Where we are.....

This is a little update to where we are in our journey to adopt again.  At this point we do have an updated home study, which is a huge time consuming step.  You really cannot get anywhere until you have this.

We will be adopting here in the United States again, and so our first step is to reach $2,500.00 so we can apply with a Consultant.  We went through a consultant agency last time and it is well worth the funds for so many reasons.  I will write on that at a later time.

Our first kick off fund raiser was held about a month and a half ago and we were blessed with $300.00! 

So we now  are praying and waiting on how God will fund the next $2,200.00 so we can apply with our Consultant.  Once applied we can work on our profile books and then start reaching out to birth families.  So exciting!

Would you please pray for guidance, funding, and God's will and timing?

This is our fourth adoption, but we never go into it lightly, or without knowing the hard times we will face, but also the explicit joy in allowing God to continue to write our story as we follow his will.

To explain a little further, here is an exert from the book called, The Spirit of Adoption, by Randy and Kelsey Bohlender.  I love the truth this book speaks and how they have penned the heart of adoption.

"Adoption is not a spur of the moment decision.  Neither is it a haphazard, emotional commitment that a person makes because they want to do something good for someone else.  It is a conscious decision to limit one's own options, pleasures, and even potential for the sake of extending the story of God to children who, without a link to you, may never discover their link to God."

Thank you for praying and going along with us on this next journey.

Blessings

God's story for me and my family....

Here it is, something I spoke not that long ago on Easter Sunday, and after this I was baptized.  The most emotional thing I have ever done.  God was present and it is etched in my heart always.

God's testimony through me and my family is something he wants us to share so you know a little why we are so open to adopting again and the small sacrifices we make for him is nothing in comparison to what Jesus did for us.

I was baptized as an infant.  I was raised to know you go to church every Sunday, no excuse.  I came from a good family.  Since I can remember I have always had faith in God.  But even with that church base, and my young knowledge of God and his word my whole high school career was spent making horrible ungodly choices.  By the time I graduated all of those sinful choices accumulated and ended in brokenness like I had never experienced before.  I did not know who I was or what I should do.  I was completely lost. 

 

Slowly I found my way back to God.  I was full of shame and guilt.  I started to find a little bit deeper faith then I had before.  I actually started to read the bible given to me when I was in eighth grade and pray more openly to God.  As I was trying to build this relationship with God I met my now husband who gave me my very first devotional bible in a translation I found much easier to understand and read.  He showed me how to deepen my faith and relationship with God as well and my Savior Jesus as well.  I was a Christian.

 

But today I am here to tell you what truly deepened my relationship and my belief in Jesus Christ as my savior.  10 years into our marriage, a little over 7 years ago we began the process to adopt our first child.  I was in a situation that I had no human control of, at all.  It brought me to my knees more than ever and I dove into and clung to the promises in the Bible like never before.  I was learning to give my life, my child’s life, my everything to God, and I was learning what it was really like to be in relationship with him.

 

That would begin the choice of hearing God’s will for my life,  and my family’s life no matter what the earthly cost.  My faith has only continued to deepen.  We have adopted 2 more children since then.  Each adoption different, each one teaching more, each one bringing us more persecution from the world….It is so worth it.  I know more about the perfectness of my God, my Jesus, my true faith and the Holy Spirit working with in me.

With our third adoption a year ago, I became a full time mom 5 days before I witnessed his birth.  I was now thrown into full time mother hood to three precious babes who were broken the minute they were born.  They have experienced loss at a level I will never fully comprehend.  I can’t love that hurt and loss away from them, and I love them deeply and unconditionally.  What I can do and what I am now committed to doing is not just showing and teaching them what it is to be Christian, but showing and teaching them what it means to live a life redeemed and to have identity in Christ. 

God gave us Jesus who did the ultimate for us who never will deserve it.  He just wants us to give back, be like him, and to love and tell others of this great gift.  I get it now…  I still mess up everyday, but I have a responsibility.  I am weak, and I am tired, but my days are filled with the joy of saying Yes to God & what he asks me to do.  I believe God gave me children in the way he did because it was his perfect way of conforming me to the image of Christ.  Saying yes to Him is the greatest blessing ever. 

So church, hold me accountable.  I have a big house that could use more of the broken in it because I am saved and I am his, and His house is bigger and He wants us all to be there with him.

 

Are We Serious?

Are we serious about adopting again?  Are we willing to add more dynamic to our family?

The short answer is YES!

Not quite a year ago we purchased my dream vehicle.

Ta Da! 

That's right, my dream van.  No kidding!  Did we need a 12 passenger for 3 kids, umm no, but did we already know that we were suppose to keep adding to the broad and love more kiddo's, Absolutely YES!

So you see, this is no scam, this is real life, this is us allowing God to write our story.

Come on in and join us for the ride!

It's going to be crazy........

Soon, I will share more.  I have been quiet about something I actually shared with maybe 4-500 last Easter.  And I want to share how God has worked in my life because He wants us to be lights for him and show how He can work.

What If?

For a couple of months or more now I have been thinking and praying how to write this.  Over the last few weeks some phrases from songs and sermons and my ultimate source of hope, the Bible, have come together into our news.

Before I share my anxiety and my will to obey, please only read this post if you have the time to read everything and read all the way to the end, the news is at the end.

CAST YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM

What if people talk about us, especially our family, friends, church family, anyone who breathes?

What if they won't love us through this?

What if they won't pray for us?

What if they say horrible things that have been said before, plus even more?  And what if my children hear it?

What if we have no support?

What if I/we can't handle it?

What if it strains the marriage life, the family life, our social life?

What if it doesn't work out?

Romans 8:18

For I consider the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE WORTH THE SACRIFICE AND OBEDIENCE.

What if we are talked about in LOVE, in JOY, and with EXCITEMENT for obeying God's word?

Joshua 6:9

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord your GOD is with you wherever you go.

He's fighting for us and we can only hinder this with disobedience and unbelief.

What if we have so much support that our hearts burst with the love of Jesus and we can bless so many more through him?  They burst already, can you imagine it being so much more?!

Joshua 14:9

So Moses swore on that day, saying, "Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully."

Charles Stanley's grandfather said this to him.  "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.  No matter what he tells you to do, do it and trust him for the outcome."
(pst....  Inspiration for new blog name.)

So Ummm What if we are ADOPTING Again???!!!

BECAUSE WE ARE!!!!!

What if you love us through this?? We pray you will. 

Growing by 1 or 2.