What an incredible {in every sense of the word} journey we are on. Emotional wasn't a word that I would've used to describe myself until I became a Mother. I was more passionate than emotional. Since becoming a Mommy to a 7 lb 13 oz bundle of joy back in February of 2009, I've never been the same. I believe I am passionate + emotional... now, that's a combination! Fast forward to January of 2011 when I laid eyes on my daughter at St. John's. Emotional? Heck ya. I can tear up just thinking about my children & how blessed I am. Far more than I ever thought possible & definitely more than I deserve. Foster Care? The greatest faith journey of my life; even more so than battling infertility for 1.5 years. Adoption? a far, far off dream of mine & desire of my heart that I didn't really think God would ever honor. I am so glad that I was wrong & that God has decided to see us through one of the deepest desires of my heart. I am so thankful that my husband has been along for the ride & said "yes" to my desires when it mattered the most. I deserve nothing, yet, God gives. My heart is so heavy {in a good way} w/ many thoughts, prayers, emotions, & desires regarding Adoption. It's such a popular topic from pastors I listen to on podcasts from all over the country, books that I read (Francis Chan, Tom Davis), & general conversations with others in my daily life (A co-worker of mine just told me on Friday that she used our family as an example when explaining The Orphan Train to her 6th grade students).
I just finished reading Fields of the Fatherless by Tom Davis. Tom is the founder of HopeChest which is the organization I'm traveling with to Ethiopia on my Mission Trip in June. He reflects on adoption by saying this: [which I'm typing through tears because it resonates w/ me so much]
"There is a price to pay for being obedient to God's call to care for the fatherless. The price is your heart. The heart that was once mine no longer belongs to me. It belongs to the children in Holuy (insert Ethiopia for me) whom God has graciously shared with me, & to every orphan in the world. What an honor to be able to be used by God to let these children know that they no longer need to fear because their heavenly Father has them in the palm of His hand." (p. 140)
There ya go... that's my heart in words today.
November: National Adoption Awareness Month
November 4, 2012: Orphan Sunday {I hope to coordinate this at my church next year. It is a day to recognize Orphans all around the world & bring attention to the great need they have. There is another couple in our church adopting through Foster Care so I would love for both of us to share about the blessing of Foster Care & Adoption.}
Next Up:
-WRECKED: When a Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life
Jeff Goins
-One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children To Change The World
Julie Ferwerda
Amazon Wish List:
-Undaunted: Daring To Do What God Calls You To Do
Christine Caine
-Finish the Mission: Bringing The Gospel To The Unreached and Unengaged
John Piper
-Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples
Francis Chan
-Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live.
David Platt
-7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
Jen Hatmaker
-Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture
Brandon Hatmaker
-The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Mark Batterson
-The Church That Never Sleeps: The Amazing Story That Will Change Your View of Church Forever
&
-The Cause within You: Finding the One Great Thing God Created You to Do in This World
Matthew Barnett
-Red Letters: Living A Faith That Bleeds
Tom Davis
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing your journey so we could become bloggy friends!
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