I've told myself from the very beginning of this process that countdowns were dangerous and could only serve to distract me from what's real and eternal and to disappoint me when (not if) things don't go as planned. I've been thankful many times that my heart has not been tied up in expectations and timelines and I think God has planted such a hope in our hearts that we continue to be confident in His plan for our family and positive about the outcome of this long adoption process.
Even so, you've read the title of this post, and you're wondering what the countdown could possibly be all about. I'm allowing myself this one countdown indulgence. The processing time for USCIS to approve I-800 applications is 90 days. One friendly gentleman at their customer service center said it's usually 75 to 90 days. While I'm still fully aware that the notice we get from USCIS could be a request for more information and documentation, rather than an approval right away, the 90th day is this Wednesday! (I know because I counted 3 times to be sure.) That means that I'm hoping (reeealy hoping) that we'll get some good news in the mail this coming week. It also means that I've checked for mail twice today.
After we are approved by USCIS, I promise I will not be counting days on my calendar any more until we know the day when we are going to get on a plane to meet our children in Brazil. I'll get re-focused on God's perfect timing and I'll spend more time praying for my children than checking my mailbox. Maybe I'll even stop telling myself we're waiting to adopt. I resent the word waiting almost as much as I resent little adoption countdown tickers. I'll stop waiting, and keep on living, preparing, reading, praying and hoping.
After we get the letter.
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