New Challenge

      I am heading to Guatemala this summer! I absolutely fell in love with Togo and would love to keep going every year but it is so hard missing 2 weeks of work. More importantly, my gifts are definitely NOT in the medical field and I feel like the Guatemala trip (a teaching mission) will be a better fit. So, after lots of prayer I have signed up to go on a trip without Justin this year. Not only will I not have Justin by my side for this one, I don't know a single person on the team. Talk about God challenging me! I hate going anywhere without knowing someone and I'm going to Central America?? I can do this(that's what I keep telling myself, anyway)! To be totally honest, I'm not even nervous about it which tells me I am doing what God wants me to do. I'm sure I'll get a little nervous when it gets closer but so far, so good.
      As for the adoption, I go through ups and downs. Justin and I are trying to use this time to pay down debt, travel, and just spend some time together. Yes, I know, we need to enjoy it while we can because when we bring our little one home we won't be able to do that stuff again (if you could hear me say this you would sense the frustration at hearing this sentence over and over and over again). **Venting Warning** What I really want to say to people when they tell me that is, why don't you wait over 5 years for a child and let me know how you would be so excited about waiting?
      We are still praying for God to send us a sign and working every day at putting our human impatience, frustration, hurt, and jealousy (we have officially entered into baby season with all of our friends) in His hands.

Slacker

Ok, so I know I've been a total slacker in that I haven't posted in about 3...maybe 4?...months. Sorry about that. To be honest, I haven't wanted to write anything. Why? Because there is nothing to write. Our adoption process isn't just moving slowly, it's not moving at all. We are still #45. Yep, you read that right, #45. Justin and I have gotten to the point where we hate hearing someone ask "so, how are things going with your adoption?" Don't get me wrong, we LOVE the support and encouragement from all of our family and friends. It's just that everytime someone asks us that, we are reminded that things aren't moving. We are literally begging God for a sign as to what we are supposed to do... is He giving us time to have together? Is He teaching us patience? Is this not the direction He wants us to go?  I need a big blaring sign, please Lord.