"Adopted for Life"

As we began exploring different avenues of adoption, I ran across the book Adopted for Life.  Russell D. Moore tells his story of adopting two boys from Russia and draws beautiful parallels with his earthly adoption experience and our spiritual adoption as children of God.  “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will  . .”  Ephesians 1:4-5

The book was a great encouragement for us to begin taking the practical steps towards welcoming children into our family through adoption.  Moore writes, “At a more fundamental level, it’s important to know that you don’t always have to know how God will equip you to adopt before you begin praying and planning toward adoption.”  And that’s exactly what we did. God is directing our steps and the pieces are falling into place.  He’s revealing to us that he truly does work all things together for good! 

Moore clearly explains how adoption is “evangelistic to the core.” “What better way is there to bring the good news of Christ than to see his unwanted little brothers and sisters placed in families where they’ll be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (pg 75). 

 “Some unique challenges go along with adoption – challenges related to finding a sense of belonging, to discipline and discipleship, to answering questions about origins.  Count these all joy.  They point all of us – not just kids who were adopted- to the gospel.  The gospel welcomes us and receives us as loved children.  The gospel disciplines us and prepares us for eternity as heirs.  The gospel speaks truth to us and shows us our misery in Adam and our glory in Christ.  The gospel shows us that we were born into death and then shows us, by free grace, that we’re adopted for life”  (pg  214).

I must confess that I did not make it through the entire book with dry eyes.  Many of the stories of Moore’s earthly adoption experience were heartbreaking, but what impressed me even more was how they so powerfully relate to our spiritual adoption.  I’ll never forget how he described his two young sons crying as they left the orphanage for the final time.  The boys wept for what they were leaving behind because they did not know how beautiful their future was going to be.  How often are we guilty of weeping and clinging to this nasty, filthy world?  Praise God that this earth is not our home!  He has prepared a life and future for us that are far greater than we could ever imagine.  We can stop the weeping and clinging because we are adopted as his sons - We are adopted for life!  

Adoption - Forgotten Lunch :30

This commercial gave us a good laugh ~ enjoy!

"Children Of God" - Official Music Video

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 
And that is what we are!"

1 John 3:1

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

We got word today that our application has been received.  Of course this is just the first small step, but it’s exciting to see progress with the adoption process!  Over spring break we met with a social worker from Lutheran Services of Georgia and learned about the different adoption programs they offer. We have decided to proceed with their Heritage adoption program.  For this particular program, Lutheran Services has partnered with the State of Georgia to provide permanent families for children currently in the state foster care system.  In order for children to be eligible for the Heritage program they must meet at least one of the following criteria: been in foster care for 24 or more consecutive months, be a part of a sibling group of any number, or have any diagnosed need.  Upon our being accepted by Lutheran Services, the program consists of three main phases.

            Trainings and a home study make up phase one.  Phase two is the child placement process.  Once the adoptive parents and children have been selected for each other they meet and get to know each other before placement.  After this phase of being acquainted, children are placed in the adoptive home.  Phase three consists of the post-placement process.  The case manager continues to assist the family for six months or longer after the children have been placed.  During this phase the adoption will be finalized and the children and parents are legally joined. 

             We are open to whatever the Lord has in store for us, and we strongly feel that He may be calling us to a sibling group.  We are praying for a clear mind, an open heart, and an obedient spirit.  He’s led us to this point in the process and we know he will continue to guide our steps.    We realize that each phase will involve a great deal of waiting.  Our prayer is for our eyes to be fixed on Jesus, our actions led by His Spirit, and to not solely be focused on the “end result” of increasing our family.  We’re praying that we will enjoy this “pre-adoption” season in our lives and not miss what God has for us during the times of waiting. We’re also praying for the children that God is preparing to add to our family.  We’re praying for their safety, protection, and that they might have a loving and Godly influence in their lives during their time in foster care.  We’d be delighted for you to join with us in praying for all of these things!    

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

April 24th Will Always be a Memorable Day

April 24, 2004 marks the beginning of our journey as husband and wife.   Jeremy’s a dreamer and I’m a planner.  I’m also an avid list maker.  (Yes, I’m one of those who will add something that I’ve already completed to the list just to feel the satisfaction of crossing it off!)  For a while my life had gone completely according to plan:  college – check; graduate school – check; engagement – check; wedding – check; career – check; house – check; children – oh wait! And that’s when I began learning that life doesn’t always follow my check list.     

