Business As Usual ~ Our First Homestudy Visit

Last night we had our first home study visit! It feels good to have this first one under our belts. We were really looking forward to meeting Kristin, the social worker that will work with us. She was just great! She made us feel very comfortable and we were so grateful that she seemed to "get us" so quickly and easily. Prior to her coming I spent a little time getting the house in order. I didn't go crazy though! Some good dusting and vacuuming and I called it "good enough." ;) Other than that our house was in the usual state of a home that's active! Ryan has been working on some house projects... re-tiling the fireplace and re-staining the mantel, and Tenleigh's bedroom is completely torn apart because we want to re-paint it. When the social worker asked Tenleigh what color we were going to paint it, T shrugged an "I don't know." Kristin then asked what her favorite color is. T replied very seriously, "ummm... Poop." Gotta love that. Her word-of-the-month. But that's our Tenleigh girl... always looking for an opportunity for laughter! Johnathan was his typical quiet and reserved self for the first few minutes, but very quickly warmed up and was so proud to give the house tour and share every detail about our space: where Mommy keeps her toothbrush, Phil the rocking horse ("Grandpa Dan made this for me"), and his wonderful artwork on the basement door. He was a great tour guide! Bedtime for the kiddos came during Kristin's visit with us. That can sometimes be quite the "showdown" if they're overly tired and tonight was no different! ;) Then Kristin asked me several questions about myself and my upbringing. It was a nice visit. We will meet with her again next Monday. We are really wanting to move the home study process along as quickly as possible!
Lately I've been finding myself very reflective about this time of anticipation. I have been praying for courage and patience and to feel God's presence throughout this experience. I pray for discernment in some decisions that we will need to make. I pray that my words and actions in bringing awareness to the orphan crisis and Haiti is acceptable in God's sight. I pray that the trees in our backyard miraculously start growing money! ;)
Tonight I have been brought to Isaiah 41:13, "I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Thank you Jesus.