Adopting Is a Roller Coaster

(image credit: cepolina.com) 

The best metaphor for the adoption process has to be a roller-coaster. There are days when we are flying high, energized, hopeful, expectant, and thoroughly content in the place God has us.  Then there are times when we are just plain low, tempted to sulk or feel sorry for ourselves, all the while knowing we willingly stepped onto the roller coaster the moment we filled out the application to adopt from Ethiopia.  No one forced us to adopt.  It was a calling.

We use that word because we don’t have a better one. There’s this inner compelling, something greater than ourselves, that pulls us into a mound of paperwork, a ton of dollar signs, and sundry unknown risks associated with international, interracial, adoption.

This week has been an abosolute whirlwind, so we are glad it’s winding down.  Late last week we found out that we could be receiving a referral any moment from Haiti (for those who don’t know, a “referral” is a child and his or her file to review).  Haiti is different from Ethiopia because we would end up accepting a referral from Haiti very soon after our daughter/son is born, and then the waiting game begins.  But this was really exciting news!

Then the middle of this past week, we found out the the IBESR in Haiti (Institute of Social Welfare and Research, in English) was delaying accpeting new dossiers until July.  For those who don’t know what a dossier is, it’s the months of gathered paperwork that is sent to the country from which a family is looking to adopt, petitioning the country to legally adopt from there. This news was a bummer.

This morning, however, we went on Daytime, a national television show, and were able to talk about our story, adoption awareness in general, and were even able to sell a couple of our Haitian artisan-made bracelets to hosts Cyndi and Lindsay.  The show’s producer, Deanna, wanted one too but we didn’t bring enough!   Next time, Deanna.    So the week ended up at the top of a roller coaster hill.  Film at 11.

Surely there’s another valley waiting around the corner.  As the husband, I desire to be a rock for my wife, a strong tower she can rely on through this roller coaster process. I want to be sensitive enough to connect with her emotionally, and at the same time, brave enough to confidently face the ups and downs for the both of us.  I want to be wise enough to know that each day is gift prepared by our Maker from eternity past, and we need only to walk in confidence that He knows what He’s up to.

If you’re a praying person, we certainly would appreciate your prayers for strength, discernment, and guidance.  There are many choices to be made in the upcoming days and months, and we aren’t too proud to ask for your help.

- Jeff