Peace In Change..

It has been almost 5 months since we were officially put on the waiting list for the Philippines (15  months since beginning the process).  Those 5 months have been busy and yet long ones.  They have allowed us to take a step back from the paperwork and process and do alot of thinking about the future and our little one that God has out there for us.  There has been some concern, frustration, and uncertainty with the wait.  We were recently told that it would be AT LEAST another 3 years before we would get our referral.  In that three years we would have to redo our paperwork at least once, most likely twice and the excitement was waning.  We've had many questions and felt weighed down.  I don't want to complain about the process of international adoption.  We came into this knowing full well that the only guarantee with this venture is that there would be a long wait.  We thought we were prepared for it but once we took a deep breath and thought about it, we were feeling like we weren't comfortable with the wait afterall and with certain aspects of the international process in general.  We have such a love for international orphans but started thinking maybe adopting internationally isn't the right direction for us.

During lunch last week, David brought up the idea of meeting with the social worker and exploring other options for adopting.  Yes, it was David's idea ;)  But I was definitely willing to explore other options just to see if we felt affirmed in our decision still.  On Monday we met with our BCS social worker and she was well prepared with information on the China Waiting Child program and Domestic Infant Program.  I always thought we were meant to go international, but after talking with her and praying about it we woke up the next morning feeling at peace with a new twist in our journey.  We had decided to switch from International adoption from the Philippines to Domestic Infant Adoption!

We did it!  We are adopting a baby  and we couldn't be happier.  We've described it as a weight has been lifted or we've come out from a cloud of uncertainty.  We know there are no guarantees with Domestic Infant.  It brings a whole new set of challenges, but we feel better equipped for what lies ahead this way.  Even as I write this I am just all kinds of happy inside.  We have talked about it with the boys and they support the decision (although not excited about changing diapers ;)  Luke is looking forward to babysitting.

It is crazy, the comfort and peace that overcomes when you follow God's will and with the amount of peace we've had this week and support/excitement from family and friends we just know that this is God's will for us as we seek to grow our family.  We have so much love to give and can't wait until we can share it with this baby.  This verse came to mind this week after we made the official switch and had been praying for discernement.  Love it!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

I will keep you all updated via this blog as we move along through the process.  It sounds as if things will be moving a bit more quickly from here on out.  Stay tuned.....