"Waiting Patiently"

Now that the flurry of paper chasing is complete, we are in waiting mode. I have talked before on this blog about the issue of "waiting," and, even though I sometimes think I have the concept down, I am learning that to wait takes great faith and discipline. It is far too easy for me to get consumed with scanning the internet adoption-related user groups, checking out our agency's website, and allowing my thoughts to dwell on how much I wish our wait was over. When I allow myself to walk down this path, I find that I am neglecting the tasks at hand right now--the children I have in my care already, the daily household tasks that require discipline, etc--and I am robbing myself (and the people around me) of the joy that God has for me today.

I have come to realize that the only remedy for this "drifting" is to firmly plant myself once again in my daily quiet time to read scripture, meditate, study, and pray. God is so good and so very much in control of all things. Now that my eyes are again fixed on Him, the Wait seems so much less daunting and more like an opportunity to grow in my faith, to teach my children (and their friends who are almost as excited as we are about the adoption) about this kind of faith, and to enjoy the blessings of the life I have even right now.

Even the laundry can be a blessing. Taking something that is so very dirty and stinky and washing it entirely clean and fresh and ready to be used is a reminder of what God does for me each day. Praise Him with me!

I am also so excited and thankful that I have raised over 70% of my goal of $1000 towards the Love Without Boundaries Marine Corps Marathon team! Thanks so much to those of you who have supported me and joined my team! The more I read about LWB, the more I am excited about their work. My training is going well--despite the Florida heat and humidity. My runs are early in the morning, and my long run this past weekend was 13.5 miles. Slowly the mileage is creeping back up!

We enjoyed time this past weekend with dear friends from our early marriage days in DC. Marj and Zack were in town to catch up with their beautiful daughters staying with their grandparents in Panama City. So they spent one night with us and the kids and I got to spend a day with their family at the local water park on Monday. What fun!

The kids and I are getting ready to go on vacation next week to spend time with dear friends Doug and Amy and their kiddos at the NC beach. Poor Tom is so bogged down at work he will be staying back to man the fort. Thankfully he has Tad to keep him company in the evening! Pray for our safety, please, and that Tom would be able to get much work done during his week of solitude.

Thanks for reading!