Jesus: Of course he gets it!

Well Dec 21,12 was officially one year of waiting. We have now been in the program about 18 months. Sometimes it seems like we are just hanging out there doing what God called us to do but doing it all alone. Most of the time I feel His presence especially when it comes to the adoption. The "Peace that passes understanding" is so real but truthfully sometimes I feel like He called and because He is God we did what He asked but that there is no way He knows what I'm going through.

Not sure if anyone else ever feels this way but as I was thinking about this the past week the Holy Spirit reminded me of just how much Jesus the Son and God the Father know exactly what I am going through. They too have been through the same emotions, in fact He created the emotions that I feel.

I think of the anticipation that I have to see my child. My mind wanders to what my children will do, how will they impact the world?  I can't wait to see them be used by God and it hit me that my heavenly Father anticipated the arrival of His child as well. He wouldn't wait to see His Son be used and change the world. He gets what I'm going through!

 It is rare but we have had some negative comments about the adoption, mostly I don't think people mean to say what they say but they do and while it does not make me doubt what we are doing, fear/anger can creep in. When I hear the worst case scenario's I begin to fear the unknown. Then it hits me that Jesus, while on earth, was slandered against and told He was crazy and even if people didn't mean it they doubted Him. He gets What I'm going through!

I think the one that hit me the most this week was the fact that He will be able to relate to my Child in a way I will never be able to. Jesus knows what it is like to be different. He was sent to a place that He was not from, in essence He was adopted! He gets what my kid will go through!

Obviously, Jesus is the Son of God and God is well God, so comparing them to my situations in life may seem like stretching but I think that when I was feeling out there and alone these past few weeks Jesus just spoke to me and said "Been there and done that" NOT in a condescending way but in a "let Me meet you where your at" kind of way. How sweet that is, how refreshing to my Spirit that the God of the universe gets what I am going through because He too has been through it. He will see this adoption through, He will see my every need through because that is who He is.

I hope this serves as an encouragement to you as we soon begin a New Year. It may seem like you are out there on your own but remember He knows what you are going through!

This past year was an amazing year regardless of the fact we did not get our referral. We are so thankful for Greyson, who started Preschool this year at Byron Center Christian. This has been awesome for our whole family. We celebrated my 28th birthday and Greyson's 4th birthday. Ron has been so busy at work but with good reason. The Cook family transitioned ownership from Ron's Uncle Brad to Ron. He is now an owner of the Funeral Home. They also purchased two new funeral homes in the Dorr and Wayland area. I continue to work 1 1/2 days a week and love it. We have seen God's faithfulness in our extended families and enjoy our friendships with our siblings. We love watching our nieces and nephews grow. Our cousin was married this summer and we all played a role in the wedding. Ron's Grandmother passed away just days ago and while we feel sorrow for his grandpa we rejoice she is whole again after years of battling Alzheimer's. We did add a puppy, Marge, to our family and since we are still in the potty training phase I cant say I'm super thankful for her yet but she is adorable and we do lover her. We are excited to see what God has in store for us in 2013!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and May you have a happy,healthy New Year!!


Here's a few highlights of the past year:

Just an Update

Well it's a busy time of year with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are so mindful of the Lord and his Son that was willing to come down to earth and be our savior. I love Christmas and enjoy shopping, wrapping and preparing etc. But I would be lying if I would say that while I am focused on the True meaning of Christmas...Jesus, the rest of the busyness seems just that this year, busyness! It has not seemed fun as it usually does.

I was hoping that being so busy would make the wait go by faster and before we know it "the call" could come. But it is just not happening, the wait is really getting to me, I'm just so sick of all of the adoption stuff! This Christmas season stands out in our minds especially this year because on Dec 21 we will have been waiting for one year. That is a long time, but it does make us happy because our agency tells us that the wait time for a referral is 12 - 15 months. That means we are nearing the end of our wait!!!

Since we have been waiting a year, we now have to begin updating our dossier. I had to file a petition to get our fingerprints redone, we have to have another home study update done and all our medical information needs to be updated. Just a bunch of busy work. But we will comply and get things in order as soon as possible so everything is set when the time comes.

Unfortunately, we received an email from our agency this week stating that after we receive the referral the wait time to travel to pick up our child has been extended again to 6-9 months. When we started the process 18 months ago the wait to travel was 4 weeks to 3 months. Then a few months ago they told us it was going to be 3 months. Not long after that they told us the wait time was 4-6 months and then of course this week it was extended again! Honestly, this took all the wind out of my sails! It's been a rough week, I've cried and been angry and just plain exhausted with the process. That being said there is nothing we can do except play the game and wait.

On a positive note, I have received medication for my estrogen loss and it has really helped, Greyson is doing well and we are getting a puppy next week (crazy, I know). Ron will soon be celebrating his 30th birthday. So while in one area of our lives, it seems time stands still, other areas move along and change. Above all else God remains faithful to minister His peace to us, His steadfast love is a comfort when we receive bad news. I'm so thankful He was obedient even unto death and came down to this broken world to seek and save the lost. He stays the same and never changes!

We thank all who pray for us and this journey we are on and ask for continued prayer for our family.

Thanks so much!