Exercise in Expectancy & The One Year Mark

After spending the day with our moms on Sunday, I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon doing what I do best, time consuming DIY projects.  I have been thinking about what to put above the crib for weeks now.  The focal point of the room.  The area I will stare at from the rocking chair for hours on end someday.  I wanted it to be a statement. 

I considered our child's name, but not knowing what we we name the baby, or the gender, that was out.  Especially because I wanted to do this project before the baby comes home.  I thought about quotes like "Such a big miracle in such a small baby," and or a Bible verse like "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Nothing was really thrilling me though.

Then Joan came to visit last week.  She came bearing gifts (that fabulous crib mobile you will see in just a minute), and brilliant ideas.  She turned me onto another adoption blog which had 1 Samuel 1:27 above the crib.  I loved it.  I mean LOVED it.

Enter my lovely Cricut, Sure Cuts A Lot, some inexpensive vinyl, and behold my $3 creation:

This was my first big vinyl project, so there are definitely things I would do differently next time.  But it does the job for now.  The little secret that makes me feel really happy is the font I used for "child, prayer, and Lord," is called Segeo Script, and is the same font used in our adoption profile.

Anyway, as I was putting the letters up (which took a painstakingly long time), I couldn't help but feel like I was putting the cart before the horse with this quote.  For our child yes, I have prayed, but no, the Lord has not yet granted my desire. 

And that my friends is the moment I truly felt like I was an "expecting mom" for the first time. 

It has been one year since we began this process.  I have made my desires known, and I know my prayers will not go unanswered.  They have not been answered yet in the ways that I have expected, but I know that I am a better person for going through this journey, I am closer to my husband, and I am learning more about my Father.  Those are all good things!

A few weeks ago I stumbled onto the blog of another waiting family, and I read this, which has really stuck with me:

Waiting in expectancy means that you TRUST your Father.

Waiting with expectations means that you have DEMANDS on Him.

Oh, that my expecting may be backed by TRUST and FAITH!

DIY Day - A Soft Place To Land