6 months

Today marks 6 months since we officially started our adoption process. In the past six months, some of the things I have learned are:

• that God specifically calls us to care for orphans; James 1:27.
• how devastating AIDS has been to Ethiopia and the entire continent of Africa.
• where Ethiopia is.
• that you can deeply love a child that you haven't met or even know their name.
• that God provides just what we need when we need it.
• adoption involves a lot of paperwork.
• that there are many amazing families who have adopted and we have loved getting to know them.
• how generous Megan and Emily are.
• how generous many of our friends and family are.
• what a dossier is.
• what an I-600A is.
• where the USCIS office is in Phoenix.
• how to be biometrically fingerprinted.
• that DHL tracking is a great thing.
• that I am not in control.
• that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and Ethiopian coffee is really good.
• never say that you are done having kids, God may yet change your heart.
• that I am a doer. I don't sit and wait well. I'm working on that.
• that Tony has a traffic violation on his police report from over 10 years ago (but mine came back clear, by the way). ;)
• that the volunteer fingerprinter at the downtown Chandler Police station has an adopted Ethiopian grandson.
• that adoption can trigger the same hormones as pregnancy, including nesting and craziness.
• that Megan, Emily, and I don't love Ethiopian food, but Tony does.
• that I love when people read my blog, and I really love when people leave comments. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but it's me just being honest.
• that I love reading other blogs (especially of people who have adopted or are adopting).
• there is nothing better you can do with your life than to follow God wholeheartedly.

I know that there are many more things we have learned, and many more things that we will learn, but it just seamed like I had to mark this milestone in a special way. And, if you are adopting or have adopted, in the comments, feel free to add what you are learning or learned along your journey.