Wristlet Keychains!

I have been making these fun wristlet keychains to help with adoption expenses!

Some are listed in my Etsy Shop, and others will be listed soon. Or just leave a comment if you are interested in any of the ones pictured.

A Different Kind of Waiting

When I was pregnant with my son, I could hardly wait to meet him! I loved feeling my belly swell and knowing that he was growing and healthy. I loved feeling him move and kick, and knowing that he was nestled in so safe and warm under my heart. Even though I had only seen his shadowy form on the ultrasound photo, I knew he was beautiful. He and I were one, connected, always together. Everything I did, I made sure that he was protected, safe, nourished, loved. I could hardly wait to meet him, hold him in my arms and count each finger and toe and cover him with kisses. Yet, the waiting was good. He needed to grow and be ready for life in the world outside my womb--I didn't want him to come early, but only when the time was right. And we had to get everything ready for him! There was the nursery to paint and decorate. Darling little sleepers to shop for. Parenting books to read. Doctor visits to attend. I waited, but I waited full--he was already with me.

When I was paper-pregnant with my daughter, I could hardly wait to meet her! As she grew in my heart, I was filled with love for her, and anticipation and hope. But my arms and womb were empty. It was a different kind of waiting. I had a small photo of her, and I knew that she was beautiful, but she was growing, and I was missing it. I longed for her--to hold her in my arms, to keep her close, to kiss her little button nose. Was she safe? Were her needs being met? Was there someone to sing her to sleep and hold her if she woke up scared? I was not there to protect her and care for her, to love her. Constantly I had to turn my worry over to trust in Jesus, that she was being cared for. I knew that God's love for her was even greater than mine, and I took comfort in that. The gestation time in an adoption depends largely on government agencies, and processes over which I, as a parent have no control. The timing is uncertain. But through it all, God is at work, He is is control.

Again, I find myself in the midst of a paper pregnancy. I am waiting for my son. I am longing to hold him close, kiss his soft cheeks and tell him how precious he is, how loved he is. I grieve the time I have lost with him, what I have missed in his life. But I know that so much more lies ahead, and I can't wait to be there through it with him--to be his Mama. I pray that God is watching over him, protecting him, providing for all his needs. I pray that he is loved and warm and fed, that he is given the medication that he needs to stay healthy. I am working so hard to do all I can to make the wait as short as possible, but much of that is out of my control. I stay busy caring for his big bother and big sister, his father and his home--all these that he knows nothing about yet. We are all waiting for him. Praying for him. Preparing for him. He is half way across the world, but love for him is growing in my heart. It is a different kind of waiting. It is so incredibly hard, this "empty" waiting. But God is at work, and He is good. I will put my trust in Him, while I am waiting.

***The photo was taken in Hong Kong on our first full day with my sweet daughter.