            As a newly wed, I never imagined that we would have difficulty having a family.  I just assumed that it would fall naturally into place on the list.  But as time passed and I dealt with my physical struggles, I began to realize that maybe things wouldn’t go exactly as we had dreamed and planned. 

            Not too long after the first surgery to treat my endometriosis we found out we were expecting – how exciting!   Things seemed to be back on track - our plan had just experienced a little road bump and now we looked forward to a baby bump!  Through the excitement, however, I distinctly remember hearing God’s spirit whisper to me that no matter what happens God is faithful and in control of all things. 

            April 24, 2008 marks another day we will never forget.  It’s the day the doctors told us that they could no longer hear a heart beat.  After the doctor’s visit we had planned on celebrating our anniversary, but we were harshly reminded that life doesn’t always unfold according to our plans.  The Spirit’s earlier whisperings provided an indescribable comfort during a time of indescribable hurt.  God is faithful and in control of all things. Over time, He has given us a peace about our circumstances – a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that brings great joy, and a peace that comes only from Him. This phase of our lives has not been a time of sadness, but a time of fullness in Christ! 

            April 24, 2011 marks another memorable day.  It’s the day in 2011 that we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I can’t think of a better memory to add to the list of why April 24^th will always be a day we remember!  Jesus is alive and because He lives we can face tomorrow.  No matter what we may face in life, we serve a risen savior – what more could we ask for?!            

I chuckle to think about how small our dreams and plans seem in comparison to God’s.  My soul smiles at the grandness of His plans and desires for our lives.   He has great things in store!

The Year of the Listening Heart

     As I think about listening, my mind drifts to my elementary music classroom . . . I know my students hear my voice, but are they really listening to my instruction? It's not difficult to determine who is truly listening.  For instance after a detailed explanation about our days music lesson on our recorders, I'll get the classic questions such as "Mrs. Holmes are we going to be playing recorders today?"  I don't usually have to answer those types of questions (that have just been answered!) because the students who were listening quickly answer for me . . ."Yes! She just told us what we're going to do.  Weren't you listening?!"  Then there's always the times when they clearly hear my directions, they are using their "listening ears" as us teachers like to say, but they simply choose not to follow the directions.  When listening to a musical example, I often remind them to "use their ears, not their mouths" to listen.
     Then my mind drifts back to my own heart . . . how often am I guilty of these "listening flaws" myself?  Many times I find myself using my mouth way too much instead of using my ears to listen to and enjoy what God is saying.  God is speaking, but I may choose to focus on other things and not truly listen to His voice.  The distractions may be too great, my schedule's too busy, or my body's too tired.  I may hear him, but am I listening?  Or maybe I hear him loud and clear, but simply choose not to follow his instruction.  I'm beginning to see that true listening and obedience are closely united.  If we listen to God, we are compelled to respond to what he's saying to us and take action!

     For sometime now, God has been speaking to us about adoption and has burdened our hearts for orphans.  We would always say to each other "someday maybe we'll adopt if God opens those doors for us."   Well, God is clearly speaking and we want to be obedient to his call in our lives.  We don't want to just hear him, we want to listen and respond with obedience.  Of course, we don't know how all of the details of this journey will unfold, but we do know our destination.  Our destination is Jesus.  Through every step of the journey, whether it results in the adoption of one, many, or maybe even no children, we will be coming to Jesus! We pray that one day in the near future we will hear the pitter patter of feet running through our house and that we can be used by God to help those little feet to learn to step towards Jesus too.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

James 1:22

My Prayer

Give me your eyes that I may have sight, so in my eyes they will see light.

I only want your vision, to tell of your love and make that my mission.

Take my sight and make it yours,
so your blessings and grace cannot be ignored

Give me your hands to carry your light, the hands which hold me with such might. 

Give me your hands that lift me up, the hands that bless and fill my cup.

The hands for my sake the nails were driven,

the hands that give life, for you have risen.

Give me your feet so I may take, the word of you to all who wait.

Give me your feet so I may race, to tell others of your mighty grace.

Give me your feet those nails were in,

to remind me you died for my sin.

Give me your heart and fill my soul,

fill me with grace and love and make me whole.

Give me your heart to hold forever, for your loving kindness will always endeavor.

The heart I broke because of my sin, the heart that holds and forever keeps me in.

So give me your whole body and make me new,

Because dear Jesus, it's all about you.

by - A sinner saved by grace