Last year at the new year we were really confused. We had excitedly started the adoption process and then thrown a curveball with an unexpected pregnancy that ended quickly in our 8th miscarriage. We spent the holidays trying to decide what to do when January came, and when that happened - we were no closer to knowing what to do. My husband entered 21 days of prayer and fasting, and by the end, we were still without a solid "answer". So with trepidation, and knowing God would lead our steps, we decided to return to the domestic adoption process, and as quickly as we tried to restart, God closed the door. It was exactly what we needed, an answer.
In early March we submitted our application to begin adopting from China, by June we had completed all the initial paperwork and classes and were starting our homestudy. Our summer was crazy, but by August we had completed our homestudy and were working on our dossier. It was the middle of September when an email of special focus children brought our son to our eyes and he stole our hearts. We were matched, sent our LOI and had our dossier to China by the end of October, and then we waited.
I had prayed so desperately that we would recieve our LOA for Christmas, but I knew 2-4 mo from DTC (Dossier to China) was Dec 31. And on December 29 while trying to get Z out of the trunk of the van, my phone rang our LOA had arrived! There it was, our Christmas gift!
Now here we are, January of a new year, so different from last January. We can see the finish line, but we haven't reached it yet. It reminds me of running with my good friends Susan and Leisha. At the end of every run when I can see where we finish I usually sprint to the end and proudly exclaim "I won!" (Which is a matter of joking between us because they usually have slowed their pace significantly for me to be able to run with them). But it is how I finish every race I run, with a sprint because inside I want to be like "oh okay, we made it to the end, I'm done now." But I haven't actually made it to the end. Sort of like the tortoise and the hare, start out strong and piddle out in the end.
Here we are, sprinting to bring home Doron, only this race - we can't piddle out on. This race we have to finish because our son lays in the balance.
I'm praying that this sets a presedence for me this year. I want to finish the goals and tasks I set before myself. Ambition gets you started but its dedication and perseverance that help you finish and finish strong.
May this be a year of beautiful beginnings and well run races for you as well!
Hebrews 12:1-2New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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