CHINA, HERE WE COME!

Though this may come as a surprise to many, there are those who've witnessed the unfolding of the story I'm about to share. We still don't know how this story ends, but we rest in confidence that God does. That's because He's the One writing it.

Traveling back in time to May of 2008, I was newly pregnant with my fifth child, Nova, when Maria Sue Chapman died tragically. Her devastating death led me to watch video after video of her family's adoption journey to China x3...and for the first time, God opened my eyes to adoption...for us.

Fast forward to February of 2011. I was weeks away from delivering my sixth baby, Boden, when I "accidentally" clicked on the wrong tab on All God's Children International's website. I was trying to sign up for information on adoption in China, but apparently I "accidentally" signed up for a mission trip to China instead.

It's AMAZING to look back on all that God brought forth through that simple click amiss. I could share stories for days, notably, the stories of Linda, my husband's heart, and the one I share here, among others. When AGCI called about the mission trip, we decided God must have been in the "mistake" and so Brodie and our oldest daughter, Aida, prepared to serve in two Beijing foster homes that following Fall.

Meanwhile, at the very same time somewhere in China, a baby boy was born with a heart condition. Weak and frail, he was brought into one of the foster homes where Aida and Brodie would serve. In researching for the mission trip, we found ourselves drawn to this particular little baby on the foster home's website. We printed his photo, taped it to the side of our refrigerator, and prayed for him every day.

About this same time, Boden was born. Every time I would nurse or coddle or carry or tend to Boden's cries, I would pray for the little boy across the world in China. I would ask God to comfort him and care for him and meet his needs even as I was meeting Boden's. I believe God did...every time.

We considered pursuing adoption of our special little boy but were met with consistent closed doors. We didn't meet the criteria to adopt from China and various other factors at the time would prevent us from adopting him. We accepted God's will and found ourselves ultimately drawn to adoption in the DRC through a series of events...though I never stopped praying for my little guy in China.

In September of 2011, Brodie and Aida had the opportunity to meet him! The photos of him in my husband's arms moved me. Though we were already signed up to begin our adoption in the DRC with Lifeline Children's Services, I felt compelled to try just one last time for our special little boy in China. I made the phone call, asked the questions, and again was met with closed doors. Criteria we didn't meet, multiple other families who were supposedly pursuing him, and definitely not wanting to compete for one child when so many need loving homes...all led us to accept the closed door (yet again) and move on with our DRC adoption.

Through another series of events, we ended up placing our DRC adoption on hold with Lifeline as we pursued the adoption of Noble and India through a non-profit ministry. God diverted us for purpose we now see, but at the time, we wondered why He had led us to Lifeline in the first place. And, why were we invested financially there? We wondered if our origins at Lifeline would someday lead us to another child and we even would often say that we wondered if we would eventually use that investment to start an adoption in China.

It was November of 2012. Brodie was literally in the Congo picking up Noble and India to welcome them into our family when I could not deny thoughts of my little boy in China. Convinced that either I was going crazy...or...God was working out a plan, I emailed the director of his foster home one night, just days before Brodie's return home to see if he was matched with a family yet. Her answer...no.

But what happened to the other families who were pursuing him over a year before? And why was he still waiting? And could he still be meant for us? My heart and mind dreamed of it, but we had a huge transition coming just days away. Those questions would have to wait.

Indeed, it was a HUGE adjustment after Noble and India came home. It was ROUGH, especially with Noble. I remember thinking we would never adopt again. I remember thinking we had really overdone it this time. And, I remember knowing that all of those thoughts were from the enemy who sought to discourage, destroy, and rob us of our joy. He wouldn't win. God always wins! HE is the One who knit our children into our family and His plans are ALWAYS good...even when, sometimes especially when, they're hard.

Both Noble and India are doing beautifully now. Praise the Lord! They are precious blessings in our family. They're ours and we're theirs. We belong together. It's funny how much can change in just a short time. God took us through our sorrowful transitional journey for purpose and through it, He greatly increased our empathy for other adoptive families who struggle. The trials aren't gone completely, of course, and they never will be. That's life! But, we're committed to a lifetime of transitions with each of our children, and we know that God will always supply everything we need. He is always faithful!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

It was February of 2013, two years after this story's beginning. We went to our Care Group and knew there had to be purpose for our being able to attend that particular night. Before we went, Brodie and I prayed. We prayed for God's will in our going. We prayed not knowing that there would in fact be an identifiable reason.

As we offered up prayer requests that night, the ladies listened as I shared about the "other son" we felt was still waiting for us in Africa. He had a name, an embroidered special blankie, a place in our hearts...but God directed us to adopt India {our little girl}. The boy we held in our hearts was not to be...yet. That night, I asked for prayer for this boy when my sister chimed in with, "and then there's your little boy in China." Ummm...

