Monday, March 26, 2012

A few months in...

In the past the thought of adoption brought to mind several different thoughts and perceptions.  A vast majority of those involved what could be expected at the conclusion of the adoption.  A beautiful child who is held by a mom and dad that will always love, protect, and provide for the amazing child they now hold in their arms regardless of how far away the birth occurred.  It's an image I still treasure and hope for.

This evening after traveling down the path of adoption for roughly three months now the footwork that brings about that result is being clarified.  The learning curb that Missy and I have experienced since prayerfully embracing obedience in what God called us to is quite steep.  This is one of those times in life when the reality of our dependency on God for his strength and provision begins to sink in a bit. 

Although we had a pretty close seat in watching close friends complete a international adoption; being on "stage" so to speak is much different.  When watching we can support, pray, and encourage those playing out the scene.  However, now its my wife and I who have been called to stand up, shake the popcorn off our jeans, climb up into the action, and pursuit what we once were content to be spectators in.  Its now our faith that fuels the scene.  A reality that forces us to pray continually "Lord, increase your gift of faith in us."

Mike

Thursday, January 12, 2012

And So It Begins...

My husband Mike, just asked me what I was doing. And I said: "Blogging it, Baby!"  His remark was: "And so it begins..." So perfect for my first blog, I thought. Because it is just beginning.  Today Mike and I just filled out and sent in our adoption application to AGCI (All God's Children International).  We are praying that God will bless us with an addition to our family of 5.  We are praying for a baby girl from Ethiopia.

God has blessed us already with a healthy family with an 8 year old girl, two boys (5 and 3), one cat, financial stability with Mike's work and me being able to stay at home with the kids, a new house and a wonderful church family and a very supportive extended family.

God called us to adopt December 7th, 2011.  For about a year or so Mike and I have been toying with the idea of adoption.  We have some very close friends who just brought their daughter home from Ethiopia in June 2011.  I believe God put them in our lives for many reasons but one mostly to see how much faith they had in Jesus to bring their baby girl home. We had a chance to live with them for a weekend and got to hang out with them and their family. I think that's when we really started to ask questions about adoption and if we were really going to commit to it or not. Later, through devotions and quiet time I sought some answers to our burning question about adopting. I felt like God was saying: "What does the Bible say about orphans?"  My answer was: "To take care of them".  He just simply said: "Then do it!"  It was amazing and terrifying all at the same time!  Here I am in my comfort zone: two kids in school, and the youngest just potty trained and all of them pretty self-contained.  Really, God? Am I cut out to be a mom of 4?  But as I ask these questions I know what the answer is. That as long as I am following hard after Christ and seeking His will, then He will give me the strength to do what he has commanded of us. Very awesome! I know this is His will and I am so very excited to see what happens and how this adoption will change our family.

I also can't wait to share our adventures with anyone who will cross on to my blog. Please have patience with me.  I am not an expert blogger and it has been awhile since I have written stuff like this.

Prayer Requests:
  • That ultimately God's name will get all the glory in this adoption.
  • That God will provide finances.
  • That I will have a supernatural understanding of the process ( I have to be told things many times before I get it. :) )
  • Our children will understand what we are doing and why we are doing it.
  • That we will pass everything that needs to be passed. (Of course!)
  • Patience! And lots of it!