I remember sitting on the couch in our living room in 2016 starting the process we dreamed of doing since before we were married. Our third biological child was now one year old, it was time to start the process of adopting internationally. We never imagined it would take five and a half years. During that process, there were a lot of setbacks, especially with trying to adopt while living overseas! The documents we needed didn’t even exist in the country we were in. So many times, it felt like we reached a dead end and then God opened a small door. We weren’t even sure it was a “door” sometimes, but as we pushed it open, we saw we could progress to the next step. 

Last week I returned from India. I was there navigating the final adoption steps during all the setbacks and challenges of a worldwide pandemic. God was faithful to provide but I can’t say I made it through the three weeks without some tears and unwelcome stress. But now our son is here! He has finally joined our family! All those prayers and forms and fees and emails and rollercoaster moments, and he is here. He is so happy to have a family of his own. We get so many hugs and kisses. He loves to be tickled and read to and held. His life is going to be forever changed because God is faithful. Our son will grow up in a family, knowing love and support. He will receive the medical care that he needs to stop the spread of the disease that has been slowly taking over his body. He will have access to education and opportunities that he wouldn’t have had being an orphan from a low caste. He will grow up knowing that he is loved by the God who created him and that he is not an accident.

As I look back at these five and a half years, I see God’s faithfulness. I see how He was preparing us through the education opportunities and through the disappointments and setbacks. He was equipping us. I am so glad we didn’t quit! I am so glad we leaned into God and looked to Him when we couldn’t make the next step happen. He has led us here. I know that I am exactly where God wants me, running the race He has set out for me, the race He has for our family! Praise God for His faithfulness!