The Benefits of Keeping a Journal During Your Adoption Wait

by | Jan 28, 2016 | Adoptive Families Blog

Person writing in their journal on top of a wooden tableWhen you’re waiting to be chosen by a birth mother, you’re waiting in the wilderness for a purpose. While you’re waiting, it’s beneficial to keep a journal of the lessons you’re learning.

Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promised Land. It took them 40 years…it should’ve only taken them around a month.

So what were they doing that made the trip take so long? They were walking in a circle for 40 years! The Lord gave them seven tests and asked, “Will you trust me?” Each time they failed a test, God made them take another lap around the wilderness. However, they were waiting in the wilderness with a purpose.

The adoption wait can sometimes feel like waiting in the wilderness. But keep in mind, the way to the Promised Land is through the wilderness. That means you have to go through this time of waiting, through that desert.

Deuteronomy 11:2 says, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.”

Are you journaling your Christian adoption progress? It’s really helpful to start keeping a journal when you’re waiting; it can show you the lessons you’ve learned from the Lord. Little lessons lead to big successes. So it’s vital to write them down.

Psalm 119:33 offers a wonderful prayer for when you’re in your adoption wait: God, teach me lessons so I can stay the course. So I don’t wander around. Teach me how to live so I can get through this quicker. I don’t want to go in circles. Let me learn life lessons from you so that I can grow in spiritual maturity.

Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P.

Written by Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P.

Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).

Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.

“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!

Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.

I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.

It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”

Read More About Mardie Caldwell

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