Today is the Day

So - our pastor has been teaching us through the story of Elijah in 1Kings and 2 Kings.  There's so much about his story that I identify with.  Elijah never imagined (or so I would think) that he would go head to head with Ahab, or toe to toe with 850 false prophets.  But God clearly used him, had a plan, and knew exactly what he was taking Elijah to and through.  I never thought we would be infertile.  I never, EVER, imagined we would be adopting.  But God has us here.  Right??  We have to rest in that truth.  We have to.

Today, we also sang "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster (you can listen here.)  Oh my.  The words in bold just touch my heart and bring me to my knees.  We recently had our 2nd adoption visit, and it wasn't the smoothest feeling appointment in the world.  We have some lingering feelings of discouragement, but again HAVE to know that God is in this with us, that he has us here for a reason, and he gives us each day as a gift.

I'm casting my cares aside

I'm leaving my past behind

I'm setting my heart and mind on You 

Jesus

I'm reaching my hand to Yours

Believing theres so much more 

Knowing that all You have in store for me is good

Is good

Today is the day You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow

I'm trusting in what You say

Today is the day

I putting my fears aside

I'm leaving my doubts behind

I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You

Jesus

I'm reaching my hand to Yours

Believing there's so much more 

Knowing that all You have in store for me is good

Is good

Finally, we recently did a 25 mile hike in 48 hours to Havasupai and back in the Grand Canyon, with our two best friends.  It's an incredible place, the photo below is just a tiny slice of this heavenly place that sits right in the middle of the desert.

Progress...

It's official!  We're on our way toward becoming parents!  We have completed one visit so far, and the next is scheduled for 10/28!!  Here's what we have to accomplish before being certified:
1.  Visit in nearby small town (2 appointments - each individual interview) - DONE
2.  Visit in nearby small town (1 appointment - genogram) - 10/28
3.  Visit in our small town (2 appointments - home visit & results of our personality tests) - TBD
4.  Visit in nearby big city (2 appointments - infertility counseling & new personality test results) - TBD

In the meantime, we're still creating our match letter and are SO excited to be on this journey!   We're trying very hard not to create expectations about timelines...we figure, if we don't create expectations, we can't be disappointed.  :)  Plus, this line of thinking helps us all the more to remember it's God's timing and not our own that will guide this process.

If you would like, we'd like to invite each of you to be praying for our birthparents and child.  It's amazing, as I've begun praying this way, the things that God is choosing to reveal...  For example, earlier on in the infertility journey, I have a very dear friend that would remind me, often when a new cycle would start - "God knows the EXACT sperm and egg that will meet to create your child."  And she's right - just because it's not my egg and Ben's sperm - this is still our child!!!!  And we are praying for him or her, and for the parents that will courageously choose to place them into our arms.

Much love,
Jenny