Anticipation

With the snow on the ground and stray mittens making their way throughout our home it was hard to wait until December to decorate for Christmas. So, our tree is up, although yet to be adorned with ornaments, our garlands strung, and wreaths hanging. Truth be told J and I did a little dancing to some Christmas classics today. How fun to be the one to teach him "Frosty" and "Jingle Bells. Although at this point he just mostly likes whirling around the house rather than singing with his Mama.

It is truly that time of year. Once again I find myself desperately seeking a way to make it more than the hustle of Christmas gift buying, the stress of entertaining on a level worthy of a "pin". Instead of stress, to have excitement build in anticipation of Jesus' birthday. Perhaps more than anything to help my child to find true meaning in the season. To draw him into gratitude for the gifts we have already received rather than being distracted by all the gifts he desires to receive.....if I am really honest with myself I desire the same attitude.

This week has not only brought out the Christmas decorations but the expansion of two families from Saskatchewan through adoption in South Africa. What a privilege it has been to read their stories and see the pictures of their beautiful families. It stirs within my heart the anticipation and excitement of the day when it will be our blog posts showing our new babe. What a wonderful day that will be. And yet, perhaps my desire in regards to our adoption is not unlike my desire for the Christmas Season. That I might not be so caught up in the gifts I hope for or anticipate receiving that I fail to see the incredible gifts I have already received. Too busy in preparations that I fail to enter into the moment.

For someone who likes to plan and do, the waiting process of adoption is challenging, but as my husband reminds me often, "It will happen at the perfect time." Thankful today that I can trust that God is orchestrating the creation of our family. Preparing both us and our little man or lady for each other. Until we meet might I recognize each day the incredible blessings I already have.

The Unexpected.....sort of...

 

Today the snow falls gently outside covering our little world. The air is cold. The roads are icy. It is winter. Being mid-November this should not come as a surprise in the prairies. Our warm fall days extended far this year offering an extra bit of grace before winter settled in. Despite my ample warning and past experience with winter it seems to catch me off guard every year. Yes, the Christmas lights went up before the frost and the snow shovels were dug out, but our car still dons the tires that prefer sunshine and I cleared the windshield with a library card. I wasn't ready for this. As I slipped and slided downtown this morning I was drawn to grumbling. Why winter? Why again?  I just didn't expect this this morning. I don't want to have to layer up as if I am intending to trek for days in the tundra to merely get groceries. Grumbling. Discontent at the "unexpected".

Graciously God has given me a three year old that often sheds perspective on my life in wonderful and sometimes convicting ways. With great joy J informed me that snow had fallen. Could we go and play outside? Was the hockey rink ready in the backyard? Is this the snow we can make a snowman with? Wonder. Joy at the "unexpected".

In many ways this season of life is "unexpected". Not just the snow outside but the challenge of growing a family, the challenge that is church and community, the challenges of beginning of a new career. Unexpected......sort of. Yet, the Bible is clear about our lives. That they are not intended to be perfect. They are not intended to be without challenge. When we face these challenges head on.....with Joy.....our character is being molded into that which God desires for us. Like the snow, which I should have expected. I feel caught off guard. To find joy in the "unexpected" journey. To trust and anticipate what God has in store for me....for our family. I thank Him that it is becoming easier to embrace the journey that I hadn't planned. To trust that this is the journey He planned even if I can't see how it is infinately better for me in the end.  God has been gracious in revealing to us the joys of adopting in the midst of this journey. In leading us down this perhaps "unexpected" path we have been blessed with new relationships and incredible excitement for the son or daughter that is waiting for us in Africa. Without this challenge we wouldn't know the same joy or blessing of this journey. The "unexpected" one.

 On this snowy afternoon, we bundled up as a family, found a snowy hill and enjoyed the ride. Oh that I might learn to enjoy the ride every day. Snow or sunshine. Expected or unexpected.