First things first, Update:
Happy to announce we are moving right along...
We submitted our Home Study documents to CIS and on February 14th 2011 they logged us in ;)
This process with CIS usually takes 4 months, we learned that right now the process should take us only 6 weeks. We should get our finger print appointments soon and then our approval. Next step is sending the approval and 3 other docs to be "state sealed" and then my friends, we submit our dossier to China.
Which means, we could be matched and have a picture of our Cate/Catie as early as April!
Quite a big jump in my "planning" or should I say my constant attempt at planning.
You see, all along this journey God has been reminding me that I am a part of HIS plan, not the other way around.
This months big revelation:
Friday our washer died. The computer would not turn on so with a ton of laundry staring me down, I walked away...yes, I left piles of clothes on my laundry room floor...all weekend...happily (welcome to the new and improved Jenn)
Since I had all weekend to think, I quickly realized that Lucille- my washer, (yes I just thought of that mainly due to the song "you picked a fine time to leave me Lucille") may not come back to me. Lucille's passing would mean buying a new washer. Here is where panic struck me and I will admit I stayed in this panic state until today. I looked at several different websites pricing and re-pricing washers to find the cheapest.
Now here is the big deal: this is the first time in a while I have worried about purchasing something due to money. Now, I know that sounds lame and it is hard for me to admit too, but there was a lesson here so I want to share regardless of what anyone may think about me.
A year ago had this happened, I would have been immediately bitten by the "New" bug, this is where you get all giddy at going out to buy something new and shiny and improved. I would have been all over that a year ago, I would have wanted top of the line, I would have cared about color, model, features...only the best, I would gotten that "new" bug high.
But this weekend I did not feel any of that, this weekend I was in panic mode.
Now there is more at stake.
Now "New" doesn't matter that much.
Now my vision is not so focused on me.
Now I see I am a piece of a larger plan. A plan where I am not the main character.
I wish I had time to share all of the other ways I have been learning that this is not about me. Each day, is not about my happiness and contentment.
This lesson has changed the way I think about everything...for the better.
The GE repair man came today (an hour late) and was so happy to tell me that Lucille can be revived and that the electronics are covered under warranty.
Another worry that I didn't need to worry about, I should have turned the issue over to God on Friday instead of worrying.
I am so glad God is so patient with us, I would have given up on me long ago.
Oh but wait, He does have a sense of humor...it will be NEXT MONDAY before my Lucille is back with me.
That is right, I have one week without one of my most important "maidens".
Side story:When I was first married I read a book on being a Proverbs 31 Woman in today's world. The whole book I could not help but think, "well of course this woman is amazing she had maidens!" (see Proverbs 31:15). It took me a while to figure out, we do too...our washers, dryers, vacuums, swiffers, etc.
So, while Lucille is resting, I will enjoy the humor of my situation by bravely toting dirty laundry around to my neighbor's houses stealing their washers for a load here and there...if you are my neighbor be forewarned ;-)
Many Blessings
Brave New Jenn ;-)
