Prelude to a New Chapter

Well, at the brink of this new season of our lives, we thought it might work well to return to blogging.

Many of you are familiar with this picture, as it was on our 2008 Christmas card. This is also the picture that we sent in to the adoption agency in March of this year when we applied to become adoptive parents. The adoption agency is here in Japan, but the "head" of the organization is an American named Sarah. It's Japanese acronym is ANK, which translates to "Loving Decisions" in English. We are so thrilled to have been introduced to this group and have begun this journey!

After submitting our application in March, I called Sarah to confirm that she had received all of our information and see if she could give any indication on how long our process would take. Upon passing the screening of our application, the next step would be a home study interview. During this call in March, Sarah sadly projected that it would be "months" before we would be considered for a home study interview, as they only wanted to interview when they have indications that they have a baby/child coming to them that needs adoptive parents. For various reasons, it had been over TWO YEARS since they had had any such babies that matched our hopes coming to them at all. So, we were discouraged to hear this, but simply asked family and friends to pray with us that God would bring our baby in His perfect timing, as well as bless this organization that loves on these dear little ones so that they could help facilitate adoptions for as many children as possible.

Last month, we went to N. America to visit family and attend a close friend's wedding. Jonathan led the decision to, in faith, buy a car seat for our child while we were in the States. At first I (Kendra) was reluctant to appear "foolish" or "over-eager," especially when the projections on timing were so "indefinite." However, I got over myself and agreed, "Why not?!" Jonathan's mom also asked me to pick out yarn and a pattern for a baby afghan that she will knit for the baby. We had a great trip and rich visits with everyone we could squeeze in this time. On the last day we were in the States, packing up to head home, we got an email from our friend in Japan, who has three wonderful children through ANK. She excitedly informed us that the adoption group had been trying to get a hold of us on our Japanese phone while we had been on vacation!! We were ecstatic!

Upon returning home, we scheduled a "home study interview" for as quickly as we could, this past Saturday, July 4th!
While we don't know specific details related to our child, it appears that there is at least one child coming to ANK that might be a good fit for our family! So, we have begun getting some essential baby supplies in order. We have the cradle that Jonathan's maternal grandfather hand made for him when he was a baby, the U.S. car seat that we bought on vacation, and we've now done a Costco Japan and Babies R Us Japan run too. Upon returning home, my enthusiasm morphed into some shock and doubts...."Am I really up for this?!" I thought I had some really good ideas about parenting from my perspective thus-far as a baby sitter for so many years and an aunt to soon-to-be EIGHT precious neices and nephews. However, when faced with the realities of actually caring for our own little one 24-7, 365 days a year, I find my self-confidence plummeting.

Just when I was able to tell people nonchalantly, "Oh yeah, I'm driving in Japan now pretty regularly - once a month or so. It's not really a big deal anymore, I just stick to my routes and the bigger streets, parking spots." I am realizing, "I will have to take our baby to the doctor for check-ups and other things. I will likely have to drive him, as I can't wait for Jonathan to get home from work to do this." So, now, as a mom, I'll be driving and navigating the Japanese health system, all while my precious little one's health is on the line. This is daunting, to say the least.

However, my dear friend just reminded me last week (while helping me to laugh again, even considering the serious responsibilities of motherhood), "God is in charge." After backing into a space at a crowded parking garage for Babies R Us last Thursday, God brought to mind the great children's song, "My God is so BIG, so strong and so mighty; there's NOTHING my God cannot do!"

How much of a GREAT sense of humor does our loving Lord Jesus have!?! How committed is He to us not growing complacent or getting comfortable in our own feelings of human strength!?! How precious that He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, coaching us through our feeble steps of faith that we try to walk. How rich the promises that are ours in Christ, to know that God Almighty is our very own Father, even when we have children of our own. How abundant is the life He has bought for us by dying at Calvary and raising to life again! So, while I told you my self-confidence is dying, my Christ-confidence is starting to soar to new heights! Thank you for your prayers that this will continue for both of us. We look forward to sharing with you the amazing ways God will carry us and show His glory along the journey!