One month of waiting.

Today marks one month since we saw our daughters face for the first time.  We have been told by many that this part of the wait is the hardest part.  During week one and two it really didn't seem so bad.  We found joy in sharing our match with everyone, we found joy in showing off her picture and we were busy pushing some more paperwork.  Week three came and there were less people to tell, most had seen her picture and that longing to hold her was kicking in pretty strong.  This past week, week four, it got hard.  A picture just isn't cutting it anymore.  We're ready to hold her, ready to smother her cheeks with kisses, ready to lavish this abundance of love that we all hold in our heart for her.  We requested new pictures three weeks ago, and everyday hope and pray something will show up in our inbox.  I obsessively check email hoping this will be the time, only to find more junk mail

We can't believe it's been a month.  One month down, four or more to go.  The month went by quickly, so we try to find encouragement in that.  Not that we want to rush life by, but we are ready for this little one to come home.  We are ready for this new season of change that we have been anticipating about, daydreaming about for so long now.

It was hard to celebrate a big holiday without her.  We tried to tell ourselves to enjoy it for what it was, our last Christmas as a family of five.  But the reality is we already see ourselves as a family of six.  As a matter of fact, a few times now I have subconsciously pulled six plates out to set the table for dinner.  We did everything we could to "include" Mercy in our Christmas this year, even without her physical presence with us.

She was in our Christmas card.

We have an ornament on the tree with her picture.

We hung a new stocking with her name embroidered on it.

We bought her a few Christmas gifts for after she comes home. (notice lots of sunglasses)

  Each of our kids received a gift from her under the tree. 

We pray for her often, even the kids melt our hearts with the prayers they pour out for their little sister.  We sent her a Christmas Care Package complete with a stuffed animal, clothing, candy and a photo album with pictures of us and words like daddy, mommy, sister and brother in Chinese.

Yesterday Mason said "Mommy, I can't wait until 2013."  I asked "Why is that?"  He replied, "Because that is when Mercy comes home."  Even our 7 year old is waiting in anticipation and ready for his sister to be here.  Everyone was right, this is when the wait gets hard.

God is faithful, especially in the wait.  I receive a random email here and there and the topic usually has to do with waiting on the Lord, surely not a coincidence.  I stumble on a verse that encourages me in the wait.  I hear a song that makes me think of Mercy because many songs include her name.  Friends send me songs that make them think of her.  When they share them with me, I find that very encouraging.  And a friend sent me this quote, it's one I had to print out to remind myself everyday.  It's that perfect reminder because she's worth the wait.

"Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on the object we're waiting for." - Charles Stanley

Inspired by Isaiah 64:4 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."

Our prayer requests are that we receive updated pictures, that we receive our Letter of Acceptance from China quickly, and for her continued health and protection while we are 11,000+ miles apart.  If you think of it pray for us during this season of wait.  It was one kind of struggle when we were waiting on paperwork, but it's a whole new kind of struggle this waiting for our child, the face we can see everyday but not touch. It's hard.