Application submitted!

On Wednesday we sent our application in to officially begin the adoption of our child from Colombia. Although we hadn't been working on it long, I had expected more "fanfare" when I finally took it to the post office. However, I was starting to get a cold, Jon was driving me around, and truthfully, I just wanted to get it in the mail and get back to my bed. Is that horrible?

I've decided, I don't think so. I think it just reiterates that even though we're starting an adoption, we're still living our day-to-day lives and sometimes that life is boring. Now that I'm on the upside of this three-day cold, I find myself thinking about that application...has it arrived in St. Louis? Will they email me right away to say they got it? Or will it be two weeks before I hear from them? I had hoped to pray every step into the post office that day, but honestly it didn't happen. I've prayed leading up to that day, and now that I'm back amongst the living, I'm praying fervently that I'll get an email even as I write this blog. I just want to know that it's there and that we're officially started. I'm praying that the letter they required from my doctor regarding my cancer would be sufficient and that because it was 16 years ago, it won't hinder our ability to bring another child into our family.

All this to say: Step 1: Completed...now onto the other 4 million steps :).

Adoption Lesson 1: Humility...

In all my excitement about starting this amazing journey, I've posted on Facebook, started the blog, searched Lonelyplanet.com to learn more about the country, and told many friends and family about our good news...never occurred to me to check my spelling :(.

Only after sending a mass email to the four families in Missouri who have used our agency in Colombia did I learn this lesson: humility. The first mother emailed me back and said she'd love to talk with us and "...p.s. Colombia has two Os :D." DUHHH...I've been spelling it like Columbia, Missouri! On top of that, this blog had it spelled wrong in four different places.

It probably wouldn't be that big of a deal, but for those of you who know I'm a former newspaper reporter, technical writer, communications major, and newsletter editor...I should know better to check my facts!

Oh well, I'm sure this is the first of many lessons and probably the first of many on humility that I'll experience along the way. For now, it's given me a renewed desire to learn all I can about this country and their people where my Forever Child is or will be born.

A Step of Faith...

Today marks a big step in our family: We completed our initial adoption paperwork and are beginning the process of finding our forever child in Colombia. We anticipate a 3 year wait, but are excited about each step ahead...even the paperwork and waiting. I believe that the best things come to those who wait and know that in our waiting we'll need to rely on the Lord for patience. We invite you to walk along side us through this journey.