As a family we say grace at meal time, we pray together with Madilyn every night, and then I have my silent prayers. However, for months, I have been praying to God (more frequently, longer prayers) that everything would come together for us as a family. God did it and answered my prayers because in the last few weeks my life has become one hot holy mess.
One day after the next I’ve questioned the road we have taken. Scot has had more than enough road blocks with his career and it’s been no fault of his own. In those moments you think “WHY?!” For years we have asked “WHY?” Finally he decided to go back to school after being unemployed for almost 2 years. You add that to the fact that we found out we couldn’t adopt through Gladney again. We had to start all over, research adoption agencies, find the right one for us, apply to the agency, get accepted, attend orientation, and find a way to complete our approval process in a reasonable period of time. This is important because Scot and I aren’t spring chickens by any means. Then I decided to take another position at another firm. Next Scot and I thought it would be a great idea to volunteer and be the co-VPs for our Fort Worth Gladney Family Association (GFA) Board for the next 2 years. Can you see how my crazy hot mess has developed?
God was holding out on us. Ok not really…he just knew the right time to let us in on his plan for us. It’s so hard to explain but it’s as if in one little moment
I can see it all coming together and GOD has placed his plans for us right in front of my little “I think I know it all” face. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in those moments or in yourself. All those hard times have led us to this point in our lives.
1. Scot is coming full circle. He can see the light at his educational tunnel. He’ll be graduating in December with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. I am beyond proud!!
2. I have absolutely no regrets beginning a new position at another firm. It has been a wonderful year!
3. Madilyn has had a difficult transition to her current Pre-K class so she’ll be starting Pre-K in a new school on September 23rd. She is beyond excited.
4. I have enjoyed every moment of my volunteering with Gladney for the 125th anniversary, Blossoms in the Dust this past spring, and the birth mother events. I also love that I was able to get Scot involved as well. Again because we’re crazy, I will be coordinating the birth mother events and assisting with Blossoms again, and Scot and I will be the co-VPs for the next 2 years.
5. Even though we couldn’t adopt through Gladney again, Scot has had the opportunity to intern with Gladney. Not only has he learned so many new things but he has been an asset to Gladney. He was designated as the coordinator for Aunt Edna’s Closet. This closet is available to foster parents, transitional care parents, foster to adopt parent in the DFW area. It’s a place where they can come in emergency situations to find clothes, baby accessories, backpacks, and so much more for children in the foster care system.
6. Finally, GOD also plans for us to continue growing our family and I couldn’t be more excited. We are managing to complete our Wills, get our physicals, FBI fingerprinting, and either this month or October we will have our interviews and home study. And Madilyn’s Adoption Spot is a hit. We are so thankful and blessed to all of our family and friends for joining Madilyn (and Us) on this second adoption adventure.
As you can see, my craziness created from our hot mess is a blessing!
As a side note: I wrote this blog post this past Saturday, and when I attended Church on Sunday I was in awe of the sermon that morning and how it hit home! Pastor Alexander talked about 1) you are doing better than you think you are and 2) God has a dream for your life. Most settle for dreams less than what God wants you to do and be in your life. Live absolute confidence in what God wants you to be over the course of years and not just the next 7 days. God's dreams are connected; therefore, Scot and I both must live/pursue God's dreams for us indivdually to set others dreams free too.
Hugs and Kisses from the Smiths!
