As I might have mentioned, between my husband and I, adoption was a wagon that I was the last to get on. At the beginning of this procees, I sought the Lord for guidance and have been moved from wanting to have another child of my own, to no longer having that desire, and spending more and more time looking into the many children in need a loving family.
It's been an amazing journey and I have felt God through it. I felt I knew the path He wanted for us, and now....I am flooded with FEAR!
Fear has cropped up in so many areas that I think about:
- How will my family react and what if they're not supportive?
- How will my children react, particularly my youngest, who has gotten very comfortable being the baby?
- How will people passing by react when I'm sitting at Panera with my three children, one who clearly doesn't look like the rest of us?
- How will I feel about the child once he/she is here?
I have felt the Lord through this journey and now, amidst all of this fear, I can barely hear His voice.
So, if I'm having trouble hearing his voice, I will go to His word...
Here are some lessons that are being brought to my attention:
1.The authorities choosing not to believe in Isaiah's message due to fear...
John 12:42-43
"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but, for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."
2. The fear of the Israelites to take the land God had called them to...
Numbers 13:28
"However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there."
The Lords response:
Numbers 14:11
"How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have done among them?"
A quote I ran into by Corrie Ten Boom was
'Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
The last interesting thought I came across was the idea that to overcome fear we must live what we believe.
"Sometimes we find it more comfortable to talk about the life of Jesus rather than let Jesus live in and through us."
Please pray that the 'noise' of fear will not drown out the word of God.
Road Banner
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Why Ethiopia?
Well, I think a question we might get the most is, how did you decide on Ethiopia? Our initial look into Ethiopia was a result of wanting an infant instead of an older child to adopt. We currently have a 2 and 4 year old and we wanted to stay in the birth order.
After doing some research about the country, the number of orphans that needed homes, and despite it all, the joy that seems to come from these people, the Lord would not let me turn my head another direction.
I would try to look into other countries and even into domestic adoption, and the Lord continued to lead me back to Ethiopia - the adoption blogs, the country statistics, the videos of the many 'gotcha' days on Utube. My heart simply melted and felt pulled toward this country and these children.
Whenever I get nervous or scared about the choice to adopt, I continue to look at the following statistics:
- One in 100 babies die before they're 1 month old.
- One in 10 babies die before they're 1 year old.
- One in 6 children die before they're 5 years old.
- 44% of the population is under the age of 15.
- Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school.
- Ethiopia is 2 times the size of Texas, and has 4.8 million orphans (and growing).
If we don't help these children, who will? We feel that God is calling us to help in the form of adopting one of these beautiful children of Ethiopia, and though it's scary and nerve-wracking, we are honored for the call. We will respond in faith.
After doing some research about the country, the number of orphans that needed homes, and despite it all, the joy that seems to come from these people, the Lord would not let me turn my head another direction.
I would try to look into other countries and even into domestic adoption, and the Lord continued to lead me back to Ethiopia - the adoption blogs, the country statistics, the videos of the many 'gotcha' days on Utube. My heart simply melted and felt pulled toward this country and these children.
Whenever I get nervous or scared about the choice to adopt, I continue to look at the following statistics:
- One in 100 babies die before they're 1 month old.
- One in 10 babies die before they're 1 year old.
- One in 6 children die before they're 5 years old.
- 44% of the population is under the age of 15.
- Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school.
- Ethiopia is 2 times the size of Texas, and has 4.8 million orphans (and growing).
If we don't help these children, who will? We feel that God is calling us to help in the form of adopting one of these beautiful children of Ethiopia, and though it's scary and nerve-wracking, we are honored for the call. We will respond in faith.
"God....are you serious?"
It was Sunday, November 8, 2009 when we came to church and found out it was Orphan Sunday. I thought...this is going to be a long Sunday. My husband had always mentioned adopting at "some point" in our life. Being such an aloof date, I never thought much about it. But I knew...this Sunday, the message would not be easily left undiscussed.
My husband has always had a heart for adoption, so since November 8th, 2009, I've spent a lot of time on my knees simply asking God for one thing, "Lord, just show me what you want for our family. Let your will be my will. And Lord....you're going to have to make this one REALLY clear".
It's been 13 weeks and 3 days of praying, talking, researching, reaching out to others and the Lord has made his desire clear in my heart....you have a child in Ethiopia.
My response: (laughter) "God....are you serios?" Are you sure you don't have me mixed up with someone stronger, more loving, more tender, more everything!?
If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, you know that he has a funny way about making us laugh, stretching us, and most importantly, walking in faith with Him.
He is doing all three with this one decision. Lord, I'm going to need you to hold on tight, because this is one journey that I'll need you EVERY step of the way.
Please pray for our family, and pray for future, walking confidently on God's narrow path. The sermon that started it all: http://www.harvestnorthindy.org/10182/blogentry/entry_id/184951/Orphan_Sunday___A_Call_to_Gospel_Driven_Action__James_1_27
My husband has always had a heart for adoption, so since November 8th, 2009, I've spent a lot of time on my knees simply asking God for one thing, "Lord, just show me what you want for our family. Let your will be my will. And Lord....you're going to have to make this one REALLY clear".
It's been 13 weeks and 3 days of praying, talking, researching, reaching out to others and the Lord has made his desire clear in my heart....you have a child in Ethiopia.
My response: (laughter) "God....are you serios?" Are you sure you don't have me mixed up with someone stronger, more loving, more tender, more everything!?
If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, you know that he has a funny way about making us laugh, stretching us, and most importantly, walking in faith with Him.
He is doing all three with this one decision. Lord, I'm going to need you to hold on tight, because this is one journey that I'll need you EVERY step of the way.
Please pray for our family, and pray for future, walking confidently on God's narrow path. The sermon that started it all: http://www.harvestnorthindy.org/10182/blogentry/entry_id/184951/Orphan_Sunday___A_Call_to_Gospel_Driven_Action__James_1_27
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