Isaiah's name

I looked up the meaning of Isaiah (finally) and it means "salvation from God" . I looked up the word salvation and this is what it said


sal·va·tion/salˈvāSHən/Noun
1. Deliverance from sin and its consequences.
2. Preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss


I especially love number 2! God delivered Isaiah from harm, ruin, or loss; in his birth family. How perfect is that?! He has SUCH great plans for him and we are so excited and honored to be a part of them.

The book of Isaiah in the Bible is really an incredible book. I am going to be reading it some more and blogging about it. I know a central theme is salvation; that we are ADOPTED as sons and daughters of our King- through nothing we can or ever will do to deserve it, but because of Jesus Christ. Amen.

WOW

So I was sitting here thinking...I wonder when Isaiah's birth mom conceived. I did a look up online and it was around the exact time that Eddie and I decided for certain that the Lord wanted us to pursue adoption. He knew all along and His timing is perfect! We fall more in love with Isaiah every day. He is precious and beautiful and wonderful and amazing. Leah is the best big sister; so sweet and gentle. There has been no transition issues at all. She has been a huge help. The other day I gave her a dirty diaper that I didn't put in a bag to throw away and she stated "This is disgusting. I should NOT be doing this." I told her she would be doing this lots of times, for a long time. :)

Another insane fact is that I realized in facebook world today that my friend who lives in Jacksonville (that I met randomly at a park maybe last summer?) is very close with the family who is adopting Ladybug!! How insane is that?! She told me that they are an amazing family. Also, Ladybug is going to have a brother named Isaiah, just like Leah.

God is so good.

Ephesians 1:4 says God chose us in Him before the creation of the world; that we were predestined to adoption.

A little more

Hi again friends!
Wanted to share with you an email I got from my new friend Cindi, who filled in some of the pieces of the behind the scenes activity! :) Also, I forgot to mention, that the day that the birth mom told us no, I got a His Hands T-shirt in the mail. I haven't even paid for it yet (on my list of things to do!:)) so I was not expecting it at all! I opened it and on the front was this verse..

I Samuel 1:27
I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.

God knew Isaiah would be ours!

Here is the email from my friend!

Brenda,

It was awesome reading your blog.  Carrie Wyatt overheard many of the women at our school, Beaches Chapel, discussing your baby, now known as Isaiah.  I had received a text from my friend, Susan, who is the director at One World Adoption Services in Atlanta, Georgia.  They were called in, when the original adoption agency had pulled out.  Susan knew that I had many contacts in Jacksonville, was a Christian, and had adopted 3 times.  She knew this was one of God's children, and it was her desire to help.  This was important to her, as she felt the need to at the very least, have a strong prayer partner for this little baby boy.  I was doing some volunteer work in preparation for our school's community garage sale.  I was hot, sweaty, and tired.  But I knew that I had to be obedient to God.  He was telling me to stop what I was doing, and start getting the word out there.  I texted everyone in my phone, that I thought would know someone who would want to adopt.  I asked for prayers, I asked for wisdom.  Several families responded and wanted the baby, but things weren't "right".  Most did not already have a homestudy.....most wanted to know EVERYTHING about the alcohol use......many wanted more details.  Well, having received a very similar call over 11 years ago, this situation was "black and white" to me.  Either someone wanted a baby or didn't....the questions and answers could come later.  That's where God's perfect will came into play.....Carrie came out to the POD where I was texting and working.  Hannah is in my son's, Matthew's class.  Carrie said she "might have someone".  The rest is "history" so to speak.  I know that my friend Susan is a STRONG Christian, and was herself, being obedient to God.  You see, Susan and I haven't talked in several months.  She has LOTS of friends.  But it was put on her heart to call me.  "The steps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord"......Psalms 27:33.  It required a LOT of prayers, listening ears and obedience, but finally little Isaiah found his mommy and daddy.......CONGRATULATIONS!!  It was also great reading your blog and seeing what your beautiful family looks like.  I am so happy for you and will continue to be here for you, if you ever need anything or just want to talk.  Adoption is a special bond, shared by people who God has chosen.  