It was one of those moments in life where everything stops for what feels like forever. It would prove to be the moment that led my heart back, yet again, to China. (Really, my heart never left China...I had just tried to move on and accept the closed doors.) Again, unable to shake thoughts and the urge to pray for the people of China and this boy I've loved for so long, I prayed. I prayed that if we were supposed to pursue him (again) that God would impress that desire upon Brodie's heart. I couldn't possibly enter an adoption process without my husband wholeheartedly leading the way. I trust his discernment and calm wisdom, so I was asking God to lead Brodie if this adventure was His will. And, sure enough, that's what God has done.

This little boy, two years older now than when we first started praying for him, is still waiting for a family in China. He is still in our hearts and after months of prayer and an undeniable prompt from the Holy Spirit who leads...we are going to him.

Although I wish it were all as simple as it sounds, there are many very LARGE obstacles we still must overcome. The details of all that could thwart this plan are daunting, BUT GOD...NOTHING can thwart HIS plans. If this child is our son...then he is our son. Nothing can change that. If he is not and we have followed confirmations from the Lord into an adoption process in China, then clearly He has purpose in that as well. We await His ending to our story, His story. We expect great things. And, we know that He is in control...no matter what.

"For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"

Isaiah 14:27

As this story unfolds, God has been intensely personal. He has given us winks along the way to let us know we're on the right track, regardless of the final outcome. This past month, a wink came by way of a photo of our little boy with his foster mama...whose name "happens to be" Anna. :) {SMILES} as I thank the Lord for all the doting comments about his Mama Anna, stating what a wonderful, LOVING woman she is. What a joy to hear that this child we've been praying for has been placed in LOVING arms. God is SO faithful, SO personal! I know that He has answered my prayers and though He didn't have to, He even chose a woman with my same name to do so. How amazing God is!

Would you pray with us? Will you pray for this little boy we love so much? Would you pray for his heart both physically and spiritually? Will you join us on this journey into the unknown?

Without a doubt, we would not be starting just any adoption for just any child at this moment in our family history, but what's been undeniable through multiple very improbable open doors (which were previously closed) is that God has led us to this place. He has paved the way at His appointed time. He has called us to start this process and He has chosen now. He will carry His plans to completion according to His best design.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6

This story, it is God's. He writes. We follow. That's just how it is. This is not a hypothetical adoption situation. This is our special little boy and we love him very much. We always will, no matter how this story unfolds. We're trusting God's lead every step of the way. With childlike faith, we wait to see, knowing He has an awesome plan. We push fears aside, remember this is "just life on earth", read God's Word, and pray that He would overflow. May we make the best use of our span of time and by God's grace (from Him, to Him, and through Him) bring glory to His name in the process.

CHINA, HERE WE COME!!

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

Zechariah 4:6

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me."

Mark 9:37

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

"I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries...And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you."

Ezekiel 36:24, 26

CHINA ADOPTION TIMELINE

May 2008
God plants a seed in our hearts for adoption after the tragic loss of Maria Sue Chapman.

February 2011
Seeking information on adoption in China through All God's Children International, I "accidentally" hit the wrong tab and sign up for a mission trip to China instead. Brodie and Aida decide to go...little did we know that at this very same time, a baby boy was being born in China who would later steal our hearts.

March 2011
Confirmed desire to adopt..."How can we not?" Praying for God's direction.

April 2011
In preparation for Brodie and Aida's short term mission trip to Beijing, China, we research the foster homes where they will serve and feel drawn to one special baby boy. We print out his photo, post it on our refrigerator, and pray for him every day. Slowly he becomes a part of our hearts. We love him. I nurse Boden (who is the same age) and each time I do, I pray and ask the Lord's hand to be upon this child on the other side of the globe. As we consider adoption and pray for the Lord's lead, we discover that we don't meet the criteria for an adoption in China. Closed door #1...so we continue to pray for God's direction.

May-July 2011
God leads us to Africa. We meet the criteria to adopt from the DRC and feel this is the direction God has confirmed for our adoption process.

September 2011
Brodie and Aida meet the little one we've prayed for on their mission trip to Beijing. We wonder if we are supposed to pursue adopting him, so even after we were already signed up for the DRC program through Lifeline Children's Services, I make one last phone call. I ask the China coordinator about our special boy and it appears that other families are pursuing him at the time. Closed door #2. Settled that we had given it our best and final efforts, not wanting to compete with other families when there are so many children in need, and confident that he will be adopted (so it seemed), we trust God's calling for us to begin our adoption in the DRC. We move on...for now. (Though I never stopped praying for the little one I loved already.)

September 2011-November 19, 2012
We go through the adoption process for Noble and India, our beloveds from the DRC, and praise the Lord for joining them both into our family! We placed our adoption at Lifeline on hold after transferring over to OFA to complete our DRC adoption. We wonder why the Lord led us to Lifeline in the first place and why we're invested financially there...could it be for a future adoption down the road? Only time would tell...

