....we kissed Micah, Grace, Faith, and Titus good-bye, left them in the hands of wonderful friends, and boarded a plane for Ethiopia. We had 3 suitcases: one full of our own personal belongings, one full of medical supplies, deflated soccer balls, and formula, and one full of little boys clothes, sizes 4 and 7. Two years ago today we were on our way to meet two little orphan brothers who would, less than a week later, become our sons.
As I reflect back on the adoption journey that led us to July 11, 2009 my heart is full of thanksgiving and so many precious memories...some bittersweet, some painful, many beautiful and all orchestrated and ordained by a God who is forever calling orphaned sinners into His forever family.
God used so many people to bring Samuel and Caleb into our family....many whom we never expected and many whom we never even met. The hands-on help in Ethiopia, the council, and the encouragement of the staff of our adoption agency (CWA) was just amazing. We received adoption grants from funds like Steven Curtis Chapman's Show Hope and Katelyn's Fund. We were given money gifts from anonymous people and we were given so much love and support from friends in Yakima. They put on an amazing potato feed fundraiser/auction and helped in so many other ways with their time, energy, resources, and presence. God even used children and their piggy banks to help bring the boys home! We were able to take a full suitcase of needed supplies to the orphanage in Addis Ababa because of the generosity of people in states all over the country. (How we wish that those both near and far could know Samuel and Caleb and see the sweet "fruit" of their gifts and labors of love)
Over and over again God showed us just how BIG He is, His personal involvement in every detail of our lives, His wisdom that surpasses our understanding, and the strong tower of refuge He is in the midst of battles...battles of emotions, paperwork, and judges. Hugs from God came in all different shapes and sizes and we learned how beautiful it was to rest in those hugs and trust the arms that are "mighty to save" when we faced trails and uncertainties throughout our adoption journey.
In many ways, July 11, 2009 felt like a new beginning...but what made the beginning of a new chapter of our lives so beautifully sweet and exciting was the joy of knowing that the same God who had worked mightily and marvelously in the past year (and every year beyond that) was the same God Who would carry us still. And that truth had us singing His praises then, and keeps us singing them still!
"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered..."
I Chronicles 16:8-12
As I reflect back on the adoption journey that led us to July 11, 2009 my heart is full of thanksgiving and so many precious memories...some bittersweet, some painful, many beautiful and all orchestrated and ordained by a God who is forever calling orphaned sinners into His forever family.
God used so many people to bring Samuel and Caleb into our family....many whom we never expected and many whom we never even met. The hands-on help in Ethiopia, the council, and the encouragement of the staff of our adoption agency (CWA) was just amazing. We received adoption grants from funds like Steven Curtis Chapman's Show Hope and Katelyn's Fund. We were given money gifts from anonymous people and we were given so much love and support from friends in Yakima. They put on an amazing potato feed fundraiser/auction and helped in so many other ways with their time, energy, resources, and presence. God even used children and their piggy banks to help bring the boys home! We were able to take a full suitcase of needed supplies to the orphanage in Addis Ababa because of the generosity of people in states all over the country. (How we wish that those both near and far could know Samuel and Caleb and see the sweet "fruit" of their gifts and labors of love)
Over and over again God showed us just how BIG He is, His personal involvement in every detail of our lives, His wisdom that surpasses our understanding, and the strong tower of refuge He is in the midst of battles...battles of emotions, paperwork, and judges. Hugs from God came in all different shapes and sizes and we learned how beautiful it was to rest in those hugs and trust the arms that are "mighty to save" when we faced trails and uncertainties throughout our adoption journey.
In many ways, July 11, 2009 felt like a new beginning...but what made the beginning of a new chapter of our lives so beautifully sweet and exciting was the joy of knowing that the same God who had worked mightily and marvelously in the past year (and every year beyond that) was the same God Who would carry us still. And that truth had us singing His praises then, and keeps us singing them still!
"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered..."
I Chronicles 16:8-12
Comments
Your words attempt to capture the glorious uncertainty of what it means to walk by faith; to trust Jesus' love for us and the people He will love through us. We watched as you and Bryan willingly yielded to God's adoptive will, not knowing what the future would be like, but trusting our God who is perfect in all His ways!
Despite all the unknowns, the various hurdles and multiple obstacles, you waited patiently and worked persistently to adopt two needy children into your precious family. You "walked by faith." Even after you returned from Ethiopia, and new relationships began to form, life was awkward for the whole family. I remember walking with Titus, trying to cheer his saddened face, distraught because he felt the pressure of having to be an example to his new younger brother Caleb. He said, "It was easier when he didn't have to worry about being "an example."
A life of faith isn't easy at all. Yet, Titus would be the first to tell us that it is the most satisfying journey on earth. He loves his new brother and has accepted the privilege of being "an example" for Jesus sake. To me, your adoption of Samuel and Caleb, perfectly illustrates what a life of "faith" looks like when we choose to walk in the light of Jesus Christ!
Thank you for walking in the Light. Your obedience to the Lord has brightened the path of all who have journeyed with you through this process! We, too, have been blessed by your willingness to "walk by faith." The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. They are new every morning because He is so Faithful! (Lam. 3:23)
Thanks again for sharing your lives with so many, and allowing us to see God at work, and to MARVEL (and rejoice with you!!) at his wonderous works!! :0)