Love and hugs,

Cindi

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

 

Isaiah Edward White

Ok, so back to the story.:)

Overall, it has been an amazing year!! The pain of life not going like I would want it to had lessened tremendously. It would only creep up every once in a while. I would mostly get emotional thinking about my two babies that I lost.  But, overall we had been in such a peaceful place. I also had moments of breaking down in my boss's office bc I hated waiting, I hate not knowing. The PROCESS is hard...it's in the waiting that we are refined! I would get the pangs, every once in a while, of "oh my gosh this is SO out of my control! There is not one thing I can do to change or speed up this process!!"

Throughout the year God had given me so much encouragement and words from others. I truly believe all along He was using those things to just remind me that He sees me, He knows... and He has got a little plan called Isaiah Edward!! I had way more good days than bad, and overall was in a very peaceful and joyful place in life. It just felt so much easier! I also had moments where the adoption seemed SO FAR away, and I would honestly wonder if we could ever even adopt. All these expenses going into things like Home Studies, which all expire after a year. I would find myself here and there looking at our home study and thinking "man time is going fast!".

Ok, so, before I forget. It was one night over a year ago (I have the exact date marked in my Bible) where I couldn't sleep. I was talking with the Lord and just asking Him to somehow encourage me (guess I was in a rough spot at that moment.;)). I had been learning SO much about Him and would hear people say "and then the Lord told me", and I had been learning more about what that means, and how He really speaks to me/us. I had never felt like I heard him so clearly as this night. I was almost asleep when I heard him say go look up Isaiah 26:17. I remember thinking, ok, that wasn't you God. And I am way too tired anyway. And it is probably just going to be some generic verse. But, then I said to myself, HELLO! You were just asking him to speak to you! And that verse literally came out of nowhere! So I go and look it up and here is what it says.
Just as a pregnant woman

writhes and cries out in pain as she gives birth,
so were we in your presence, Lord.

I immediately started crying. Not so much bc I knew what the verse meant.:) But because I knew it was Him speaking to me, telling me He sees me and is right here walking the journey with me. I then proceeded to read the entire chapter, tear it apart, try to find the real meaning, the hebrew or greek meaning, etc etc. That did not good. :) So I took a step back and just decided to take it for what it was worth. Although, I did think that it meant I was pregnant. So in the middle of the night I took two pregnancy tests! I must have taken a thousand of those in my lifetime! I am not one good at resisting those things! Anyway, not pregnant. So I thought ok, probably next month. Again, not pregnant. As the more not pregnant months went by, the more I kinda forgot about the verse and thought Hm, I just must have misunderstood what it meant. But thru a series of different things, the Lord showed me the verse meant that I was going to have another child. Eddie and I both long believed we were going to have another child, by adoption. We decided if we ever have a son, his name will be Isaiah- so we can tell everybody what God did for us! To God be all the glory and honor and praise!!  Slowly, time went on, and I just help onto that promise that I felt like He had given us.  One night a couple weeks ago at Bible study, I found that verse. I looked at the date and could NOT believe it had been over a year! It made me look back at the whole year with such thankfulness. It made me thankful that the Lord had not brought another child into our lives yet. I grew a whole lot that year, and God really dealt with a lot of my junk! I needed those lessons! I needed to deal with my anxiety. I needed to deal with my struggles. And I did! And He set me free! (that is whole nother long blog!!). So, the dream of adoption is continuing along in our heart. We had a couple other possible domestic adoptions that fell through or the mom didn't choose it. What a process!! I told my friend who has adopted two that in the beginning it seems like this glamorous thing, but when you get down to it- IT IS NOT FUN. It is hard! It is scary! It made me sick to my stomach at times! Gosh, it just was not at all what I thought it would be (even though i was warned:)).

