You're adopting, now what?

Several times a day, I walk by a room in our home that is nearly empty. I look through the door and see a large giraffe some dear friends gave us a while ago for our baby's room. This giraffe will always be special to us. It is a visual reminder that before our child is born, people are already praying for him or her. As "someday parents" who have prayed a long time for this child, it is so encouraging to know others are praying as well. At times, I go in the baby's room and stand and look around. I imagine what it will be like someday. I know some nights I'll be picking the child up and wiping away his or her tears, I know other days I will be rocking him or her to sleep and other times we'll be playing and having fun. I can't wait to walk in there and see our baby stand-up and smile - anticipating us coming to lift him or her from the crib. When we began the adoption the process, I really protected my heart and even my emotions. I still do. But as time goes on, I'm allowing myself feel the future. I have prayed about this a lot and I feel this what God wants of me. I'm allowing myself to ask questions, to wonder what it will be like to parent an adopted child. We've done a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, read a lot of books - but none of that can really prepare my heart. That's for God to do and I leave it to him to change my heart. The one consistent thing about this adoption process is waiting. That's what we are doing. We are waiting and praying. It's actually a really good place to be. We know we may be waiting and praying for years and we're okay with that. Sure, we want things sooner - but we're learning patience. We have seen Satan try and take us down through this process. He tries to discourage us and I know he's ramping up his efforts, but life experience and knowledge and faith and verses from the bible remind us our God is victorious and the battle is already won. You know another thing I have really appreciated about this process? I've significantly increased how much I pray. I communicate with God a lot more often and I'm my relationship with him is growing and changing and I know it will continue to do so. So today, I wait. I'll walk into the baby's room this evening - which until a few weeks ago, I called the extra bedroom and I'll pray. I'll pray for our child's birth-mother, I'll pray for the birth-mother's heart, for her life, for her safety, for her protection and I'll pray for her child. I'll pray that she'll be pleased with how we raise her child, that God will bless her in mighty ways for sacrificing and that God will meet all of her needs. This is a beautiful time in our lives. We are getting an education that money can't buy, but one only the holy spirit can provide. I will forever treasure these days and the time with Danielle that I really cherish. Ryan