November 14, 2012
I feel like I must be a crazy person, but I can't get our little boy in China out of my mind just as Brodie is preparing to return home from Congo with Noble and India. I email the director of the foster home where he lives and ask about him. She says he isn't matched yet. (What happened to those other families that were supposedly pursuing him over a year ago? We will come to find out later that his paperwork was not ready at the time. Was God saving him for just the right time for us??)

February 7, 2013
We go to our Bible study and pray before going, knowing there is a reason we are able to attend this particular evening. During prayer requests, I mention the "other son" we felt led to adopt from the DRC before we met India. My sister chimes in stating, "and then there's always your little boy in China..." I hadn't let my heart go there for a while, especially as we transitioned home with Noble and India. Her comment (the reason, I assume, we were there that night) reignited a spark which would be fanned into a flame in the months following.

February 2013
I cannot shake the nudge to pray for him and the Chinese people in general...ever since that Bible study night. We celebrate Chinese New Year, his birthday, and everywhere we turn it seems China keeps popping up...China. China! China!! Is God telling us something?? We're listening, Lord...

February 11, 2013
Brodie and I have a serious conversation and pray (again) about this little one we've loved for so long. I had been praying for Brodie, as our leader, to feel the pull if this urge to pursue him (again) was from God. Brodie feels it. He can't deny it either. "How can we not?" he says again...his now famous words. That's the confirmation I was waiting on. We email Lifeline and they agree to try to locate the file...a complicated matter in Chinese adoption.

March 11, 2013
After a month of waiting and praying, we receive news that the paperwork is not ready. Closed door #3. He is not adoptable...yet. This explains why he was never adopted back when we initially pursued him in September 2011. We have options and understand that it would be a LONG shot, needle in a haystack, blind leap of faith to pursue him at this point. It would include compiling a homestudy and dossier and getting "logged in" in China before his paperwork comes up so that Lifeline can get his file. It would include doing all of that and running the chance that someone else gets matched with him before we are ready. It could include heartbreak, if we don't trust God's sovereign plans...but we do. This is "risky" (What is risk with the Lord?!), but we can't deny God's prompting. Prayerfully, we decide to proceed.

March 15, 2013
We have our first official phone conversation with Lifeline and realize that we forgot about one criteria we don't meet for China adoption. Closed door #4! How could we forget? We get off the call, disappointed, but trusting God knows best. We pray. It dawns on me that there may be a solution. We call back. She will check with her supervisor...

April 1, 2013
After weeks without hearing back, I let myself accept the closed doors. I erase the photos from my phone to help my heart forget and just pray. We thank the Lord for answers and ask for more closed doors if we are not to pursue this adoption. God's will cannot be thwarted! Then out of the blue, the email comes through which we did NOT expect. Her supervisor says it's a go. What?! OPEN DOOR!! By faith, we're walking through. God leads, we follow.

April 2, 2013
We fill out our first forms, pray for the Lord's financial provisions, trust that if for some reason we cannot adopt our little guy, God has His best plans in store...and we proceed (again). Knowing there's a strong chance we will not be able to be matched for many reasons that oppose us, we guard our hearts, yet joyfully anticipate what God will do, what God can do. He's definitely up to something and we are following Him out of obedience. Nothing is impossible for Him! If this is our son, then he is our son, and God will get us to him. If he is not and we somehow lose him in this process, then clearly God has another reason for getting us started on an adoption process in China at this time.

April 10, 2013
Start homestudy process & introductory phone call with Lifeline...here we goooo!!!

April 11, 2013
Live Scan

April 13, 2013
We find out that his foster mama's name is Anna :)

May 27, 2013
Homestudy complete

June 27, 2013
Homestudy amended/corrected and sent to immigration

July 3, 2013
Letter to orphanage (petition to adopt him)

July 5, 2013
Difficult news arrives that we may miss our little guy after all our effort as his paperwork is projected to be ready about a month earlier than our dossier. This is disheartening but not outside of God's control...He can still do this...will He? Prayerfully trusting.

July 19, 2013
News arrives that there are currently significant delays with the adoption proceedings in China. Could this delay allow for our timing to work out after all?? Only God knows...

August 8, 2013
Immigration fingerprinting appointment

October 13, 2013
Immigration approval! (2 children (just in case), both genders (just in case), up to age 8)

October 15, 2013
We discover documents have expired. Runaround paper chase day so we can move onto authentication...Miracle at the sheriff's station...and it all got done in ONE DAY!! :)

October 16, 2013
Dossier sent to county/state!

November 4, 2013
DTS!!! (Dossier sent to China!)

December 4, 2013
LID! (Logged in!)

November 18, 2013
He's gone. ...and God is still good...but who have we come all this way for then???

