How Much Longer?!?!?!?!

One thing that I did not share was that Robert and I are also on a "Waiting Child" list. This list is really a list for parents who are open to adopting special needs children. It's really, children with medical needs but they range from congenital anomalies, mild deformities (some are surgically corrected in China while others may have surgeries in the states or others may not require ANY surgeries) .........you get the idea.

Robert and I felt that perhaps our daughter might not be born the "perfectly healthy" daughter, but no matter how God presented her to the world, that she would still be the perfect daughter for us! We felt called to REALLY leave ourselves open to what GOD WANTS FOR US, not necessarily what WE think is best. We've learned that we tend to screw it up really badly when we do it our way and not God's so - hey, we know He does have the perfect daughter for us.

Parents who are open to adopt special needs children from China typically recieve referrals earlier than those who are still waiting for a healthier child. OH - 'referrals' is the term used for the child that China matches to the parent. A batch of paperwork full of babies matched to parents is mailed to the adoption agency and they call the parents matched to announce their 'referral' which includes the baby's picture, bit of history and current developmental status. (My next post, I'll jot down terms and how our process has been - for those of you who want to adopt from China - be prepared for PAPERWORK HELL!!!!)

SO - that leaves us the question.....HOW MUCH LONGER WILL WE WAIT??? WAAAHHH! When we initially attended the adoption seminar, the wait for a child from China was 9-11 months!!! Wow, well, 9-11 months have turned into 23 months according to our agency website, America World. We're at 14 months so for a healthier baby, we're looking realistically around next August. A child who is considered special needs might be sooner.

We have a tendancy to get nervous about this wait seeing that we are "older" parents. You want to make sure that you're still healthy enough to be around and an able parent when the kid gets 20, you know???? But the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is STILL on the throne, in control, HIS timing is perfect and that He will never give us more than we can handle. THAT - is a promise I can handle.

In the meantime, we just.......live life and wait patiently for the daughter God has for us. Rock on!

Our daughter Mary's Namesake!

Our daughter Mary is named after Robert's mother, Mary Elizabeth Warner Businda. I have never had the blessing of meeting Robert's mother as she has been in heaven for many years. In some ways though, almost every member of the Businda and Warner family have revealed various elements of who Mary is through their personalities, their love for each other, their kindness, commitment to God and family, and even their playfulness.

One thing I DO know: Mary was (and still is - especially to her husband Michael) the light and heart of this family. That's the way to be remembered!
Anyway - when Robert and I knew that we would share a child together, it was a no-brainer as to the name; 'Mary' if we have a daughter, 'Micheal' if we have a son... We're having a baby girl and although she won't get to know her grandmother on Robert's side of the family - she will definitely know her and love her through her family in the Busindas' and Warners! We are sooooo excited for her! What is really inspiring about Mary AND Michael is their love for each other and family. Robert and I are committed, just like Mary and Michael to love God, each other and our family. Thought you may enjoy some pictures of both of them at a time when they were begining their life together.

Inspiring Words of Wisdom for All of Us!

Sometimes you come across the most profound and inspiring messages so I could NOT afford to just sit on this one! I didn't quite know how to incorporate it into my blog but it IS worth clicking on the link and investing about 5 minutes of your time to hear this awesome man!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQtwEKlUutA

Who We Are!

Robert & Ronda Businda are two unique individuals yet together - we are one strong partnership! We are madly in love with God, with each other and with our daughter who we've not met! We believe that after years of trying unsuccessfully to concieve naturally, God has shown us through His word that THIS CHILD would be manifest through the miracle of adoption.

Psalm 113:9 - "He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a JOYFUL MOTHER OF CHILDREN....Praise the Lord".!!!!!

Imagine - God bringing two parents from across one side of the world and their child all the way from another side.....only God.

Robert has two wonderful grown children, Jennifer & Brian and we are excited to receive this new blessing to expand our family and to give God the glory of being in the business of creating miracles.

We created a mission for our marriage which would bring people together, celebrate life to the fullest and honor God and family. We spelled out our personal misson through the letters of our last name:

B - Blessed

U - Unfailing

S - Strong

I - Integrity

N - No Limits

D- Determined

A - Awesome!!!

We are big kids at heart, live life passionately, are very sensitive to each other's needs and we love to laugh hard, love hard and play hard - ROCK ON!!!!