While I'm waiting....

Everyone keeps asking what's the scoop on our adoption….and the only answer I have (right now) is that we are on the waiting list.  What does that mean?  That' means that we simply WAIT.  We wait until the families in front of us have been referred (matched) with a child.  Once we are at the top of that list the agency will contact us when a child has been referred to us.  At that point we will be allowed to review any history they may have, including a medical report from a physician.  We then will have the option of accepting/denying the referral.  Once we accept a referral, a new wait process begins.  That wait  process is for all the court things to pass go and to receive a court date to go get our child!  As of September 1st a new law/process has been established and we just found out a few days ago that we will (more than likely) only be taking 1 trip to Ethiopia…as opposed to two.  This will be less costly in airfare (which is a good thing) but will also mean that we will probably have a longer stay in Ethiopia (which I am fine with, since we would be with our child)!!  I know God has it all under control and He is working it all our for our good & our child's good.  

What are we doing while we wait?

PRAYING PRAYING PRAYING!  Life keeps going whether we are waiting or not waiting on a child….life moves on, and that's ok.  Waiting hasn't always been my best quality but God has definitely shaped and molded me over the past 4 years to be a little less like me and a little more like Him.  God doesn't change.  He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (thank goodness).  In that truth alone…..I have peace.  I have peace that God will keep our child safe when we don't have the ability to be there.  I have peace that God will keep our child's birth mother safe and protected throughout her pregnancy, delivery, and any care she provides our child afterwards.  I have peace that God will rain His love, peace, and grace on our child's birth mother and the difficult decision that she knows she will make.  I have peace that God is comforting our child when we cannot.  God's peace replaces fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety.  It fills the void of any second guessing or fear of the unknown.  My God is more than enough.......

Praying is what I do…..while I wait, I pray.  You can pray too!  If you don't know what to pray….here are some things that I pray about daily….

-First and foremost, we want God to be glorified through our adoption.  God is a God of adoption…..He has adopted US as His sons and daughters, through Jesus Christ.  We want others to see our journey and praise God for His faithfulness and sovereign goodness.

-We are calling forth a smooth and quick adoption process with no hindrances.  We believe the Lord will meet these desires of our hearts.

-We are praying for the families ahead of us and the abundance of children that so desperately need a forever family.  We pray that God would supernaturally allow as many children as possible to be referred to their families.

-We pray open doors to share the Gospel of Jesus and be a witness unto Him because of this adoption.

-We pray constant and divine safety and protection over our child and our child's birth mother.  I pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and any care she will provide thereafter. 

-I pray for my child's birth mother's salvation and that she would come to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior (if she doesn't already).

-We pray that when any fear, doubt, or unbelief tries to creep it's way in….that God reminds us of who He is and that all things are possible through Him.

-We also pray for the words spoken out of the mouths of our family, friends, and even strangers.  We cast out any negative words over our adoption process back to where they came from.  We pray that those who speak of our adoption speak under the influence of God's truth and His promises.... and nothing else.

Homework!  Our agency has us wrapped up in homework.  We received our "tool box" in the mail a month or so ago and have a specific amount of homework that we will be completing over the next couple of months.  They also sent a few coloring books, a children's book centered around adoption, a cute little monkey, and also the sweetest little t-shirt.

Letters!  What?  Yep, you read it right.....I am writing to our child....God led me to do it, so I am!  I don't know if he/she is even born or conceived at this point in time....but I'm writing.  I've waited so long for a child that I want them to know how much I loved them, prayed for them, and thought of them LONG before I knew they were mine.  Sound familiar?  Reminds me of the Lord.  Long before we were ever conceived, God had a plan for our life!  He has us on his mind since the beginning of time.  I want my child to know without a doubt that though they weren't "expected" they were so graciously "selected".... selected by the hand of God.  Ah, joy!  Makes my heart smile.

Waiting is not easy!  I'm not trying to portray it to be.  Have you ever waited a long time for something your heart desired SO bad?  I've desired to be a Mom my entire life.  It's always been one of my biggest dreams.  I've technically waited 4 years.  It hasn't' been easy.  Do you want me to be real?!  At times, I'd rather stay home curled up in a ball and throw a pity party for myself…but guess what?!  Life goes on!  No matter what season of my life I am in....God is still worthy of my praise!  He is more than enough for me.  Circumstances change but God never changes!  God's promises continue to stand true (despite the current circumstances), but they will not happen in my time…it has to be His time.  When the day comes that I hold our first child….I know I will say, "it was so worth the wait."  Does that make it easier right now?  No.  But in the meantime I just lean on God and His strength….  He is my rock!  I could not have endured this without Him by my side every step of the way!

Here are the lyrics to a powerful song that I just LOVE so much and truly speaks about how my heart feels at this season in my life….. You don't have to be waiting on a child to relate to this….just waiting in general!  We all have things that God has promised us!  Are you standing firm and confident, knowing that God will perform that which He promised?  What do YOU do while you wait?  Below these amazing lyrics you will find scriptures that I have been standing on during this "wait".  I hope they help you in some way…what ever you are facing, know that God still loves you!  Be blessed friends!  Thank you for your prayers, love, and support as we walk out "Ausbrooks story for God's glory"!  We love you all! :)

"I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I will move ahead bold and confident
I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint

And I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You Lord

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting"

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.  Do not lean on your own understanding but acknowledge Him in all you do...knowing that He will direct your steps." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"The Lord is good to everyone.  He showers compassion on all His creation." - Psalm 145:9

"For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  Oh Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you." - Psalm 84:11-12

"God's way is perfect.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection." - 2 Samuel 22:31

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for it's own time." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

"Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 34:8

"Be still and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world." - Psalms 46:10

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone --especially to those in our family of faith." - Galatians 6:9

What is God calling YOU to do?  Search your heart and ASK HIM!!