Top 10 on waiting...

I thought this was funny...I actually love libraries and librarians (well nice ones who are helpful and love kids)...This made me think I need to do a top 10 list on waiting...that's all we really know about these days (I mean these last 6 months)...so here are a few lessons learned about waiting...

1. I hate waiting. I hate traffic even if I'm not in a rush, I hate long lines, I hate slow service...hate is strong word...but I really do hate waiting:)

2. From my son...who had to wait until he was 6 to watch Star Wars. (We have purposely made our kids wait for things...some for good reasons (like maturity needed for certain movies or activities), sometimes just to learn how to wait and not satisfy every immediate desire.) Lesson learned from him...his joy was so sweet watching this movie, so much sweeter because of the wait!

3. Waiting was the easiest and most exciting during months 3-5...we had hope that it would be any day. That we were in some magic window of referrals. Waiting is not quite as easy or exciting at month 6. Now I'm sometimes thinking it will never happen??? So not quite as exciting..even the kids have lost their excitement...the wind is out of their sails. I have no doubt that the wind will be back with full excitement when we finally get some news:)

4. Being a faithful blog friend was easier at months 3-5...Now I am not as frequent or faithfully checking in...we have been sick and busy...but honestly it is sometimes hard to do so. I love all you the same....and am thankful for YOUR faithfulness!

5. Over the last few weeks I have thought a lot about waiting...as we approached celebrating Easter. I thought a lot about the Jewish nation waiting for the promise of a savior to be fulfilled. As they waited for the fulfillment of words they knew so well in Isaiah...I wondered...were they living life fully while they were waiting? As some faithful followers saw the fulfillment in the flesh of Jesus crucified, dead, buried...as they mourned the loss of their Friend and King...as they waited for what to do next...how did they deal with the pain in their hearts? I am encouraged by their stories and I am thankful that I am not waiting for Christ to come and rescue me... And I think about those still waiting for something or someone to rescue them...and I am thankful for the Lord's patience with us all...The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pet 3:9

6. Fridays are the hardest days to wait...end of another week. I have learned to pray a lot heading into Fridays and to plan some fun things with the kids.

7. I honestly did not think we would be waiting this long for news on our kids...but I do have a strange peace...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8. I do still believe in Isaiah 40:31...Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

9. My wait is not the hardest....I do believe that the wait is sooooo much harder for the 143 million orphans in the world that are waiting for families. I have my family and soooo much more. I do believe that the wait is so much harder for our next 2 (or 3) children than it is for their Mommy...so I hold onto the truth of the above verse for them!

10. I am so thankful for the friends that have waited before me that I have learned from their stories and experiences. Too many to name....here are a few....Emily, Lori, Renee, Amanda...and sooo many more.....I am so encouraged by you all. If you feel lead...let us all know in a post of your own of some of your lessons in waiting....