here missing my Rose.

I am SO blessed. I know. No one owes me ANYTHING. My friends that have supported me are a true GIFT FROM GOD. 

Thanks to you who love and support us. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful day spending time with family. Although it's always a little disappointing to not have Rose home with us, we rejoice in the thought that she will be joining us for next year's festivities.

Now that Turkey Day is over, it's time to switch over to Christmas planning mode. I still have a few more gifts to purchase. If you are anything like me and like to avoid crowds and the rush, you frequent Amazon. PLEASE consider using this link -------> Our Associates Link

THANK YOU!