So the end of the year comes. On the last day of school the teacher that I worked for, Arlin ,gave me a little pack of baby boy stickers. She had been buying fake flowers at Hobby Lobby and out fell those stickers. She said she felt she was supposed to give them to me....she didn't want me to over analyze it or anything, but she wanted to encourage me. I took them and I said  "to me these are just another reminder in a long line of kind and gracious reminders the Father gives me that He sees, that He remembers, that He is near." I walk out to my car, the very last day of school! What timing! I get a text from my friend asking if Eddie and I are still looking to adopt. She told me that there was a baby born in Jacksonville yesterday (his birthday is may 17) and they needed a family asap or the baby would go into foster care. A huge blessing was that it was so much cheaper than regular domestic adoption would be, bc they were in such a hurry! My friend connected me with a friend who connected me with a friend! The first friend, Carrie, just happened to overhear a conversation about this baby...I think...I still have to get the full story from her!! This all started on the 18th and it has been a total whirlwind!!

I call Eddie and speak to him for about one minute. I had no information to give him. I spoke with a lady who said I needed to get our international home study changed over to domestic, needed to scan the home study to them, and needed to send some pictures for the birth mom to look at , along with a letter to the birth mom. So I quickly did this.  We were leaving for Disney vacation on Friday. Thurs came and went and Friday all day came and went. I got the call that the birth mom had decided to keep her baby.  I was devastated. When Carrie first asked me about this adoption, I was driving. I pulled over onto the side of the road and wept. I just felt like LORD THIS IS IT RIGHT?! I truly felt it was Him. Eddie and I were SO excited to have a new baby boy!! It was heartbreaking but we were just so thankful for Leah, and to be able to go to Disney as a family.

Well, on Monday I drove back for kindergarten graduation. Right after graduation (why I missed the entire reception!!) I got a call from  number I didn't recognize. I answered and it was the birth mom! I was completely caught off guard!! She wanted me to go over that night to meet them!! Eddie was in Orlando and I was flipping out! I said yes. Then I got my bearings and realized that was not the best idea, and that I needed to call the social worker for help. They advised me to meet with her during the day in a public place. So, we met at Chili's. And she brought our baby! I was SO nervous, there are NO words!!! But as soon as we started talking, I felt comfortable. I cant at all explain how it felt to be talking to someone who might give me their child for my own, and to be staring at that beautiful baby. Right when I saw him I felt like he was mine, like he was perfect. He was so teeny and so cute. He only weight 5 lb 10 when he was born. The mother did drink, and all the details of that are not known. He could have fetal alcohol syndrome but we are praying for healing and health and wholeness!  One very good thing about this is that if he does have any affects from the alcohol, we can do all kinds of early intervention. More on that later. Anyway, we were there for 4 hours. I have never met someone like her in my life. I think her goal was to petrify me. But she didnt, and I told her that. I told her I knew it was just a defense mechanism for the hurt she had in her life (her and the birth dad have had a rough life!!). During the meeting we discussed Eddie coming and all 4 of us meeting that night. It was too late by the time we left, bc Eddie was in Orlando still. I had to drive back and was so exhausted and drained and kinda loony actually. I missed every possible exit, took every possible wrong turn, and called my husband bawling saying "i cant do this". Finally I made it back to Orlando.

