Surprises!

I think it is fair to say we have had some challenges in this whole process. However, we prefer to call them surprises!  At least with surprises, there is a possibility that they might be positive things.

One of the most surprising things to us is the people in our lives, both old and new.

We were very surprised to receive some prickly reactions to our news of our adoption plans from folks who were very close to us, even devout Christians! We continue to pray for those relationships, that they not be strained and that those folks can love our new child just as they love our current children.

Most of all, I have been so surprised by how close this process draws you to such a vast array of people.

We have seen our relationships with several of our old friends grow deeper and stronger.  Women that I always thought were pretty cool have opened up and shared their unorthodox journeys to motherhood with me.  They were some of the first folks with whom we shared the sad surprise about E being adopted by another family and to see their outpouring of sympathy, prayers and cupcakes for us was truly heartwarming, as many had been there before in their own ways.  I am so grateful that before we leave PA, we are having the chance to forge these deeper bonds that will withstand a 5 state move!

Also surprising has been the amazing families we have met who are also in the process of adopting from Eastern Europe.  These families are from all over the country, some with no kids of their own, some with many, many kids of their own.  Some families are Christian, some are not.  But regardless of how we all differ, we all share broken hearts for these kiddos and are passionate about doing our share to help as much as we can.  We have supported fundraisers, donated items to others' auctions, answered and asked three bajillion questions about the process and country.  Though we may never meet these families in person, their support through the process is incredible and we are inspired every day by their stories!

One particular couple includes one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen outside of the airbrushed models and actresses of Hollywood.  They are choosing to forgo our society's standard model of get married, buy a house, and have a baby and instead have chosen to adopt a 12 year old boy to start their family.  They know there is lots of time for babies, but not too much time left for their J.  How cool is that!?!? I can only imagine how weird some of their other newlywed friends must think they are, but they simply recognize it as a good thing to do.  How inspiring!

Another family with the demands of full time jobs, 18 month old twins and all of life's other stresses has made it their mission to learn just about EVERYTHING about the adoption process and the agency many of us are using all in the hopes of sharing it with others.  She spends countless hours answering questions for everyone and is the official go-to woman of our group.  She has calmed, informed and inspired just about everyone in our little community, all of this while trying to juggle her family and FOUR trips to Eastern Europe to finally welcome her daughter!  After a conversation with her, I feel like I can do anything!

There are also 2 families that are adopting in our region. One has brought their son home and the other is preparing for court to fight for their daughter.  They have been constant support, guidance and shared excitement.  They are amazing prayer warriors and it is their goal to support those adopting from our region. Oh how we would all celebrate to see that orphanage cleared out! Their faith and love of God is truly awesome and we hope we can possess just a fraction of that faith.

We went into this process looking to add a child to our family.

We will leave this process with a whole lot more!

Thanks, God for your surprises!