Holding Pattern

I must confess that I think that this month has been harder than the last. In March we were caught up in a whirlwind of activity. We barely had time to breathe, which in turn means that we barely had time to become impatient. This month has not been too productive. Aside from the baby room, we are still waiting on paperwork. Shane's fingerprints came back again, which is a sign that he is working very hard but also a sign that we are still at the mercy of the fingerprint inspectors. What a job that must be. We have one book report left and then we wait for the social worker to schedule the home visit and the final 3 interviews. I've been putting off the blog because I don't have anything profound or even interesting. We have been fielding lots of questions like, "Any news?", which sadly I have to answer "Not yet."
Isn't that the way God seems to operate? God has chosen a child already for us and yet we must wait on His timing. God has given me the hope of heaven, but I must still live out His plan for me first. I'm not very good at this "already, not yet" lifestyle. Continue to pray for Shane and I as we wait on the Lord. Thank God He's not my co-pilot. I need someone else to fly this plane!
P.S. We continue to be blessed from the hearts and pockets of friends, family, and even strangers. We now have 20% of our placement fee!

Fields of Green

I'm up to my eyeballs in green things lately. I have had some time off for Easter break and I spent a few days getting the nursery painted. The walls before were covered with a hideous, almost day-glo jungle border and safety yellow paint. Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder. Because of that lovely yellow paint, I had to primer the room before painting. Today I rolled the last wall of meadow green paint. I've got green paint in my hair, under my fingernails, and I'm sure there's a splotch on some exposed skin that I, no doubt, will leave the house displaying to the public. This has been a fun time, though I don't enjoy painting at all. I thought it would be a reflective, prayerful time. Most of the time I spent confessing my negative attitude toward the previous homeowners for that repugnant yellow! During my time painting today, I did have a chance to pray for that little person that will one day rest in the little green room. I also prayed for the woman who is or may soon be carrying this little person. More and more, I'm longing to meet little Lankford. I can't hurry this process. God has laid out the path for our baby, and has given this time to his/her birthparents. Pray for us as we hurry up and wait.
Shane spoke in the previous blog about the other green stuff we are swimming in lately. I thought it was so amazing that by the end of the day we had almost 10% of the placement fee, and this 10% came on a Sunday. In the last hours of that day we received another $1000 which testifies to the amazing generosity of friends and family and also God's overflowing provision for us. On Tuesday of this week, we received another precious monetary gift from a friend. We are just being showered with blessings. It is not the money that amazes me, but the hearts of the people who have given. These aren't rich people, they are people who are rich with the stuff that "moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" - Matthew 6:20.