Thursday, February 24, 2011

Is There Really A Need?

In the past 2 months since our children have come home, one question we have received repeatedly is...
"Is there really a need to adopt domestically? Aren't children dying in Africa? Why wait on a list domestically when there are thousands of infertile couples in America wanting to adopt? Aren't you taking "someone else's" baby? Shouldn't couples with kids not "take" newborns that so many other people want? Children are dying in Africa....at least kids in America can go in the foster care system and not starve....." While I am by no means an expert on the subject, I can say: Yes, there is a need for families in America. There is a need for families everywhere.
An adoption agency can in fuller detail describe why that need exists and the specifics of exactly how that need looks. My suppositions as to why there is a need were not exactly correct as we better understood the real need that exists.
This is my advice to those who are seeking where to adopt from:
Go where the Lord leads you.

Yes, there are millions of orphans worldwide.

Yes, children are being aborted here in America at horrifying rates.

Yes, the need looks different in different countries....but one constant remains:

Every child needs a family. Go where the Lord leads you.

I know I have at times in my own heart had a "hierarchy" of adoption. I have many times categorized that to adopt a healthy, Caucasian newborn was at the low level of the pyramid, while those who adopt a teenage, special needs, HIV+ child from Africa carry a special holiness.

Yes, it takes a certain calling to adopt children with more complicated histories, and the desire to do so must not be minimized, yet one constant remains.
A person is a person. Every life has value. Every child needs a family. Go where the Lord leads you.
Has everyone been called to adopt?
By no means.
Would it be in the best interest of a child for a couple who has no desire or calling to adopt to do so out of guilt or a sense of obligation?
Certainly not!

When we first began our adoption journey, it was to adopt a toddler from Ethiopia. We pre-applied with an agency, were pre-approved, sent in our formal application and were formally approved and then began the long haul of paperwork and fundraising. However, early on in the process, the Lord made it clear that our child was not in Ethiopia, but here in Georgia.

We never anticipated that.

In the months that followed, and up until the day we got the call and heard our children's story, my heart was still in Africa. Listening to that call, I knew, it is the Lord who sets the lonely in families, and he has clearly set Jordan and Eliana in our family.

Chances are the Lord has not called you to adopt all 163 million orphans in the world, plus the 1 million plus babies aborted in America each year. Perhaps He has called you to adopt 1, 2 or several of His precious children.

Should you take into consideration the need, requirements, logistics and details of a country or program before starting the adoption process? By all means! But in the end,

GO WHERE THE LORD LEADS YOU!

He will give the strength, finances, ability and joy for the journey. He will equipt you for the path He has called you on. Every child needs a family, and He will lead to the child He has known since the foundation of the Word would be placed in your arms. He sets the lonely in families, and He will guide you to your childen.

And then you will be able to look back over your journey and your child's story, and know that only He alone could knit together the details of your lives in the way He has.

Then you will raise your arms in praise and thanks that you have gone where He has led you!

"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain, He is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain."

GO WHERE THE LORD LEADS YOU!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Sweet Sisters

Little best friends in the making

Friday, February 18, 2011

Our Gottcha Day Video

We pray this short video will help to encourage, educate and advocate for both adoption and birthmothers. Feel free to share it with anyone you think may be interested!


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

My Favorite Way To Get Books For FREE!!!

If you were to come to our home...you may notice something.

There are books everywhere.

We love to read.

Recently, I have discovered a fabulous way to get great books for free.

Children's books, adoption books, homeschooling curriculum, gardening, sewing......everything!

Paperback Book Swap.

Trade Books for Free - PaperBack Swap.

How it Works:

Pop on over HERE (or click on the image above) and sign up. It takes about 3 seconds...all you do is type in your name and email address. And no, they will not send you spam or unwanted mail.

Go grab 10 books you no longer need. They can even be books from a kids meal......just so long as they are in good condition. Novels, books from high school, the "how to teach a baby to sleep through the night" books that did not work. Anything!

You will simple type these 10 books in....and.....you now have 2 credits!

Browse the books, choose 2 you want, click on "order" and in a few days, your books will arrive to your door. Just. like. that. Super easy. (Slightly additive, I might add:)

I am hoping to order hundreds of dollars worth of read-alouds for next year's homeschooling curriculum via Paperback Book Swap. (And yes, the above link is my referral link....so if you sign up through it, I'll get referral credit. Then invite your friends to join and do the same!)

Hop on over and join!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Growing Peanuts

Seven weeks ago....it was just a normal Monday.
A phone call changed that.
Two precious lives, fearfully and wonderfully made.....were entrusted to us.
We are humbled.
The past 7 weeks have flown by......beautiful weeks full of laughter and love.
...every minute a gift, every day treasured....

We have been told time and time again that adoption is not a fairy tale.
However, that is exactly what these past 7 weeks have felt like.

Our little peanuts are growing and changing right before our very eyes!
We stand blessed.
We stand amazed.
We stand in love!

Friday, February 11, 2011

99 Balloons

This short video is one of the most beautiful pictures of the sacredness of life, the love of parents and the glory of God revealed that I have ever seen. Watch and be blessed!

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Because of Adoption....

Because of adoption.......these precious children will grow up in the arms of a family.
Because of adoption......5 children will view the World by the content of their character...not the color of their skin.
Because of adoption, we have the opportunity to nurture, train and disciple 2 more little lives in the truths of the Scriptures.
Because of adoption, this precious baby girl will grow up with the strong protection of a Father's love.....
....and this sweet baby boy with be guided by his wise hands.
Because of adoption,
because of the loving choice of a birthmother,
because of the gift of life.
I love adoption!