We drove back to Jville the next day to meet with them for dinner.  They were 30 minutes late and us 15 minutes early. Those 45 minutes were some of the longest minutes of our lives. We didn't talk. We just sat there praying to ourselves, so nervous. The dinner ended up going really well and we were there for over 3 hrs I think. They left it that Friday they would sign the papers (this was wed at the time of the dinner). I hated that. I hated having to drive back to Orlando and wonder. We held Isaiah the entire time we were at dinner and we fell in love. He was an angel baby and he was ours. Praise the Lord that she called the next morning and said can you drive back to sign papers today? Hallelujah!!! Back to jville we drove. I cried a lot before leaving there. I cant even begin to explain the mix of emotions. I was sitting outside talking with Eddie and I walked inside and our IPOD was playing. I think God knew I needed to hear this exact like "let now the lost  be welcomed home, those you saved and redeemed, those adopted as your own". Thats when the tears really came. I was thinking oh my gosh, this is it, this is really it. could this really be it? oh my GOOOSSHHHH!!! So we quickly drove back again, went to Target and filled up two carts full of all that we would need immediately (car seat etc), and drove to the laywers office. I asked the laywer if the thought they would show. He said yes, but you can never be sure. When we heard those doors open we were able to breath again! Then they had to go in another room with him to sign papers, and we could overhere them talking some. It was agonizing waiting...wondering...wondering if they were going to change their minds. You see, they truly love this baby. That is why they let him go. Its a long story and I don't need to get into it here, but they did what was best for this baby. They did the right thing, BECAUSE they love him, not bc they were trying to escape.

When the lawyer came out of the room and said congratulations, the tears flowed freely again, among all of us! We went into the room to gives them hugs. We thanked them. We sat in silence. We cried. We walked them out and cried some more. We said how do we thank you for giving us our miracle baby, our dream come true? Words cannot express that. We told them we would pray for them every day. The mom held tight to each other us, tears streaming down, not wanting to let go (she is not a hugger!). Then watching her tears fall on her (but now our) babies face...it was so painful. so so painful.

But, we were soon jumping for joy!!!! All in a matter of 8 days we had our precious miracle!!! Isaiah in the Bible is AWESOME!! And it's all about God adopting/redemption of His people to be His own. We are believing for amazing things for our son. We believe God has placed such a calling on His life...He was not supposed to be here. The mother wanted an abortion but it was too late. She had had 3 other abortions before. When she said "he is not supposed to be here...I guess God has some plan for him", I said You are looking at that plan (meaning our family).

We drove back to Orlando the next day and it was SO fun watching our munchkin meet Isaiah! She has been praying for a baby sister for so long, but says a baby brother will do! She called him my little baby brother....she is so sweeet to Him and so happy we get to keep him! We cannot believe we have a family of 4!! Life as we know it is over!! :) Our house is a total disaster, nothing is ready for a baby, we have no game plan of any sort, we are running on empty, we are exhausted- but its ALL SO GOOD! We pray we remember this story forever and ever and ever!!

Oh, there was another birth family lined up but they booked it outta town and no one ever heard from them. That is why the birth mom said she was keeping him...bc she was really hurt and upset. But then she called down and decided to call. Praise the Lord she called!!

I wish I could print all of you guys amazing emails on here, encouraging us and standing by us! I have a hold folder (well folder on my email) that I need to do something with.

Hopefully I will be posting more updates/blogs on here! I know I forgot a million little details that are so important and special. Pray my brain remembers them so I can write them down, to share with our little buddy someday!! I love you all and am so thankful for you!

Ephesians 3:20-21
 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.


Proverbs 16:9
We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps




Isaiah 55:9
 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts

Happiest day!

We have a son!!

Hello world! It has been months since I have blogged. I started strong but faded quickly.:) Well, it's time to start blogging again BECAUSE WE HAVE A SON!!!!

I have found myself starting this blog so many times over the last couple days, but stopping bc I can't seem to find the words to say what I want. How in the world am I supposed to sum up such a miracle and try to put words to the joy we have in our hearts because of Isaiah Edward White? This story might take a few blogs. It's after 12 am and I am fading fast; but I figure if I at least start, it will be easier to keep going.

So, about 3.5 years ago Eddie and I started trying for our second child. We got pregnant quickly and miscarried, and then the same thing happened again. It has been over 3 years since we were able to get pregnant. These years have been some of the most difficult, emotional, heartwrenching, and painful years we have known. It's hard when you plan your life out and think everything will go a certain way. I thought I would have 4 kids by the time I was 25! Well, obviously that didn't happen. But, it has been worth every second! God hs been SO near and so present in every tear and sorrow. He has made us lean on Him in a way we never had to before. He had made our marriage stronger and our love for each other deeper. He has made us cherish every moment with Leah and not take her for granted. I could list a thousand blessings that have come out of this time period in our lives. Neither one of us would trade them for anything. It has been SO WORTH IT.

