James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the
Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let
the world corrupt you.


Thursday, June 23, 2011

"Gotcha Day!"

"Gotcha Day" is the day that you get to go pick up your child that you are adopting. It's a common phrase used in the adoption world- the day that we all look most forward to; after the waiting, praying, paperwork, money etc....it's hard to put into words (or even attempt to) what an amazing day this gotcha day is.

Below is a link to a video a friend sent me that is absolutely amazing and worth the few minutes it takes to watch it. It is on family's "gotcha day". Makes me ready to start the paperwork now! :) So thankful for so many families that continue to inspire, encourage, and challenge me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=duyL9UjLrdM

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Inspiration from a mom of 7

I asked my friend if I could post part of her blog. She is a mom of 7; 3 adopted, 2 with special needs. Her blog is http://laurajonesjournal.wordpress.com/
I so look forward to her posts and every time I read them, I am completely inspired and humbled and challenged. Our God is SO big and wants to be so big in our lives. She is a living a example of being weak so that He can be strong. I encourage you the story of the adoption of her two little ones from China who both have an incurable blood disease and need blood transfusions every couple weeks. We are weak, but He is strong!



"If someone would have told me…




I would be in the hospital every week, for several hours at a time ….



that the laundry would be alot more crazy even with only two more little bodies.



that they won’t want to eat our food



and they will want you to rock them every night



and sing lots of songs every night



and bring water



and another hug several times the day



and “tell me mommy china” (the story of mommy coming to get them)again and again and again (in bed when I’m dead tired)



and going out would be such a production,



that both girls would be S L O W at everything (especially when I’m late)



that I would not be able to read out loud to my older kids for several months (one of my FAVORITE things to do)



that they had several other medical issues stemming from the thalassemia



that one would have some hearing loss



that one would have a deformed skull



that one would have severe eczema that takes extra time to tend to several times a day.



These things would have overwhelmed me!!! I have severe migraines that last for weeks and weeks, I have two fractured vertebrae in my lower back, I have two kids already who at times feel like severe “special needs” already. I homeschool, we like to go out to eat, we like to travel….on and on. It would have been “too much” for me.



But, the thing is that I’m on the other side, the other side of jumping off the “risky dual special needs older child adoption” cliff and I’m loving every single minute of it. We are better for it. Not easier, but better, learning to give, learning to love, to share, to care. I’ve seen deep compassion in my older kids that warms a mother’s soul like nothing else can. They were there, they were walking around the orphanage, viewing it all, taking it all in, with tears in our eyes. My stomach drops every time I stop to think of the day we visited their orphanage. Real lives are still there, still waiting, still wondering when they will get to leave. I just can’t even stomach it at times. That, yes THAT, not the extra’s on my list above, THAT place and THOSE FACES still in my mind…left there waiting. I wish there was no paper work. I wish we could just tell the orphanage that we want…that one and go.



THAT is the HARD PART of this adoption.



If someone would have told me it would be so wonderful to have them and such a privilege to care for them, such a joy…I could have gone forward with such peace. Over whelming joy. But, God does not work that way. He kept me needing Him. He kept me where he wanted me, clinging and trusting and obeying WHATEVER the cost, with NO Promises for wonderfulness. He wanted to remind me that Jesus chose the cross, the hard way, He had eternity in mind. He wanted me to have eternity in mind. Christ gave His life away, I needed to be willing to give my life away. I needed to be reminded that I am only a sojourner in this brief life. He wanted to remind me that He IS GOOD even if life looks bad to me. HE IS GOOD.



I’ve learned much and for that i’m so thankful."