December 2013
Enter Bea and Beck. We love them, feel drawn to them, confirmed they are the ones. But...we are only permitted to adopt one. And we love both. We believe they are both ours. Yet, acceptance...again. Heartache...again. We tried. That's all that we could do. We pray to go back for Beck once Bea's adoption is complete. We praaaay for him. We loooove him.

January 13, 2014
LOI (Letter of Intent) sent for our sweet {girl!}

January 14, 2014
PA Bea! (Pre-Approval...just one day after it was sent!)

March 17, 2014
LOA Bea! (Letter of Acceptance)

March 31, 2014
Shocking email...After over 3 months without him, we may be able to adopt our little Beck after all!! He still isn't matched! We've watched the website and prayed to go back for him. Could he be ours too?! Now?!

April 1, 2014
We agree to our agency's terms and place Beck's file on hold...again. :) PRAYING he is ours! GRATITUDE that God's will cannot ever be thwarted. His timing is intentional.

April 3, 2014
Another shock...Beck's file was released to the shared list last night! BUT, this morning our agency caught it, found it, and locked it. What crazy timing...God is AMAZING!! LOI (Letter of Intent) sent for our little {boy!} (Whoa!)

April 9, 2014
Woah (again!) PA (Pre-Approval) for Beck too!! The projected wait time on this was 3-4 weeks!What a blessing! Praying for miraculous funding!

April 10, 2014
Woah {again!} We have been waiting to hear about an update on Beck. Come to find out, something we didn't expect until later this week happened YESTERDAY! He is "doing very well"!!! Praise the Lord...It's an official GO! And, the cost was a fraction of what we had anticipated! Thank you , Lord! Waiting for our LOA. Hang in there guys...we're coming as soon as we possibly can! Praying still for miraculous funding with faith that God CAN and WILL provide! It's been a big week of seeing God move.

April 14, 2014
I-800 Approval Bea

May 15, 2014
Article 5 Bea

May 22, 2014
TA Bea (Travel approval!)...just waiting for Beck's paperwork!

July 15, 2014
LOA Beck! (Letter of Acceptance...projected travel 3 months!)

August 9, 2014
Bulrush booties fundraiser kick off...Thank you to the Stinsen family!

August 9, 2014
I-800 Approval Beck (same day as our fundraising efforts begin :))

August 12, 2014
Praising God! A year and a half of hard work and sacrifice to pay for this adoption and praying for miracle funding to fill in the gaps and the Lord has answered in the 11th hour! Miracle funding!! Answered prayers!! Thank you, Jesus!!! We are in awe!! We still have more to go, but more than half of our deficit has been covered in just days. God answers prayers in His perfect timing and He is faithful to provide. We just need to trust Him.

August 14, 2014
Miracle funding again!! Thank you, Lord!!! What an answer to prayer!!! We are amazed!!!

August 16, 2014
Miracle funding again!! In just one week we have seen an incredible amount of miraculous funding come in. God is SO faithful!!! Where HE leads...HE provides! Always!

August 25, 2014
Miracle funding again!! What a trustworthy God. He promises to supply all our needs and He is faithful to do so!

August 26, 2014
Article 5 Beck

September 8, 2014
TA Beck (Travel approval!) That's all we were waiting on! We're on our way little ones!! (The holiday in the first week of October means we have to wait until the 2nd week of October to travel...but as soon as we can get there, we're on our way! God's timing is best.)

October 9-29, 2014
Travel!! China, sweet Bea and Beck, here we come!!!

COME AWAY

The Savior beckons, "Come away," and I hear His voice. His sheep, they know it. "Come away." There's no place I'd rather be.

 

"My beloved speaks and says to me:
'Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away.'"

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

 

At times, Jesus makes Himself so clear. It's as if He repeats Himself for those who might be slow to hear. But His Word requires we be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. He beckons, "Come away," and the sources of His allure seem to mount up, one upon another. Day after day, the call. I hear Him.

 

"Come away."

 

I hear it. I'm coming, withdrawing, responding to His calling, I come.

 

"Come away," on earth, yes, and ultimately heavenbound.

 

"Come away."

 

And yet again today the call, so I marvel and I steal away.

 

"Come away...Send your Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in my heart, and I will continue to rise until one day I will leave life and time behind me and come away indeed."

-Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (Alistair Begg)

Twice this week I've woken with "come away" on my mind. As Jesus often withdrew to desolate places, I follow His lead. I come.

"And [Jesus] said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.'” Mark 6:31

He's calling, "Come away." I come.

"But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray." Luke 5:16

Follow this link to listen to "Come Away" on one of my favorite CD's, "Come Away," Scott Cunningham Band.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him."

-Dr. Irv Busenitz

"WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU?"

As an octomom of 8 kids, it's really a shame that I don't have 8 octopus arms as well...
because I always have at least 8 things on my mind that I'm hoping to accomplish all at once.

