What Are We Waiting For?

This has been the title of the last few sermons at our church and it's really got me thinking - often in many different directions.

This adoption process is obviously one of waiting. Waiting for paperwork. Waiting for people to return emails or phone calls. Waiting for news & updates. Waiting for a referral. Every part of the process involves a period of waiting and anticipation. Although the wait has been difficult, it's also been a wait full of excitement and anticipation of what's to come. We know that we will have a beautiful son or daughter and we dream of the times that we'll be able to share as a family.

I guess what's got me thinking is how and what am I waiting for during this season of advent. Christmas is about Christ coming to earth as a baby, growing up to die which allows us to have a relationship with Him and then returning one day to take His followers home. Do I wait with the same excitement & anticipation for these things? As I wait for Christmas day to come am I thinking about the baby that was born in a manger or am I too preoccupied with gift giving, baking, Christmas parties and family gatherings? Don't get me wrong...I think these are good things, but they are not the most important.

I guess what I want is to wait with the same joy, longing and excitement for the celebration of Christ's birth and return to earth as I do with waiting to meet our baby. I'm not sure exactly how that looks like yet, but the wheels in my head are turning. In the same way I don't wait passively for our baby - we get the nursery ready, pick out names and talk about it constantly - I should not be waiting passively for Christ to come back to earth.

I don’t know if all of this will make sense but thanks for reading. I pray that you will anticipate this season with joy and excitement because there is lots to celebrate and even more to look forward to in the days to come.

Come thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in thee

Warning: Impressive Facial Hair Ahead

Last year, when we were driving back from Regina after meeting with Social Services regarding our adoption, we found a tree farm. Neither of us were dressed to go cut down a Christmas tree, but we were so excited about getting the go-ahead to start our home study, we thought "why not?"

It was a great tree and a fun experience, so we decided to do it again this year. This time, with ski pants, toques, mitts, boots and most importantly, great friends we headed out to find our tree. Here are a few pictures of the morning

**(Please ignore Ian's facial hair. It was partly Movember and partly a thing going on with the guys at work...thankfully, it only lasted a day, but we have pictures to last us a lifetime!)

Off to find our tree

Fun in the snow with a great little girl

Posing with our tree

(doesn't the facial hair just make the picture!)

We got it!

I'm not quite as strong

Packed up and ready to go home

On another note, I recently spoke with our agency to clear up some questions I had and was so reassured of their dedication, commitment and care for the families involved in their agency. I felt like I was known, not just a number.

I feel so blessed to be starting our family through adoption. I could not and would not want to have it any other way. I have been stretched, challenged and enriched through this past year and it's been worth every minute. God is good and I continue to marvel at this opportunity that He's given us!

I pray that you are all enjoying this Christmas season and taking time to rest and relish in the beauty of it all!