Tomorrow He Turns Seven

Tomorrow, October 10, 2012, A turns seven. I know thousands of prospective adoptive parents have experienced this. Today we join them, and it is strange. I've always been a very fluid birthday person, celebrating on the exact day not necessary. I get this honest. Take the birthday when the hurricane passed by: eh, let's stick a candle in a bagel & try again on a different day. But for A, we won't even celebrate this year, never mind the first six.

We accept this part of the process and give thanks, because every year, there has been someone in his life who has tried their best to care for him. Every year, God has seen and known who would be with A as he grew. While I'm eager for him to join our family, I do not rejoice that this is possibly A's last year turning a year older in his beautiful birth country. Though we've not yet visited, we love Ethiopia and respect the culture and heritage God has granted our son. He may even choose for David to celebrate his 40th there. Could you make that surprise party?

More than throwing a birthday bash here, I look forward to meeting our little guy, kicking around the soccer ball, and sharing some injera and macaroni (his favorite foods). Forgive me for twisting the dagger a little more; this was not planned, but while I'm on the subject of Ethiopia, orphans and birthdays, I cannot pass up the opportunity to ask you to pray for a girl who is waiting for a family. Her name I can't share, but please pray for her to be chosen before she turns 16 this spring and passes the age allowed for adoption. On that day, her exact birth date will matter.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:22-27