During these past years we did a few attempts at fertility treatments (lower level treatments). To be honest, I hated them. It was so hard to invest so much time and energy (every other day ultrasounds, shots, hormones etc etc), wait two weeks, and get the call saying "I am so sorry". Each time I would get the call I would say in a cheerful voice "that's ok! What's next?" Then my voice would crack and I would have to hang up. Then I would go sob. I did a lot of sobbing these past years....the first year was definitely the hardest. Then the tears/pain became more spread out and not consuming. It is so hard to explain. I know for those of you who have experienced fertility difficulty, you get it. For those of you who haven't, it may be hard to understand. You may think "well you already have one child", or something like that. People for the most part were very sensitive and supportive. But there were definitely times I felt totally alone and sad. One day I would be totally fine and peaceful and the next I would be a doubting wreck. People would give their well meaning advice, but really, going through any sort of infertility, there isn't much advice that should be given. There isn't much wisdom or words that someone can try to say that will help. Obviously, people are well meaning. But, I have found that usually with fertility struggles, a listening ear and a hug means the most. If you know someone going throug this- just be there for them. Let them know you don't want to talk their pain away or give advice..you just want to love them.

Anyway, so as I was saying, I hated fertility treatments. My husband was not a big fan either. I know people they have worked miracles for, and I think that is SO awesome. God just had other plans for us. My whole entire life I had wanted to adopt. That dream died for a little bit there, but God used our fertility struggles to ressurect that dream and multiply it many times over! God also did an amazing work in my husband's heart. We no longer wanted to pursue fertility. We no longer found ourselves saying "we just want one more of our own first, then we will adopt." We found ourselves saying "The Lord has called us to do and we will obey no matter what the cost, because His ways are best". Adoption switched from being something that could bring us what we wanted (another child) to a calling the Lord placed on our lives. So, we began the journey.

In the beginning, it was a whirlwind. Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork. Home studies, fingerprints, background checks etc. We got it all done super quickly, and then began the waiting period.
I shared in a different post how we came to plan on adopting thru His Hands in Taiwan (and we still plan on it!!). I shared, I believe, some about Ladybug, the little baby girl we were praying about adopting that had special needs. It was an agonizing period. We fell in love with her. We wanted the answer to be yes. But, we heard nothing. We didn't hear yes or no. So, we said "we don't know". Praying through that whole situation was emotional and painful. At one point we really thought we were Ladybug's parents. We fell in love with her. She lived with my sister and my family, and we got updates about here every single day.

God had other plans. Ladybug has been adopted by another wonderful family and we are so thankful for that. The day we found that out, we were SO excited for her, yet experienced some sorrow too. It's hard to explain. As we looked back on the whole process with Ladybug, we knew that God wanted to use it for good in our lives. We knew, even though we didn't bring her home, that He had a purpose in allowing us to walk down that path.

I know we don't know all the reasons for that yet, and we may never know. But, we do know a very HUGE AND IMPORTANT REASON!!!! It was so that when we got a call saying there was a baby that needed a home, and that his mom drank during her pregnancy, we didn't blink an eye. If we had not prayed through special needs before, I believe in my heart we would have been too scared....because it's unknown. The effects of alcohol on a baby have such a huge range/spectrum. He could be totally fine, or he could be really affected. But, walking through the situation with Ladybug opened up our hearts completely to whatever the Lord would have for us. It made us realize, wow Lord, thru you all things are possible. No matter what you call us to, you will give us the mercy and grace to walk it out! It doesn't have to make sense to us, it just has to be from you. We learned even more so that we wanted what HE wanted for us, not what WE thought would be best. God is the giver of all good things, and we KNOW He will provide us with all we need to raise our beautiful son.

