Waiting

My soul, wait silently for God alone, 
for my expectation is from Him.  ~Psalm 62:5

I know that in the vast array of adoption stories, ours has moved quickly and predictably. Indeed, even more quickly than we had expected. So truly, I am grateful and I do not take this for granted.

But just the same, for the past four months I have had to endure an ocean between myself and this tiny baby who is meant to be mine. She is well cared for but the workers simply do not have the time needed to feed a cleft lip/palate baby who drinks slowly. At 8 months old, she weighs 11 pounds, and she is likely still hungry when the nanny must put her down and feed the next child. When I think of my baby daughter, fighting to thrive, yet going hungry, tears instantly spring to my eyes. She is also having hearing problems (a very common problem with cleft babies because of fluid build up) and likely needs tubes put in her ears. China does not do this procedure, so she must wait. And of course, she still needs surgery on her cleft palate as well.

Yet all of these physical concerns pale next to the most pressing reason Rosalie needs to be here with me: God created mothers uniquely to love and care for their children in a way that no other person can. There is simply no replacement. Indeed, God himself, the infinitely tender and compassionate comforter, compares the comfort He offers us with that a mother gives:

"As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you."     

~Isaiah 66:13  



Can there be higher praise or greater validation of a mother's value and worth?

Joyfully I can say we are getting closer!  We will either travel Feb 14th or Feb 28th. We are waiting on two separate documents/approvals and the deadline for making the Feb 14th travel date is fast approaching. I am praying fervently that we will make it! And while it appears we are waiting on the Chinese government, I hold that it is ultimately the Lord we are waiting on. I do have a sense of peace that God's timing will prevail, but still, my heart will be restless until I hold Rosalie Faith in my arms.