Monday, March 16, 2009

Marching, Marching....

Thanks to Mare for these pictures of the kids marching around on the patio. This was the last morning and we were waiting for the trucks to arrive to take the kids back to the orphanage and take us back to the airport. It's a surreal experience - waiting for the dream to end and wondering when all of this will be over for real and you'll be able to take them home instead of just playing house at a hotel for a few days at a time.

At church today, someone asked if we'd had any update on our papers. Now this woman actually created her own family through adoption. She had not one, not two but SEVEN placements fall through in the process of getting the two children she adopted. Her children are grown now, but she's one of the few people who actually knows how hard this process can be and who knows what it feels like when you get your hopes up then dashed and you have to start over again and again.

I explained that our papers hadn't moved since November and that we probably had another year until we get to bring them home. It used to be that Haitian adoptions took 12-18 months. The kids that have been coming home the last few months were in the process for 2.5 years on average (based on my own checking - that's not anything published or "official"). She looked at me and said, "you know I think all of this is part of Satan's plan to overthrow the family. If things can drag out for an unknown length of time for "political" reasons than more people will be discouraged about adopting and they'll be less likely to do it. Think about how much frustration and discouragement that must bring to the adoption process".

I'd never really thought about it that way before. She's right though... few things have made me want to give up like this adoption process has. THOSE feelings certainly aren't consistent with the peaceful, strong, building feelings that I'm used to with things from God. I know families are ordained by God. This process, however - that's all the work of men. Someday, we'll get through the "politics" and onto the building of forever families.

Until then... we keep marching!


7 comments:

Pete and Mare said...

Yes, being involved with LDSFA and FSA over the past decade I have seen and heard this many times. I have allowed myself to get discouraged a time or two. Just like everything but especially involving the family there really are two forces at work here. When I started this process I told myself any time it took was "their mission" but now we pray for softened hearts and that everyone's papers will move along immediately. Keep the faith and never stop praying for His will for our children and for our families. Blessings~ mare

Maggie said...

When we can keep that perspective, we will know when we should keep fighting, and when we need to let go.
These babies need you, and we all need them. This is a time we keep fighting and praying...and marching.

Teri said...

I've never thought about the adoption process in that way before. I'm sorry it is taking so long for this process to be completed. We're all praying and marching with you.

Perla said...

onward you little christian soldiers! you've got the "cross of jesus going on before" you and you will conquer.

Tracy said...

That's so right, we need to keep fighting as hard as it is...we won't give up! Your kids are adorable. Hang in there...we are trying to as well, and it stinks.

Meltmomma said...

That's right! There are two separate forces at work.One that would love for us to give up and walk away and one that pulls us up by our boot straps hugs us and keeps us moving forward.When the going gets tough , the tough get going:)
Bambi

Anonymous said...

Almost made me cry. (I would never admit to it!) Just hang in there. We're thinking of you, and Jessi, and Nathan.

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