We truly thought our family was complete. It seems that in the last 10 months. We have felt every emotion under the sun! But the light is shining brighter and there are a glimpses each day of a normalacy that is beginning to embrace our family. And with that normalacy comes less survival and more dreaming about what life will look like for us as we move forward in this life.
So we begin our next adoption story...!!!
First thing I want to share is that we love our newest boys dearly. Each day it seems we are learning more and more about them and it is only by God's grace that they appear to be adjusting amazingly well. Life in a large family comes with its own set of challenges and not everyday do I remember to do something with each of them one on one (and I try not to feel guilty about it:). But each night we say prayers, we hug and kiss and we say goodnight and I love you. And even though some days are incredibly tough, I pray that they know that they are loved by us and by their Saviour. I share this because I don't think we would even be at a point to consider an eighth child if it weren't for how well they are doing. We know the road could be long & winding with all of our children and I pray regularly that God will direct our steps as parents- to give us patience, courage, compassion, wisdom and love (and probably a million more things too!)
Back a few months ago, we brought up the idea to each other of adopting again. Half jokingly (half not) we talked about how we had already made the jump. A 15 passenger van, a house that fits all of us, being that family that is already big etc. Another child would not be a huge jump and all of our kids at home, believe it or not, had been asking if we were going to bring another child into our family. So we earnestly started praying about it. And we came to the conclusion that we would step into the waters of domestic adoption.
This was a new process for us. We began meetings with a social worker in the summer and began compiling our paperwork to begin this process. From our previous experiences, the paperwork was night and day from international adoption. In a week we were practically done it all. Still just waiting on a couple of things to come back. We were feeling confident in our decision and decided to tell our kids that we were starting the adoption process again. They were excited but fairly quiet as we gave them cautious instructions not to tell a soul. This is a very hard task for children ages 5-11 but they succeeded! So we began the waiting...
I sometimes think God prepares us for something by letting us wade in slowly...but allowing us to wrap our heads around the idea and then.....launches us even further.
In early September, I started back to work. I love what I do and am truly glad to be back. I started a new job that I had transferred to during parental leave. Back to what I love in paediatric physical therapy:) The first week was busy - learning new procedures, reading charts of my clients, getting my computer systems back up and running.
And it was in the middle of this week that both Riley and I, as we prayed for our future child, came to the same conclusion. Compliments of the Holy Spirit:) We were to pursue another international adoption...we both had to let that process and sink in! Nothing about it makes sense. Most noticeably the costs of an international adoption are substantially more. The paperwork is more. The process is more. And in all honesty, the support once they are home is much less. It still seems a bit (just a bit) crazy!
But as we have learned through our last 20 years together...when He calls you...listen. So we are. And trusting hard. Less than a year ago our boys came home. It doesn't make sense and yet it does. Completely. So at present-to clarify- we have 2 processes underway (domestic and international) and we pray every night for our precious eighth child as we begin this adventure.
The peace that passes all understanding is with us these days. And we are excited to be on this journey once again. Friends...in advance we thank you for your prayers, your friendships, your wisdom and your encouragement.
And for all of this we are incredibly thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving - a beautiful first Canadian thanksgiving for our three newest (who LOVE turkey) and and a great one at home for the rest of us!
Blessings,
Candra (& Riley)