Over the years, we've taught our kids to come and ask, "Mommy, what can I do to help you?" It's amazing how encouraged I feel when they do! Never has there been a time when one of my children has asked me this question where I didn't have something on my mind that they could most definitely do to help me. If only they would ask more often!

So, today, in an attempt to teach my children servanthood and to meld our hearts and home in productivity and unison, we've come up with a plan. I'm praying that this plan yields results, rewards, responsibility, and reprieve.

I'm digging back into my XL marble jar and using our prayer board for tally marks. For every time someone asks, "Mommy, what can I do to help you?" they get a tally mark. I'm thinking those tally marks will translate to marbles at the end of each day and (hopefully) a jar full of marbles at the end of the month. By the end of the month, the goal is to have created a new habit of asking me how they can serve our family. Think it will work? We will see...

In the mean time, I'm loving the attitudes and spirit of helpfulness this prompt has profited in our family already today!
I even got to be a missionary in my own home as we went through an all out rendition of the gospel message before our undertaking. (Gotta love homeschool!) We're praying and encouraging and rewarding our way toward serving the Lord, not men.

I feel the LOVE already.

"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
Ephesians 6:7

PEARLS FROM DEVOTIONS TODAY

"Jesus said, 'Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27).

You can't bear His cross unless you surrender your life to Him.

A surrendered life, a life ruled entirely by God, is one that can be used powerfully for His kingdom purposes."

-Stormie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman, DayBrightener, Perpetual Calendar

"Evermore the worldling's cry is, 'Who will show us any good?' He seeks satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the quickened sinner knows of only one good. 'O that I knew where I might find Him!' When he is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could pour the gold of India at his feet, he would say, 'Take it away: I want to find Him.' It is a blessed thing for a man, when he has brought his desires into a focus, so that they all centre in one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a mire of stagnant water, spread out into a marsh, breeding miasma and pestilence; but when all his desires are brought into one channel, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields.

Happy is he who hath one desire, if that one desire be set on Christ."

-Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

IT'S JUST LIFE ON EARTH

I've been known to say (often), "It's just life on earth." What does that mean? Isn't this our one big shot at living?
And, shouldn't we make the most of it? And, what on earth am I talking about?!

I'm asking myself this question today and reflecting on what I really mean by my little motto. For starters, in our family, we definitely take our "one big shot" at this life thing very seriously. But, in the same breath, we really don't take ourselves that seriously.
Now I'm really talking in circles...or am I?

"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
Matthew 6:20

When I say, "It's just life on earth," what I'm really saying is that this temporal life will come and go, but eternity will last forever, without end. Therefore, logically, eternity matters more! The Bible tells us that what we've done or haven't done while we've lived on earth will impact our forever experience. What we've believed or haven't believed will directly affect where we spend eternity.

With these truths in mind, I don't want to get too caught up in my life here on earth, which God's Word tells me is a vapor. I want to live my life in light of eternity, which God's Word says will last forever and ever and ever. I don't want to spend myself for things without eternal value (which basically accounts for almost everything the world lives for, if we take a hard and honest look at what our culture validates). To put it simply and in the words of John Piper, I don't want to waste my life!

I want to live intentionally aware that faith in Jesus Christ is the only thing that really matters. And, out of genuine faith in Him springs love for Him. And, out of that love for Him we inevitably overflow with evidence of both our faith and love for Christ which results in good fruit, good works for Him, because of Him. Our works do not, by any means, save us, but they are certainly a byproduct, evidence of the infiltration of the Holy Spirit who dwells within. That's how I want to live.
I want to overflow and exude Jesus. May God help us to do so!

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James 2:14-17

When we start to live in light of eternity, we hold more loosely our now. When we live our lives for eternity, we're more willing to take "risks" for God's glory here and now. When we live our lives for Jesus, because of Jesus, because we LOVE Jesus, we act more and more like Him in the now. Jesus LOVED, He GAVE, He SACRIFICED and I believe He was serious when He said:

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done."
Matthew 16:24-27

Indeed, this life is a vapor. It comes and it goes and when we look back on it and ask ourselves how we've lived, I'm hoping we have at least dimly reflected Christ. I'm hoping we can see Him in our existence. I'm hoping we didn't play it too safe. I'm hoping we didn't hesitate to LOVE like Him, GIVE like Him, SACRIFICE like Him. And, I'm hoping we lived it for what it really was...

 

...just life on earth.

"What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

James 4:14

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:31

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

It's been a while, but I always love this classic clip:

"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’"

Matthew 25:23

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

IN LOVE, I MUST REMEMBER

When he asks for "more" a third time...in LOVE, I must remember the "more" he never had.

When she cries and clings, a sign of attachment...in LOVE, I must remember attachments lost and the blessing I get to be as her Mommy.

When he whimpers or sulks over seemingly trivial things...in LOVE, I must remember that's what 3 year olds do.

