• 10/4/2007 1:06:50 PMMaking it realWhen we started our adoption adventure back in March, seven other families joined us in hosting 8 Russian orphans.  Out of the eight families, five have decided to pursue adoption (including us).  This morning, we received word that 2 of the families have received their appointment for a court date in Russia.  WooHoo!  YEA!!  Both are set sometime around the 4th week of October.  They are each planning to stay approximately 4 weeks and return sometime around the 2nd or 3rd week of November - just before Thanksgiving.

    Thinking about it brings a certain uneasiness to my stomach.  There is a saying that goes, "Be careful what you pray for - you just might get it".  We have been working and praying so much that - while I have thought about the trip, I haven't had time to let the reality of going to Russia sink in and touch my heart.  This is where the fear factor base camp in our home changes.  Peggy worries and stresses about raising the money and making sure the paperwork is all correct.  She is very excited about the travel portion of the journey.  I am less concerned about the money and paperwork and more about the travel.  

    I am not a person who readily embraces adventure.  While I have dreams about such things, it is rare that I actively pursue them.  This is where having a spunky wife is of great benefit.  I am so far outside of my comfort zone that adventure and not knowing what is going to happen next is beginning to feel normal.  I still have some reservations about making the trip and being away from my children for so long.  Anxiety - my old nemesis, has taken up camp outside my home.  I have decided that "focus" will be my new ally.  I must continue to concentrate on the tasks at hand in order to successfully stay the course.

    This might seem like a contradictory statement with, "keep your eyes on the prize".  Perhaps I'll keep one eye on each.  I know I'll feel much better after we speak with the other families when they return.  I mean, I hope I'll feel much better when they return.  I mean...

    Focus! Focus!! Focus!!!