Worried?.... Who, me?! Naahhh............

"The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:5-7

There are so many things I could be worried about right now....

Attachment problems, developmental delays, unforeseen health issues, going from 4 to 5 children, homeschooling them all, flying to China (I've only flown once and I've never been outside North America), leaving my other 4 children for 2 whole weeks (I've never been apart from them more than 2 days), and if that wasn't enough...

For those of us that fall within the Hague adoption treaty, there are mandatory vaccinations that your adoptive child MUST have up to date before you are allowed to leave China. (exceptions are made only with severe health issues) This could be as many as 7 shots all at once! (U.S. rules not China) Not to mention there is now mandatory TB testing. A positive skin test will require a chest x-ray, which if positive could mean your child will not be leaving with you as planned. A 9 month regime of antibiotics is usually prescribed. How long the child needs to be on them before being deemed not contagious hasn't been determined at this point as far as I know. 1 week? 2 weeks? month/s? Then, and only then, are you allowed to bring them home. Not many parents can afford to be away from their job, or family that long, so this may mean leaving their child behind, and coming back for him/her at a later date. Not something ANY parent would want to do.

On top of this smorgasbord of stress is the fact that, although the H1N1 (aka swine flu) has faded from the media eye here in the U.S., the flu itself is still alive and well (or is it unwell?) and has put China on the utmost defensive. They are taking no chances... quarantines, hazmat suits, temperature scans and all... rightly so, I guess, when you take into consideration what happened with SARS. The flu is fairly weak right now but in the fall when flu season hits, who knows? After hearing of two other adoptive couples and their children being quarantined in the last week, many other AP's are rethinking their own travel plans... children or no children? one parent or two? backup plans if quarantined and have to stay extra # days?

With so much to worry about, I am surprised I am taking this all so well right now. Then again, I have moments...

BUT...

"The Lord is at hand." Phil 4:5

He is near.

When I start feeling anxious I ask Him to calm me and remind me that He is in control. And you know what? It works.


"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8