When she doesn't sleep and I'm tired...in LOVE, I must remember the gifts nurturance and sacrifice bestow.

When he forgets his manners...in LOVE, I must remember he's new to all this family stuff and rules.

When she yelps to be fed...in LOVE, I must remember God has given us the privilege to feed her, respond to her, validate her voice.

When I lose sight of how new these relationships are (They feel so natural, so emulsified, so mine.)...in LOVE, I must remember we're all still learning.

When I sense the weight of this path God's paved...in LOVE, I must remember His yoke is easy, His burden light. He carries in weakness and shines all the brighter through dependence.

When I wonder why He's chosen me, so inadequate, so just a girl, for such a huge responsibility to love all these little ones in His name, to raise them up to love Him...in LOVE, I must remember it is not I who loves them, who trains them, but He who lives within. And He does all things well.

When I wonder what the future holds, feeling somehow authorship is mine...in LOVE, I must remember the future belongs to Him. The story, it's His! He makes the plans, He writes the song, He leads, we follow, we trust.

All of these things, by the grace of God, on an hourly basis, with a mother's intentionality, by faith, through hope, and in LOVE...I must remember.

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE."

1 Corinthians 13:13

PRAYERS FOR JOY . . . ROUND 2

Our sweet little Joy is having surgery again today. Her first surgery and recovery over the past month was extremely successful. Not easy, but as smooth as could be expected. She is such a sweetheart.

I marvel at how the Lord has worked in my sister's and her family's hearts over the past few years. I'm so very proud of them as I watch them care for Joy and anticipate the arrival of Linda. They are showing Jesus' love to these girls. They are living out the gospel!

What a treat to have the cousins with us for a few days. I LOVE trying on 11 kids. It always makes me smile. :) Our plans include painting a fence and lots of time at the beach...definitely no dull moments! For now, all 11 sleep while I enter the dawn alone with the Lord. Silence and prayer. I'm thankful for this time.

Meanwhile, gentle parents just a couple of miles away, wake their little girl for a very big day. She trusts them. They love her. God holds her life and His plans for her future in the palm of His hand. He is always good. He has placed her intentionally into a home full of kindness and care. He has given her such a blessed gift, yet they are the ones who feel blessed. It's wonderful how God works! So high, so ornate, so sovereign and wise are His plans.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

As Joy enters another long surgery today, another spica cast, another recovery, we pray. We ask God to faithfully cover Joy and her family with His tender love and compassion as they walk by faith through the next few hours, days, months. And, we trust that He will carry them every step of the way. He will.

"And behold, I am with you always." Matthew 28:20

MORE ENCOURAGING LINKS

After receiving heart salve the other night from the families I linked to HERE, I figured I'd share a few more links to some families who've encouraged me over the years as well as a few new ones I've stumbled upon in my recent quest. Plus, this serves as a handy reference for those days when I just need a bit of inspiration.

Be prepared should you decide to click, however. Our great God has a way of using people like these to spur us on to do things for Him we thought we'd never do...so read at your own risk...and prayerfully, be encouraged.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds."

Hebrews 10:24

 

ONE THANKFUL MOM

KISSES FROM KATIE
STEPPIN' HEAVENWARD
OUR PLANS MULTIPLIED
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH

JENNY'S UPDATES

OATSVALL TEAM

THE JOURNEY

NO GREATER JOY MOM

LYSA TERKEURST

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY/SHOW HOPE

&

last but not least by any means,

though they are not an adoptive family...{yet},

THE DUGGARS

have always encouraged me by their heart for Jesus

and their loving hearts for children.

 

A chronicle of encouraging adoption resources wouldn't be complete without this

powerful video which greatly influenced the way we saw adoption years ago.

Depraved Indifference:

 

 

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you,

as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,

you did it to me.’" Matthew 25:40



SORE THUMBS FITTING IN

Pretty much, when you have 8 kids, you wander over into that category of not so much fitting in anymore. (Did we ever fit in to begin with?) (Do we want to anyway?) (Did Jesus?) Well, add racial diversity to the familial mix and we've definitely crossed a threshold.

And so, in an attempt to make sense of some of the "sore thumb" feelings I tend to battle periodically I ventured back in time this evening to read some blogs I used to make the time to read when we were initially researching adoption years ago. How fun to see even more adopted children welcomed into some seriously amazing families with hearts so big, they've somehow made our 8 seem small. I'm encouraged.

Is it possible for sore thumbs to fit in with the other sore thumbs of the world? Tonight I'm thinking yes. Reading stories of large adoptive families this evening has ministered to me greatly as sounds of sleeping little ones surround me. Link after link, the Lord "introduced me" to other families who share a similar mission and vision to that which He's given us. For that matter, being a visual person, just even putting my eyes on these big, beautiful families has offered council to my sappy heart.

