Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Now About the Adoption

It's funny that my writing and the adoption process seem to be so closely linked in my mind. They have absolutely nothing to do with each other except for one thing - they're both a lot of work!

We've completed the paper work that's involved with the home study, had a health inspector and fire marshal visit our home, been to the vet to make sure our cats were updated on all their vaccinations, been to animal control to pick up licenses for the cats. Rodney and I have been fingerprinted, had our motor vehicle records scrutinized, filled out financial statement (twice!), purchased and turned in copies of our marriage license and birth certificates for every member of the family (not cheap!). Filled out multi-question self-studies, family history reports for each of us, home safety check-lists. Each of the kids visited the doctor for Hep A vaccines and boosters on their chicken pox vaccination. Rodney and I both have appointments to get physicals which mostly involve drug screening, HIV tests, a tetanus shot and a Hep A vaccination (Hepatitis A is a problem in China).

And this is all before we have our individual meetings with our social worker.

Needless to say, I'm beginning to wonder if there is an end in sight.

Of course, this is how I always feel when I'm writing a book. Will I ever finish? Will there ever be a completed project? What will the end results be? The unknown is a scary but necessary evil in life. We have no choice but to step forward in faith when we feel that God is calling us to do something. Doing so is often uncomfortable, pulling us into unfamiliar territory and forcing us out of our comfort zone. It's there that we grow, becoming stronger as our faith sustains us and carries us through.

Don't let fear keep you from moving toward your goal and dreams. Whatever they may be!

5 comments:

Mindy Obenhaus said...

You have no idea how the enemy has tried to hold me in his slimey grip lately. He's kept me from writing, he has. Enter Beth Moore's Bible study "Believing God." Well, that set me straight toot sweet. If I believe God has called me to write, then who is Satan to tell me otherwise?

Sabrina L. Fox said...

I don't think I struggle with fear as much as just letting life drain me of my time. I have to learn how to manage my time better. Just like your book in a month challenge. It can be done...but do I have the drive and determination to make it happen? However, if I had a deadline and an editor waiting on me...yeah, I might have some fear. LOL.

I listen to all you have to do for the adoption and I can't imagine how stressed I'd be. You seem to have a very calm personality.

Shirlee McCoy said...

Mindy, Satan likes to play mind games with us, but in the end he has no power over us. Through Christ we are able to accomplish all He wills and desires for our lives. When I'm struggling, I remind myself of that.

Sabrina...fear comes in all different varieties. My fear is that I won't be able to produce another book that people want to read!

As for having a calm personality....most of the time. Some days, though, are much tougher to keep calm through than others.

Danica Favorite said...

The things I did not know about you... how cool about the adoption!!

Shirlee McCoy said...

Yes, Dream. I'm full of surprises. :-)

Have you been making cherry cupcakes again?