He is crying now, so I am going to post this and get to the details of how Isaiah came into our family as soon as I can! Please excuse any spelling or grammar errors, etc- no time to proof read! I am just speed typing as I sit here and process! :)

Depraved Indifference

My friend posted this video. It is absolutely amazing. I want to be His hands and feet. "Whatever you did unto the least of these you did unto me...."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ

I can't help but think of how much we miss out on when we choose the "easy" way....how those miracles may be stolen from us....

Dying to self

We are learning more and more (although just a teeny bit of an inkling!) of what it means to die to ourselves...that when we are weak, He is strong....that His ways our higher than ours...that we are to take up our cross daily and follow Him!  God is taking us a on journey that is purposeful and beautiful, but also difficult. Below are some quotes that have completely challenged me and spoken to my heart.

This is part of the book "The  return of the prodigal son" by Henri Nouwen. Much of came as a result of seeing Rembrants painting of the return of the prodigal son and what God showed him through it. It's so good, yet so tough too!! Nouwen chose to leave his position at Harvard and being known as a world scholar to go live with disabled people. The place was called Daybreak.

"These years at Daybreak have not been easy. There has been much inner struggle, and there has been mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual pain. Nothing, absolutely nothing, had about it the quality of when I first arrived. However, the move from Harvard to this place proved to be but a little step from bystander to participant, from judge to repentant sinner, from teacher about love to being loved as the beloved. I really did not have an inkling of how difficult the journey would be. I did not realize how deeply rooted my resistance was and how agonizing it would be to "come to my senses", fall on my knees, and let my tears  flow freely. I did not realize how hard it would be to become truly part of the great event that Rembrant's painting portrays. Each little step toward the center seemed like an impossible demand, a demand requiring me to let go one more time from wanting to be in control, to give up one more time the desire to predict life, to die one more time to the fear of not knowing where it will all lead, and to surrender one more time to a love that knows no limits. And still, I knew that I would never be able to live the great commandment to love without allowing myself to be loved without conditions or prerequisites. The journey, from teaching about love to allowing myself to be loved proved much longer than I realized...."

"Certainly there were many hours of prayer, many days and months of retreat, and countless conversations with spiritual directors, but I had never fully given up the role of bystander. Even through there has been in me a lifelong desire to be an insider looking out, I nevertheless kept choosing over and over again the position of the outsider looking in. (In this he is talking about Rembrandts painting of the prodigal son....when he saw it he realized he wanted to be the son, in the tender embrace of the father....). Sometimes this looking in was a curious looking in, sometimes a jealous looking in, sometimes an anxious looking in, and once in a while, even a loving looking in. But giving up the somewhat safe position of the critical observer seemed like a great leap into totally unknown territory. I so much wanted to keep some control over my spiritual journey, to remain able to predict at least a part of the outcome, that relinquishing the security of the observer for the vulnerability of the returning son seemed to close impossible. Teaching students, passing on the many explanations given over the centuries to the words and actions of Jesus, and showing them them the many spiritual journeys that people have chosen in the past seemed very much like taking the position of one of the four figures surrounding the divine embrace (in the painting). The two women standing behind the father at different distances, the seated man staring into space and looking at no one in particular, and the tall man standing erect and looking critically at the event on the platform in front of him- they all represent different ways of not getting involved. There is indifference, curiosity, daydreaming, and attentive observation; there is staring, gazing, watching, and looking; there is standing in t he background, leaning against the arch, sitting with arms crossed, and standing with hands gripping each other. Every one of these inner and outer postures is all too familiar to me. Some are more comfortable than others, but all of them are ways of not getting directly involved.

Moving from teaching university students to living with mentally handicapped people was, for me at least, a step toward the platform where the father embraces the kneeling son. It is the place of light, the place of  truth, the place of love. It is the place where I so much want to be but am so fearful of being. It is the place where I will receive all I desire, all that I have ever hoped for, all that I will ever need, but it is also the place where I have to let go of all I most want to hold on to. It is the place that confronts me with the fact that truly accepting love and forgiveness and healing is often much harder than giving it. It is the place beyond earning, deserving, and rewarding. It is the place of surrender and complete trust."

