The Wait

Wow.  Has it really been over 4 months since we made a blog post?  That is crazy.  Sorry if you aren't one of our Facebook followers and this is your only way to follow us.  The latest news....drumroll please.....on May 27th, Clay and I became the proud parents of Nathaniel Luke Richey.  It's official yall!!!!  He is ours!!  So, why aren't we traveling to get him??   I wonder that too.  ;)  Actually, we know the answer to that.  So, after court, there is a 10 day mandatory wait, followed by another 2 weeks before we are issued travel dates.  So, we are currently just waiting for those dates.  Due to the 4th of July holiday, we know it will be at least the 2nd week of July before we can travel to pick him up.  We know that God has perfect timing for his arrival in our family.  We know that God is watching over him every day that we are not with him.  We know that God is providing loving caregivers and that he is being taken care of as best possible for his situation. We know that. Does it make it easier?  Yes.  But is it easy to wait when you have held him, hugged him, kissed him, smelled him, watched him fall asleep in your arms, tickled him, made him giggle, and watched him look into your eyes like your other children?  No.  It hurts yall.  Like deep gut wrenching, heart pounding ache.  The desire to hold him close is almost unbearable.  Not a day goes by that tears are not shed thinking of him.  But, you know what?  A friend told me something that really made me think.  The way that we are aching for Nate...that is how God aches to be with us.  Really?  Yes.  Really.   He craves time with us. He wants to hang out with us.  He loves us more than we can imagine.   Just wanted you to know that.  To think about that.  YOU are loved.  YOU are deeply wanted.  YOU are valuable.  You know, just in case you wondered. 

Sooooo, we will keep you posted when we get our travel dates.  How can you be praying for us?
Quick travel dates, preparation of our hearts for Nate, preparation of Jack and Chandler for Nate (and the rest of the extended family), Nate ---his growth and development, good health and no illness for near future, continued loving care, his heart to be opened to us, to feel safe with us when we get him again, for God's peace and love to surround him.  For continued comfort, peace, and patience as we wait.  For good health and no illness in our family leading up to and during the trip.  For rest.  And for time to pass quickly in the wait.  I could go on and on...those just quickly come to mind.  Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support over the past 20 months!!  Keep it coming.  Next time you hear from us, we will be telling you our travel dates for gotcha trip!!!!  Yay!!!