Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (NASB).

Both of these verses are my continual companions these days. As I write this, we are in our third month of waiting for signing of the consent that will allow our adoption of two precious siblings to proceed.

Since the beginning of November, we have called our new son and daughter each week. Until the paperwork is signed, the kids only know us as “friends” of their foster parents. We have formed such a tremendous bond with them and love them so very much already. We’ve never met them face-to-face, yet the love is so incredibly strong! It’s what Abby describes in her March 7th post, “Can You Really Love an Adopted Child as Your Own?”

I both eagerly await and dread each call. I love them so much, I can’t wait to talk to them and find out how the week went. But after hanging up, I long for them to be here to hold and to hear the words in person.

Last week, our daughter said she was going to write us an “I love you” letter. So, each day, we haunt the window waiting for the mail carrier to arrive with the day’s mail. Each day, I feel the little hollow place in my heart when it doesn’t arrive. The anticipation/dread cycle repeats for yet another day.

I know God’s timing is perfect. I know that there are many things He yet wishes to do before our children arrive. Already, in the span of six months, we have moved to a bigger home, and, though not through the means I would have expected, we got a bigger car (my old car got totaled). I see His hand working still, through all of this, and it is what sustains me as I wait and hope.