One week until we fly to China. This has been a week of packing, praying, getting ducks in a row, checking off lists, making more lists, reviewing lists, going to the drug store, wal-mart, and so on. We are unbelievably blessed by people who have done this before and then posted their packing lists online with ideas about what was essential and what was really not needed. Melissa has done an awesome job of networking with other adoption moms. And today our visas came in, so when we show up in China their government will let us come in!

I saw an old friend from another state this morning and she asked where we were in the adoption process. As I told her how excited we are a lady beside her chimed in sarcastically “yeah, your face isn't showing that at all.” Apparently I was beaming. We feel a lot of excitement now, also plenty of anxiety, some worry, lots of hope, giddiness, and so much eagerness to be there with our son. And to start getting to know him.

As we are packing and getting the last details done a lot of conversations had along the way are replaying in my head. I remember asking our small group to pray for us when we were deciding to go forward with our long-held desire to adopt. I remember how once we started praying about it the answer was so obvious- the desires we had within us were deeper and stronger than ever. In an old book the anchient Hebrew king David wrote, the reader is told to “delight in your leader and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Awhile ago I told a friend about our plans to adopt Abe and he said “You're a better man than me, Craig Hawkins.” A silly and vain part of me would like to believe that, but it isn't true. This guy is a good friend and I'm not at all better than he is (in fact, we are both awesome!). I realize that to some, adopting a child seems like a really awesome 'good deed', or a great sacrifice for someone else's good. It really isn't. It's just what we want to do. The statement above from King David is how I understand the idea of what some people refer to as a “calling.” It is being given desires to do certain things as you love and follow your leader.

I believe that all children ought to have parents.  Melissa and I have the desire to be parents to Abe. I don't mind people thinking I'm really noble and awesome (go ahead, feel free), but it really boils down to Melissa and I are doing what we really want to do, working towards the desires of our hearts.

Here's photos from this past March: