Wednesday

I am really trying to be a more positive person, but I do find it a little difficult to be positive when I am stressed.  Focusing on the negatives just makes it so easy to justify being stressed as opposed to turning to God and embracing the peace He offers me even in the midst of chaos.

So even though (it is true) I am a bit stressed about having a psych evaluation done, there are a lot of positives in which to rejoice.

First, I finally have an appointment, and while I didn't get the appointment until today, it is for tomorrow.  It is with a psychologist who regularly writes these type of reports for pilots or anyone else that needs psych evals of this type, so he is experienced, knows what he needs to do, and expects to be able to write the letter fairly quickly.  (His cost is also half the cost of the first two estimates we received--not because of lack of experience but because the others rarely do this so they weren't sure how long they would need to write it up.)

One of his children is also adopted, so he knows the stress of the adoption process and can take that into account with my answers.  He was very reassuring to Oak on the phone.

His office is a little less than an hour away.  That is kind of far, but some of the people we were able to talk to were 2 or 3 hours away.  Also, my husband's job is flexible so he is able to take the time off and come with me.  That is really terrific because then I am not driving in the city alone or driving home after being put through an emotional wringer (I do expect to have to talk about some very personal and emotional things.)

Once this is done we are one step closer to having our paperwork complete, never to need to be redone (for this adoption.)

Another huge plus is that even though we only made the appointment today, a good friend is able to pick up the boys from their respective schools at 2:00 and 2:40 tomorrow which is a huge blessing.  She has her own child to pick up at 3:30 so her afternoon became a day of taxi driving.   Her willingness is very much appreciated.  

In addition, I have many other friends who would/have helped us by watching our kids during this process.  Sometimes it is easy to believe the lies of Satan (not a phrase I use frequently or lightly) that one is alone, friendless.  It is good to be reminded that in addition to God--a powerful, forgiving, compassionate God--He has given us friends and family to help us navigate this life.


Philippians 4:4-9~

 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Harder to do than to say, but it really is the more excellent way.

(Prayers~that the day and the test will go smoothly, that truth and honesty prevail, no matter how difficult, that hopefully that doesn't mean he feels he cannot recommend me, and that I will feel God's peace and comfort~will not be rejected.)