Rarely do I stay up late, but tonight God clearly had some encouragement in store for me. Inhale, exhale, bedsheets rustle as my little best friends rearrange while I read. Gratitude wells up. After all, it was a long day. I couldn't possibly love them more.

As we embrace the children we've been blessed with and feel open-hearted to welcoming more, feelings of sore thumbness creep in to discourage...and wouldn't that just make the enemy so proud? So, in the spirit of faith-filled trust and rejoicing in comradery, I am saying no to discouragement, no to feelings of inadequacy, no to putting boundaries on a limitless, awesome God. We are, let's face it, completely inadequate no matter how many children we have. But God, He is able. He is always able. And, He loves children. So do we.

Thanks to all the other sore thumb, jumbo sized, adoptive family blog writers out there who've managed to make me feel "normal" tonight, I'm pushing aside feelings of doubt as we prayerfully consider all that God has done and all He's yet to do with our simple little family. Here's to sore thumbs fitting in.

"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me." Matthew 18:5

Just for kicks, but hopefully some inspiration

and encouragement as well,

here is a sampling of a few of the families who've been able to encourage me tonight:

 

NATIONS AROUND OUR TABLE

ONE MORE LADYBUG

A PLACE CALLED SIMPLICITY

BUILDING THE BLOCKS

NI HAO Y'ALL

THE BERGEY BUNCH

 

It's a blessing to see what God is up to in these willing-spirited lives!

HOW DO WE FIND THE TIME?

Over the years and as our family has grown,

I've found that some of the most common questions we're asked begin with,

 

"How do we find the time to...(fill in the blank)?"

How do we find the time to be alone with each of our children?

How do we find the time to be alone as a couple?

How do we find the time to have quiet time with the Lord?

These three, among others, are probably the most frequent. My initial response

(as I reevaluate my own heart in asking myself these questions once again) is:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:21

Our priorities dictate how we spend our time. Of course, we can rearrange our priorities with intentionality and reshape how we spend our time, but our natural inclinations (where our treasure lies) will always influence our drive to actually accomplish and follow through with that which we value. In other words, if something matters to us...we will do it.

It's like when my second born, as an 18 month old, wanted desperately to wear flip flops like his big sister. This was back before ankle straps were commonplace, so he was attempting the near impossible by walking, running, jumping in his strapless big boy flip flops. Nothing could stop my little determined toddler. I remember people asking me often when we were out, "How do you get him to wear those miniature sized, adorably tiny shoes?! I can't get my child to wear them!" "I don't," was the only logical reply, because I really didn't. He wanted to...passionately...and so, he did.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Is that how the saying goes? When it comes to priorities then, we would be wise to ask God to lead our hearts into alignment with His will, knowing that when we submit our lives to Him, the treasures of our hearts grow more and more like His. The things we value are that which He values. That's the goal.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 3:18

This morning as I ask myself the questions above and attempt to convey how we find the time for each of those VIP priorities, what I find is that I'm exceptionally motivated from the inside out to do each. Quantity Time with God and quality as well as Quantity Time with my spouse and children are valuable treasures in my heart...and so I don't need to necessarily "find" the time for such things. Rather, I find that I can't not do those things because they are my top priorities. I want to do them all, very much in fact, and I believe those desires are rooted and cultivated in the nourishing soil of communion with God and His Word.

TIME WITH THE LORD

In particular, when it comes to my own devotional time with God and His Word through prayer, Bible reading, writing, pondering, I can't avoid my motivation to spend time doing such things. I actually feel like I have to commune with Him in this way all day, everyday, in an abiding fellowship type of communion or else I find myself depleted, even worthless really. He is my greatest Treasure, my oxygen, and I am totally dependent upon His grace.

Spending time in fellowship with Jesus is a necessity in my life. It is not a 15 minute ritual I check off my list in the morning. Jesus fuels every thought, motive, action I invest in. He is the One who has drawn me into fellowship with Himself, so I praise Him! Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to desire you!

But, don't the kids wake up early? And, don't they have 78 billion needs? And, what if there just isn't enough time in the day?

Yes, my kids wake up early...some very early, but they know and respect that my time with the Lord is the first fruit of each day. Also, I tend to retreat to my Bible throughout the day as well, or to spend time in prayer as I lay down with a sleepy little one, or to talk to God while I chop vegetables for dinner or fold laundry. Quantity Time with God engulfs every component of my day. Praying without ceasing is ingrained in my heart as relational priority #1. I'm in constant dialog with Him.

And, yes, the needs are unending, but somehow God works it all out when I choose Him first. He's supernatural in that way. He is faithful even to work on my selfish heart when I, in my flesh, don't want to stop what I'm up to in order to meet a need. But, there is a balancing act going on here. God's Word encourages me to be faithful in the small things and to realize that whatever I do for another, I'm actually doing unto Him. So, even in meeting the demands that momentarily deter me from my time with God Himself, He guides me through servanthood and teaches me daily how to become more like Him through it all. Jesus was a servant.

