When You Love Someone

Since we are getting to know each other, I thought you might like to know why we decided to adopt. And the answer to this question (and many more) is that all you need is love. 

From a Bible study lesson about John the Apostle, I remember most the history/legend that says as an old man, John, beloved disciple and son of thunder, had come to realize that love is all that matters after all. After walking with Jesus day by day, writing 5 books that made it to the Bible, being exiled to an uninhabited island, and finally old and infirm, he knew that love makes the world go 'round. The history says that he used to be carried on his mat through the town telling people to love one another because he felt the power of the gospel of love.  

Tim and I had been married for 5 years and relished our simple life. We enjoyed the freedom that comes from only being responsible to each other. I am frequently home around 8 pm after work and running errands, and dinner might be eaten before 9. I do realize this is about to change, so you veteran parents can stop smirking...  We realized that there was something more. At the end of our lives we didn't want to look back and think about all the freedom we had, or the great movies we got to watch opening weekend in the theater. We wanted to share our lives with something (someone) beyond ourselves. So we started the process slowly. We spoke to a friend that works for a home study agency about the different paths to adoption (domestic/international, Hague/non-Hague). We talked about it for a while and then it seemed like there wasn't a need to talk about it anymore. We filled out our application, rolled up our sleeves, and dug in. 

This journey through adoption itself has taught us about love. So many friends and family have prayed this road with us, and we thank you all, especially in the dark days (like during the government shutdown when our paperwork was at the state dept and USCIS). I have had a few "mama bear" moments already, too, which I can only attribute to a shameless deep protective love. I have had a taste and I want more. I want to snuggle and hug and comfort and laugh and cry with my son. We cannot wait to share our lives and our love with our precious son. 

Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But he that does not love does not know God, for God is love. Let us love one another. 1 John 4:7-8