"Many are deceived when they suppose that the death of self is the cause of all the agony they feel. Actually, their suffering is caused only by the remains of life. Pain is seated in the living parts of the body, not the dead parts. The more suddenly and completely we expire to self, the less pain we experience. Death is only painful to those who resist it. The imagination exaggerates its terrors. The spirit argues endlessly to show the propriety of the life of self. Self-love fights against death, like a sick man in the last struggle. But we must die inwardly as well as outwardly. The sentence of death has gone forth against the body as well as the spirit. Our great care should be that the spirit of self dies first. For then our bodily death will be but a falling asleep. Happy are they who sleep this sleep of peace!"...

"we must bear our crosses. Self is the greatest of them. ...if we die we have but little to do on the last day...what we so much dread in the future will cause us no fear when it comes- so long as we do not allow its terrors to be exaggerated by the  restless anxieties of self love....these little daily deaths will ultimately destroy the power of the final dying!"

It is powerful and amazing to learn what it means to die to our flesh- whatever the outcome of this may be. He is using it! Thank you for continuing to pray!! love you all, Bren

Please read. This little one needs a "forever family"!

One Less? Will you help Ladybug, and make it one less? Hi His Hands Family, Do you remember last December when you received a special e-mail about a baby everyone called "Buttons"? I know you have been keeping up with his progress and it is amazing what has taken place in his life as a result of all your all your prayers, concern and a very special family that God had picked out just for him. Well...I've said all of that to say I am another one of those special babies that has been referred to His Hands Taiwan. My Aunties call me Ladybug, they say they call me that because I am so cute. They say I am extra special so they want a family, who has completed their homestudy, to choose me. When I was born I had no heartbeat. I found it impossible to breath with a rope wrapped around my neck two times, they called it my umbilical cord. Just as Buttons had his difficulties, I have come to the House of Hope with my own special needs. The first time I met the team of His Hands Taiwan was about three months ago. I knew they had to be very special people because even though they had been told about my "special needs", they were still willing to come and visit me. They were so excited to hold me. Some of them were even crying and smiling as they looked at me. They were all ready to bring me home but the doctor told them that I had trouble swallowing and sucking. They huddled in a circle and came back crying without any smiles this time. They said I was too hard to look after so they left me in my hospital bed. What they didn't know is that I just don't like things to touch my lips. You see, so many of the people helping me have put things in my mouth that hurt me, like a breathing tube, a suction tube and a feeding tube. A month later two of the beautiful women from His Hands came to visit me again. I decided that I would let them touch my lips this time in hopes that they would take me home.  I 'showed-off' and drank 30cc's of milk. Even though I let them touch my mouth they left me. I could tell by the look on their faces they were not happy about leaving without me and I just had a feeling I would be seeing them again.  Last week we met again and this time they made a GREAT choice and decided to bring me home. I have decided that I will not drink and I will cry if anyone touches my mouth.  My aunties tell me that I will quickly learn how to use a bottle but they do not know how stubborn I am. I am hoping they just give up because being fed through my tube is just fine by me. I think eating through the tube is much easier for them too. They do not have to fuss with bottles and stopping throughout the day to feed me. They just have to hook me up to the syringe and gravity does the rest. Once I am old enough to eat solid foods I am hoping all this will change. I know they have all been doing a lot of research and I hear rumors that I will be able to chew and swallow when I am a little bit older. I just don't get the sucking thing, why would I want to suck on rubber???? They have tried to put a rubber thing in my mouth and it had no flavor, I think I heard them calling it a pacifier, all I can say about that is YUCK!!! I have overheard my aunties whispering to one another about how easy I am at night. When I was a few days old I gave the doctors and nurses a scare by shaking my whole body. After that they gave some medicine each night to be sure it did not happen again. This medicine makes me very, very, very sleepy so I usually go to bed at 8:00pm and sleep until 8:00am. I think this makes me a very boring baby but my aunties do not seem to mind. Currently I feel very secure, I get a lot of attention, a lot of snuggles ...well just let me say everything I need is well taken care of. I've seen other babies where I am staying and I hear people talking about a "forever family",  I'm not sure what that means. I have decided I am not going to concern myself with whatever that is. I know these aunties are taking care of me now and when my "forever family" comes to get me I will understand. Just as you prayed for Buttons I would like to ask that you pray for me. From reading the above you have an idea of the needs I have. I am sure you will be hearing more from me soon. Thanks for your prayers!!!! I love you all already, Ladybug Here I am with my Aunt Cheryl, Uncle John, and my new friend Malachi.

