Waiting waiting waiting...

Today I got an email from my case worker that said lately families are waiting about 6 months for a referal for a baby girl. So based on that information, it's looking like it may be next spring before we bring home our baby. It's really hard for me to accept that the wait is going to be that long. I was SO hoping to have her by Christmas. I am really trying to stay positive though.
As for our journey. We are about half way to being able to send our dossier! Yay! And we have delivered tons of shirts. For those of you who have requested one and haven't received it, I apologize. We had a mix up with the printing. So they'll be here soon. That's it for now. I'll write again soon. My brain is really scattered today, so next time I'll share more of what God's teaching me and such.

Sam's Birthday

Today is Sam's birthday and so a great day to write a blog. :) I am hoping that this will be Sam's last birthday without Violet. Which by the way I emailed our agency and asked if we could change our request from female preferred to female only. They said that was fine, so we do know now that it's a girl! :) Now if we could just go get her!
Some updates on the fundraising. We have now sold 85 shirts. Praise the LORD! And here is a fun bit of info for you all. Last night we celebrated Sam's birthday with my family. In the card from my brother was a check to purchase 5 more shirts. And he wrote a note saying that in order to raise awareness and encourage support of our adoption he is committing to wear our adoption shirt five days a week for 8 weeks! Isn't that awesome.
I hope you are all doing well. We have about $5500 more to go in the fundraising. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has either donated furniture, sent money, bought a shirt and especially all of those who are praying!

Perspective

It has been a week since we got our shirts and we only have 2 left! Praise the Lord! But don't worry, there is still time to get yours if you haven't done so! I am going to place another order this week, so I will have plenty!
Yesterday I was feeling so discouraged about the distance we have left in the adoption. I was looking ahead at the what we still needed and it seemed so daunting. I have been really anxious lately about the whole adoption. I feel like my baby is laying in a crib in an orphanage in Ethiopia just waiting for me to come get her. I feel a sense of urgency to get to her and take care of her. I realize that it's a bit ridiculous for several reasons. First of all, she is in the hands of my heavenly father and He cares for her more than I ever will. (not to mention I don't know if she's born or not!) Second, I know that God called us to this, He is making the way before us, and He will provide for us in His time...the right time. (at least I know this in my head) The thing is, I pray about it every day, but I don't really give it to the Lord. I never really realized the difference until now. It's amazing the things God has taught me through this whole process.
Today I am looking behind and seeing all that God has done, all that He has provided. It puts the future in better perspective. He has been so faithful and I don't know why I ever doubt. We serve a big God and he cares for his children, even when we don't deserve it.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7