29+4 thoughts......

This post, is not necessarily about adoption, but I am sure somehow It will relate. It is one that has been brewing for a couple of weeks as I approach my birthday.

Tomorrow will be my 4^th anniversary of my 29^th birthdayJ. There is a list of things that I could think of that I thought for sure would have happened by now in my life. When I have looked at that list, I see that those are things that this world has said I should have done by now. What is missing from that list are the things that I have done, experiences that I have had that were not on my original list, places I have been, things I have seen and life that I have experienced.

In my 34 short years of life, much has happened. Yes, I did all the normal kid things like finish high school, I also had the blessing of finishing college. What I most reflect on in my years on this earth are the past 10 (give or take 1) that have changed the original list of where I thought I would be.

In the past 10 years, I have accepted Jesus into my heart and made him my Lord and Savior. This meaning  I was no longer was floundering with my purpose or what is to come when I no longer in habit the earth, but I knew for a fact that everything I did here had eternal significance and I was written in the book.  To add to that gift, I was given and extended family that are my brothers and sisters.

 I have had grand adventures on 4 continents. I have had the opportunity to live abroad. I have hugged the necks of what we would call, very “different” people. Sharing with them basic needs and necessities. 

I got married. That in itself is an amazing story of how God brought us together. It has only been three years, but I feel like we have already lived a lifetime together.  God has used our marriage to teach us so much. And although at 30 I thought that I would never get married, I am thankful that I had to wait that long. I do not think I would have been ready for the lessons that I have learned in my marriage.

I have walked two people home. In looking back at both, was an honor in each case. There is nothing like holding the hand of someone you love and saying goodbye, or in these cases I will see you soon.

I am working in a job that I love. This being the second time that I have been in that situation. To boot, I get to watch lives be changed and transformed in amazing ways.

I have become an Aunt 4 times. The love that I have for them is unbelievable. They bring such joy to my heart.

I am adopting. WOW, this is a huge one. Who would have known 10 years ago when I visited my first orphanage, that I to, would be bringing a little one home.  And just maybe by this time next year, she will be in our house. Oh, the thought of that.

The other list….. There is so much in our society that says we need to dress a certain way, be in a certain place in life at a certain age. Spend our money on certain things. And when you look, many of these things are very temporal. They really have no eternal holding.

So, as I look to the next age, I am incredibly thankful for the fact that I have an eternal perspective. I am thankful for the fact that I am not caught up in the world and their standards, but I am focused on the prize at the end.

Ahhhh, but there is longing there. When we started this process, I so badly wanted to celebrate this birthday with my daughter. I wanted so badly to have her home.  But of course that was my timing, and mine is never perfect. I hope that pray that she knows, some way somehow, that  family is anxious waiting for her. That they cannot wait to celebrate her birthday. And most of all, they just cannot wait to love her.

I am thankful for 34. Not too many people get the privilege of saying that. Each day in this life, no matter how hard, disappointing, exciting, deserve to be celebrated. Each day deserves a thank you, for each day is not promised. And I want to make sure that I go to bed, without the regret of saying, I wish I was in a different place. 

Love,

Jennifer