Choose Love

Five months ago today we requested our little guy's file, we are about halfway through this process (hopefully), if everything goes smoothly and according to schedule. We can't get there soon enough!  How do you love a child that you've never met so much?  How do you miss a child that has never been with you so much?  I don't know, but we do.  We really do!  Please continue to pray for a speedy approval from our government.

I have a little story to share with you.

As I was finishing my morning walk, coming up my street I see some trash on the ground, it's been there a few days and nobody has bothered to pick it up, not even me, I saw it yesterday and walked on by.  I was feeling like God was nudging me to pick it up but kept walking because surely God was not asking me to pick up trash, right? It wasn't my trash so why should I pick it up?  Besides that, it was a smashed, dirty McDonald's bag and I'm sure it had tons of germs on it!  Still feeling the nudge I turned around and picked it up.  I continue to walk up my street, trash in hand and begin asking God to enlighten me because there must be a deeper meaning here.  Once home I throw away the trash, wash my hands, and get ready to clean the house.  I select shuffle on my Christain playlist ( worship while you clean ) that's what I do.  The first song is "Love People" by the Katina's.  Ok, I suppose picking up trash from this lovely street we live on is loving my neighbors in a small way, even though it wasn't my trash to pick up.  Still, there must be more…The next song is " Your Love is Extravagant"  by Casting Crowns.  Here is one line from the song:

"Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin."

Ok God, I get it now, that one powerful line says it all.  The work of the cross was the ultimate act of love but did we deserve it or earn it in any way? No, we didn't.

1John 4:10
This is love: Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

It's that simple, a little lesson on love. Love your neighbors, love your enemies, love people.  We know this already, don't we?  We just need to be reminded sometimes.  I could go on and on about this.  We are in need of Love in this world... Choose Love.

John 13:34
" A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Now,  I'm off to clean the kid's bathroom, even though I don't use it and shouldn't have to clean it (that's what I always tell them ).  Do I want to clean their bathroom?  Never!  But I love them and today  I'll choose to so they can play outside on this beautiful day when they get home from school.

Another care package

UPDATE:  Our home study is final and approved!! Now we  send off our I-800A ( an application seeking approval to adopt from our government )  and wait for approval which can take 4-6 weeks. Please pray that this happens quickly, we really need to meet our deadline in October.  I finally feel like we're making progress. Yay!  I have to say that I was dreading the home study process, you have to be an open book and talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk….about everything in your life... ever.  If you know me you know that I'm not down with all that, but fortunately I love our social worker, she's been awesome, and it really wasn't bad at all.  I'm so glad its over though ;)

To our surprise we have another opportunity to send a care package.  I love that our agency does this for all the waiting families. We sent the first one just two months ago so we weren't expecting to have another opportunity so soon.  No complaints here, we're happy to shower our little guy with fun little gifts. I wish we were allowed a bigger package so we could send some extra things for his little friends and caregivers.  I'll definitely try to squeeze some extra goodies into the next package.

I just love that t-shirt and Gabe's daddy loves little clothes (but mostly pajamas) with dinosaurs.

Speaking of t-shirts, we have one adoption shirt available, size small-unisex  $20 shipped, message me if you're interested.

Thanks for following our journey.

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-4-gabe/341337

A couple of things

A couple things happening this week.  Today we received our home study for review, it looks great to me but our case worker at our placing agency needs to review it also.  It would be great if no changes need to be made, we need to get this show on the road! It won't be long now and all this paperwork will be out of my hands and then we wait……

Yesterday we were informed that our little guy will be getting a medical check-up soon and they wanted to know if we had any specific questions to ask or tests done.  I had no idea what to ask because I didn't expect to have the opportunity to get any medical information besides what is already in his file.  I'm not sure how I feel about it though,  he does have some delays but it is not known if his delays are a result of his blindness or other issues.  Either way, he is our son and we'll figure it out.  After asking for suggestions and doing some research I came up with a few requests/questions. We'll wait and see. Im grateful he's in a good place and getting medical care.

In a recent update we were told that little guy was walking while pushing a toy or holding an adult's hand

I want to hold that little hand

To quote TobyMac's song " It's Way Beyond Me"- I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-4-gabe/341337