And, yes, there is never enough time for many things in each day, but I like to say that there's always time to do God's will. When we yield our lives and the best of our time to Him first, He reciprocates by ordering our lives according to His best plan. Put it this way, with all that battles for our daily attentions, if there's one thing in life that's worth prioritizing and spending more of our time on...it's sitting at Jesus' feet...being with Him.

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'”

Luke 10:38-42        

I know that I know that there is no more effective way to encourage my children in their own walk with Jesus than to model one of intense devotion to Him myself. They see me behind closed doors. They know the journey of this mercy-covered sinner. They see the delight of my heart is Him and they know that He is good. This is the best gift I can give to them.

So, when I ask my kids to allow me to have time alone before the Lord, they get it. They understand the importance. Hopefully my devotion to Him spurs them on in their own relationship with Jesus more and more as well, because He is ALL they need.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

James 4:8

Out of intimately yoked communion with Christ, flow natural desires that are synced with His heart and will for our lives. As such, I find that in this season of parenting, God has given me His desires to spend time not only with my family as a whole, but also within the context of each day to search out moments with individual children and especially my spouse.

TIME AS A COUPLE

Brodie and I have always valued our time together as a couple. He's my best friend, I'm his, and we like spending time with each other. Our kids understand the concept that in order to have a relationship that grows together, we need to spend time together, and this gives them a sense of security they deserve.

Recently, finding that with our increase in children and a home that remains the same size ;), we decided to buy a couch for our bedroom where we can retreat and steal away each day with one another to connect and share our hearts (usually over a cup of steaming coffee or tea). The kids know that if we are on our couch, they are not in the room, and (most of the time) they respect this.

Brodie and I cherish our isolated conversations and prayer times together. We seek each other out. We talk and dream and discuss and resolve. God uses our devotional time as a couple to keep us linked up with Himself and one another. It is not something we schedule in. It is not something we check off a To Do list. It is our priority. We need it...and so, just like the solitary time we spend with the Lord, we don't necessarily need to "find" time to spend as a couple. Rather, it's a necessity, another form of oxygen, something we want to do.

Certainly, our time as a couple, just like everything else goes through seasons of change and this particular season is one of high-demand parenting and less out-on-the-town dating, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We love in-house date nights and our kids enjoy allowing us that time at night. We love watching the kids surf together, talking on the beach as the little ones play in the sand by our toes. We enjoy projects, working as a team, even "car dates" we joke as we run errands together and share grown up talks over thermoses of coffee or tea up in the front of our van. :)

If and when the day comes where we find ourselves (yet again) with excessive time for just us, the couple, surely we will spend it as God leads. For now, even moments of couch time devotions, car dates, and beach talks are a savored blessing and binding for two hearts with a common goal, to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love others with His love.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm,

but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,

two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

TIME WITH EACH OF OUR CHILDREN INDIVIDUALLY

Lastly, (and I've intentionally addressed these thoughts in a particular order), when it comes to spending individual time with each of our children, this is again something that we do not necessarily schedule in (though we do that too),

but rather, we seek it out daily in various and deeply precious ways.

It's the hug for no reason, the snuggle before bed, the reading time, devotion walk (Elka's coined term for a walk around the block with Mom or Dad to talk about heart issues :)), school lessons, or one-on-one errands which always include a special treat we wouldn't get as a group, always include intimate conversations on the drive to and from our destination, and always include lots of hand holding too. :)

It's the intentionality of a loving parent, the availability for an older child who's in the mood to talk, the lap time love for a younger child in need, and a relational friendship with each of our children that says to them, "You are special."

God has groomed in us a conviction that Quantity Time as a family is a requirement if we want to invest in each of our treasured children in a way that's conducive to building relationships with depth. Though our love (God's love really) for our children multiplies rather than divides with each one, the more there are, the more time relationship building requires based on simple logistics.

We're thankful that God has blessed us with His desire to spend our time investing in each one and because it's from Him, it's our pleasure to do so! For us, this means less on our calendar which can be difficult for some to understand, but we know for certain that in this season, Quantity Time in discipleship as a family is our priority and first ministry and God is blessing those efforts with joy.

How quickly childhood zooms past...and we don't want to miss out on the foundations of relationships that will last a lifetime as we lay spiritual foundations for all eternity.

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth."

Psalm 127:3-4

IN CONCLUSION

So, "How do we find the time for...(fill in the blank)?" We delight ourselves in the Lord, ask Him to lead the desires of our heart into alignment with His, and pray for the overflow of the Holy Spirit in our lives which produces good fruit from Him and motivation from the inside out to do that which God wills.

We seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that we can't do everything, but He who is faithful is able. 

We look to Him, spend time with Him, devote our lives and all we have to Him. We put Him first above all else and marvel

and thank Him when He takes care of the rest. He does!

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21