On October 15, we received this email:
On October 2, our dossier made its way to China. Our social worker wrote and said, “It typically takes 3-4 weeks to be logged in. There is a holiday until October 7th which means the CCCWA is closed until then so it could take a little longer to be logged in.”
However, 13 days later on October 15, we received the following news from our social worker about our LID (Log in Date), “I am so excited that you are officially logged in! This means that we can now look into matching. I know your family is open to as young as possible, minor needs, and a little girl.”
As we spoke with her on the phone, she assured us that it could take 3-6 months to receive a referral. She also said, “I would expect yours to be on the later end since we are looking for young and minor needs.”
We asked, “Is there anything we need to be doing right now?” She said, “No, relax. You are finished for some time.”
So we are settling into the wait for a referral.
The disciples were told how to wait in John 14. Jesus has predicted his death in John 13, predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial in John 14. In that discouraging moment, Jesus then comforts his disciples and encourages them in their wait for Jesus to return.
During my seeking God to see if we were to adopt, I chose to do a speed reading of the Gospel of John in one sitting. I chose John because I could not in my mind at that moment remember one reference to adoption in that Gospel. I wanted God to speak to me through the whole counsel of His word and not simply choose a book/passage that I knew talked about adoption.
At one point, two-thirds of the way through the Gospel I read John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” I paused and looked up and said, “Lord, I will do anything you want me to do. I just need you to show me if we are to pursue adoption. I ask for wisdom in your name.” I then looked down to continue reading, but my eyes instantly fell upon John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
My heart leapt at God’s intimacy and timing with my prayer and His word. My eyes landed on this tiny hidden verse tucked into chapter 14.
As I go back and re-read John 14, I realize Jesus taught the disciples how to wait for his return, “Trust in God, trust also in me.”
As we wait for a referral, we find ourselves trusting in God’s timing and trusting in God for the referral. My heart echoes Jesus’ words for my daughter, “Sweet daughter, whenever I know who you are, I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.”
Until I know though, I wait.