Post from my friend Carrie that I had to share.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Advocating for the Orphan: What I have learned this week

We have spent the better part of last week and this past weekend advocating for a little guy who was born last week and who essentially isn't wanted by his birth mother. Although I can't share many details here, I would ask those who can, to lift him up in prayer. It appears as if we have done all we can and that the state will now step in, but we know that no matter who appears to have control in the natural, that ultimately the Lord holds this little one in the palm of his hands. It has been a LONG LONG week. Lots of time has been spent on the phone, with lawyers, in meetings, etc. There have been many ups and downs for our family, but I wanted to share a little of what God has taught us through this.

Number one: The orphan crisis is everywhere and the body of Christ needs to be everywhere too - This call is not for some but for ALL.

I admit that sometimes I have a limited view of what this calling to "care for orphans" really is. I think too geographically or too much about what we want as a family, or what is comfortable for us. The truth is that down the street from our home there are orphans born all the time as there are orphans born around the world each day as well. It is everywhere, and the Lord needs us just to be willing. Willing to adopt, to foster, to pray, to hold and feed, to meet with birth moms, to change a diaper... the list goes on. We have watched the Lord raise up a spiritual army this week around this child. There are some in it that knew this is where God would want them, and others who find themselves surprised to be there. But it is neat to watch God at work as He shows us all that it takes us ALL to get the job done. There are so many needs that surround each of these little lives, and we should be there in whatever capacity we can. If we don't avail ourselves to this work, than who will? Sure each person is called to this in different ways, but have we made ourselves available? Are we willing to do whatever is needed in this crisis, regardless if it is next door or halfway around the world?

Number two: it is worth the fight.

I can tell you over just this past week, we have been overwhelmed even unto despair at this situation. "Why doesn't God just step in and do something?" we cry. We have pushed back because it seemed too much, but He just keeps giving us more to do or pray for. But the truth is, God never pushes back with us, so how can we look into the face of one of His precious children and say, "enough is enough"? There is a very real battle being fought for each orphan in the spiritual realm, and who do you think should be fighting this war? It's me and you, it's the body of Christ, we are the warriors God needs here. After all didn't He call us to take up our sword and sheild? We are the warriors, the question is can you and I see the battle and are we willing to fight until the Lord draws the white flag?

Number three: Advocating for the Orphan is not so much about the end result as it is in the little steps of victory.

Yes, we all want to see every child of God in a loving christian home. And yes a great end result is always our hope, but are we willing to take the next step? Are we willing to just love on a baby and care for a baby not seeing the end? I don't know about you, but this is a hard one for me. I want to know the end. I don't want to offer my heart if there are no guarantees. And while we should be wise and prudent to protect our hearts and family, can we still be willing to love like Jesus, with no conditions? God needs His people to be His heart expressed practically in love to orphans. He needs us to take off our blinders and human limitations and love like He will be back tomorrow. This is our job folks, the responsibility does not lie with the government or with some organization, it is us who should be His hands and feet. So weather it is adopting a baby from across the globe, or feeding a little one who has no mama by his side, or interceding on a orphans behalf, we just need to be there. We need to make ourselves available and ready and I think, God will do great things.

This week has been a good reminder that you can get no closer to God's heart than when you care for the heart of an orphan, because that little one is at the center of His Heart.