Tian Update and Waiting Well

We got a short, but sweet update on Tian today, along with a photo.   The report was dated January 10, but we aren't completely sure when this photo was taken.  It seems fairly recent.  He's 19 months now. At the time of the report, he was 17 months and 20 lbs.
We learned that he still drinks from a bottle and enjoys using it as a pacifier when it's empty.  The foster mom and nannies also stated that he doesn't like sharing his toys. He hits and pushes when other kids take his toys.  They also said he's a happy boy who is always in a good mood.  Well, obviously not if people mess with his stuff.  The Brownies will teach him to share!

These updates are bittersweet.  I cherish every new photo we get and any new bit of information about the boys' personalities, likes, dislikes, or habits.  At the same time, they make my heart ache to hold the boys and see all these things for myself.

Our agency sent us some tips from parents who have been there, done that.  The advice I took away was this: Enjoy the now.  Don't waste your hours and days worrying over the timeline. Use this time of waiting to prepare: your house, your family schedule, your friends and relatives.  Use this time to relax, because it's going to be a while before you get to have quiet moments alone.  Appreciate them now.

This Lincoln Brewster song is my mantra many days:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

My charge over the next few months is to wait well.  I'm going to spend extra time alone with Ken, with the Brownies, and work on getting into a good family routine.  Instead of complaining about the time, I'll realize God gave me this time for a purpose and USE it!

Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
 He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40 - The Bible

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Sweet boy! I'm impatient, and I'm not even the mommy...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Megan Dale LeeFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I think this is good advice in every situation. Much of my life has been an exercise in patience...and preparing for another big step. Remembering to stop and enjoy what we've got before that big change (no matter how good) comes is sometimes hard.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Colette HambrickFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Sarah, you hit the nail on the head!! I used to wonder why pregnancies were 9 months long (or "9 long months", as we used to say it). When I finally asked the Lord why He created us that way, His answer was clear: preparation time! It was His GRACE that gave us time to prepare for the baby; not His lack of grace that made us WAIT (Ugh!). Once I understood that He had a purpose and that HE was in control, pregnancy became a joyful time of anticipation. I learned to spend extra time with the LORD before each baby arrived, while I had the chance! I am SO glad to read your posts and follow your journey, and hear about what the Lord is teaching you. Precious!

    ReplyDelete
  4. HannahFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Sweet little boy!! I can't wait until we get him!

    ReplyDelete

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