The Road to Adoption

Many of you know that Andrey and I have been considering adoption for some time now. We thought we might be able to adopt a Thai child while living in Thailand but that was around the time when we realized we might not be in Thailand for much longer. Since we've been in Cebu we have been researching the possibility of adoptng a child from here. We learned that applying for a domestic adoption is not possible prior to living here for 3 years. That brought us to exploring the possibility of an inter-country adoption.
We've been in contact with an agency based in the U.S. that does inter-country adoptions. We've learned that it is potentially possible for us to adopt a child from the Philippines as U.S. citizens living overseas. That means the process would be similar to what we'd go through if we were living in the U.S. and wanted to adopt a child from another country. After months of compiling information and a lot of prayer, we are currently preparing our application for adoption. We hope to have it in the mail by the end of the week.
This is incredibly exciting for us, even though we know it means we will have to wait an average of 2 years to receive a child. It is also an emotional journey, for me especially. I can't help but think that it is not normal to have this much time to contemplate being parents. The usual scenario does not involve decisions regarding what kind of child you want - what ethnicity, what age, what situation, what emotional and/or health issues you think you might be able to handle. The typical scenario does not involve having to present yourselves on paper to strangers and hope that you come across as a potentially good parent. Especially when you have no idea how good or bad you are at it yet!
So I'm posting about this because I would like to share my thoughts and feelings regarding this journey with you. Most of you know our situation and have encouraged us over the years. We have taken those encouragements as words from the Lord that he has a purpose for us in this time of waiting, that he will in fact fill our desires with good things, and that we are to trust in Him fully. For us right now that means not pursuing fertility treatments. Right now we sense the "go ahead" to pursue adoption. Through these things, our intention is to give God all the room he needs to work a miracle. It is a miracle that we are trusting him for - however he chooses to do it - and knowing that he will get all the credit.