Serendipity

Today, we put together a letter of update about our adoption (something similar to what you have possibly read here) to send out to 150 of our closest friends and family. While we were adhering labels, stuffing pictures and licking envelopes (ick!), the kids and The Boss and I were chatting and praying for Aidan. Getting this project done helped us all feel one step closer to welcoming her home, if only in our hearts and minds. It was a tangible statement of faith that this WILL happen. She will become a little Gang member! In our hearts, though we don't even know who she is yet, she already is.

I've seen this list, or any number of versions of this list, around the blog-o-sphere several times. In the past, every time I read it, I'd get a little tickle in my heart. Like a "that's gonna be me, hopefully soon" kind of tickle. A little catch in my throat. I found it again today, just after we finalized the letter project. It was like a little serendipity from My Father, nodding and smiling, whispering in my heart, "Yes, my daughter. Aidan will be yours soon enough."

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .

1. The fact that there are 143 million children in the world without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.

7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 + years!).

8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.

9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!

13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.