I did not really know much about blogs before we started this adoption journey, and I took a while to navigate my way through them. But now because of my addiction to them, I have to limit my exposure to them. But I also take comfort in knowing that I share my addiction with many others out there:)
A while back I laughed so hard when I read this post on Forensic Blogging. We always were made aware by our agency Gladney that the typical wait of 3-5 months may be longer for us since we are asking for siblings. And since we have this special request, forensic blogging didn't really work for us:) There is one blogger out there that is the master encourager and the most up to date blogger I "know" (hope we all get to meet one day...) Her name is Amy Breedlove and her family received a referral for a beautiful baby boy. To prove my point here...another blogger did a post all about her that is so true.
So here are my confessions.
1. If I want up to date info on any Gladney families, I go to Amy's blog. My blog is nothing in comparison to her organization...in fact, I like it better than Gladney's own blog page.
2. And here is the big confession...I am sad that so many families on her blog list have "passed us up" She has the families labeled "waiting", "referral", etc... We just keep hanging out in "waiting" land...while everyone else seems to pass us up on Amy's adoption ladder. I am so thrilled for all the families of course and all these precious children...but am still a bit sad for us. I want to climb up that ladder!
22 comments:
Natalie,
I've got nothing to say that you haven't already heard. Waiting is really tough....we are familiar with the heart ache that comes with being separated from a child you've never met but love deeply. I know it’s hard and it’s okay to be sad.
Know that Missy & I love you and Beau and dream of the day we get to hug your newest additions.
Also know that it has been such a tremendous blessing for us to get to hang with the Fournets over the past year. We feel very fortunate to call you friends.
"I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely." (Psalm 16:8-9)
- David & Missy
www.theleventhals.com
Natalie,
Thanks for opening your heart to all of us in bloggerland and keeping it real. We are just about to begin the waiting time for a referral......what a time of celebration AND dread! :-) As you know, His timing is always perfect. I'll be praying for you!
Blessings,
Kristy
I posted a comment and then it disappeared. Anyway...what I said was:
I really really want to move you up on the list too!!! I can not wait to click on your blog page and see the picture of your kiddos...that will be a joyous day. Secretly too...I want you to get your referral so that I can meet your babes in person and take pictures for their mommy and daddy (maybe I can even sneak in a video) :)
Amy
I just want you to know that although families may be "passing you up" we will never "pass over" your blog!! I am constantly checking. Thank goodness that you have 2 beautiful kiddos to help you get through this wait! Hang in there.
This post is so funny because it's so true. I had to stop checking blogs for a couple of weeks while we were waiting. It just filled me with such longing...though now I'm learning that the longing I felt then was *nothing* *nada* *zilch* *ZERO* to the longing now. Hang in there, Natalie. Your family is precious. God's got your back, and we all in the blogging world are cheering you on.
Just thought about what I just wrote: don't mean to say that your longing now is *nothing*. I know it can get unbearable, especially when you see others creeping up that ladder ahead of you. Sorry for sounding insensitive.
here it is: loretta_34@hotmail.com
Natalie,
You are so authentic with your thoughts. I think that helps with the wait... and will continue to help once we enter that long wait to actually getting to hold our children. A lady at church told me that waiting is how God refines our character, and our longing for Him. Doesn't mean it's easy though. Ugh. I'm obsessively checking your blog. God, please reveal the newest Fournet children SOON! Please comfort this sweet family as they wait on your timing.
love,
becca
natalie...
we have also requested a sibling pair and have been told we are really on a different waiting list than the "3-5 month waiting list"....i share with you the "unknown" wait time we have before us but be encouraged in this verse:
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come..." Habakkuk 2:3
I have really been struggling with the wait as well and this verse has provided me with joy-filled encouragement in knowing that the Lord has an appointed time to reveal our children to us and that His time is perfect to show His glory!
Many blessings!
Hi Natalie,
I saw you read our blog and just checked yours out. I see you have been waiting just a little longer than us.... Wow, it's hard! I, too, struggle when I see someone "pass us" on the waiting list. I can't imagine doing this without faith in a God who is in control, you know?
Your referral has to be right around the bend...hang in there! I can feel it coming!! :)
Natalie - I'm sorry you are feeling a bit sad about the wait - it can be so difficult! We look forward to the day when you get your referral and travel! Hopefully, we can meet someday - we're in the DFW area as well and have a 6-year-old from Ethiopia and a 11-year-old. Hang in there!
Blessings!
Carol
Sadness is so understandable-what a sweet gift to your children, though---that you long for them and love them even before you see their faces. Praying!!!! Can't wait.
Natalie,
I check your blog every day and have enjoyed reading both yours and Beau's postings. You are in our thoughts. We are praying for a referral VERY soon so that you can see the faces of your little ones. Shelia (Amy's mom/Skopje, Macedonia)
Natalie,
I thought that I already posted a comment here, oh well. The wait is making me lose my brain:)
I know that one day we will look back on these days of waiting and see God's hand so clearly with us, for every aspect and every detail. That certainly doesn't make today any less hard!!
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" Matt 11: 28-30
Praying you experience His peace today! Looking forward to Saturday.
Emily
Natalie, Did you get the gladney e-newsletter? Click on Ethiopia and check out the kids 2-10. Your kiddos have to be in that picture somewhere. I already had one of my boys hack into it and blow it up but the quality is horrible. You cannot see faces. Darn!! Have a great day. Blessings, Pam
Natalie, Did you get the gladney e-newsletter? Click on Ethiopia and check out the kids 2-10. Your kiddos have to be in that picture somewhere. I already had one of my boys hack into it and blow it up but the quality is horrible. You cannot see faces. Darn!! Have a great day. Blessings, Pam
Just stoppin' by to say hello! .... prayin' for you as you wait for God to reveal the rest of your precious family! Blessings, ~Shelly
I continue to pray for your family as you wait on the Lord. Waiting is so hard! Thanks for your honesty in this journey. Recently in some things I have been waiting on, but have not sensed any movement, I have asked God to renew my perspective through Scripture on "waiting". I'm encouraged that we have a God who works for those who wait on Him. I pray for me and for you that we would rest in believing that HIS work/outcome for us is better and more perfect than 1000s of others working on it...even if we can't see or understand it.
"From of old, no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait on him" Isaiah 64:4
Grateful with you in times of feeling impatient and sad to return to a God willing to work for those he created in his unique, competent, and perfect way.
I hope to see you again soon!
Blessings,
Liz Burley
That is so funny! We were forensic bloggers. It seems that it was easier in those days because the list of families on Amy's blog was shorter!! The Frey's were ahead of us so I stalked their blog hourly. When they got their referral I called my husband and I screamed "WE ARE NEXT!!". We had no way of knowing that because of the non-blogging families but it gave me real comfort and proved to be true I guess. We got our referral just a few days later! Were you requesting an older sibling set? We were at the GFC for older kids and got to meet a bunch of them! They are wonderful and amazing. We look forward to starting the journey again in the future! We are watching and waiting for your wonderful news!
Lindsey Clevinger
I understand your blog obsession. We are right there with you!
Dauray
Thinking about you and praying that your time to move up the infamous Breedlove list is SOON!
Blessings,
Laura
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