Not the only one

The husband and I were able to attend an adoption conference this weekend. We spent Friday evening and ALL day yesterday surrounded by people with a common thread. And it was amazing to me how that one thing in common INSTANTLY makes everyone SO friendly and open with one another! We met some really nice couples. They are going through their own struggles right now. But we know how they feel! And we saw some people that we already know. And I found myself thinking, "Huh. Who knew!?" And we chatted. And it was ever so enjoyable. So enjoyable, in fact, that I can't wait to go again next year!

And I realized something this weekend......

I'm not the only one.

The only one who....

feels this trial is more than I can bear sometimes

has had a failed adoption

gets my hopes up almost every month, that MAYBE I could have that miracle this time

wants a baby so bad it hurts (and by baby, I mean any child)

sometimes wants to be angry & sad & bitter, but knows that doesn't help anything

doesn't know where to go next, or what the next step is for us

feels completely alone at times

hasn't looked into certain ways to build our family because we don't feel it's the path for us right now

has had my heart broken more than once

understands what a miracle it is to even have the 2 children I do have

wishes I had SOME control over the situation

is grateful I am a mom at all

still feels like there are more children out there that need to be part of our family

can't give up hope, but feel drained of that hope some days

has seen the Lord's hand in my life (in this area) more than once

knows I am still a valued daughter of God- even if I can't bear children

knows WITHOUT A DOUBT my children are meant to be with us

is grateful for friends to turn to in times of distress who TOTALLY GET IT because they've been there (or are there) too

Oh, and the list could go on, and on, and on, and on. And really I already know all of those things. I didn't REALLY realize them this weekend. I was just reminded.

And sometimes you just need a good reminder.

And it doesn't hurt to win a cute necklace in the raffle either!

***If you would like to know more about the conference we attended....well you could always ask. But you could also go to their blog. The conference is an annual event. There is a national one (which we have never been to) and also a regional one. The blog has all kind of info about FSA and other great sites about adoption, infertility, and foster care.