Big big news here! No, we’re not pregnant, but we are “expecting”…expecting miracles from God - for Him to glorify Himself in the work He has begun in us…! We have been called to a mission field. God has planted a desire in Tom and me simultaneously to do something we never dreamed of, or expected we’d have the resources for. Are we going to Africa to become missionaries? No – China , actually. To disciple others and lead by example? Yes, but not how you’d expect…this particular calling starts with bringing home one precious little child who has actually already been born, but doesn’t have God-fearing parents – technically doesn’t have parents at all. Can you believe we’ll have a brown-eyed child in our sea of blue…we are in the early stages of international adoption from China .
We have been praying about this for well over a year now, actually. All the while thinking “If you say so, God, but us, really? We are not those that have any moments void of excitement or challenges (ever!)… we don’t find ourselves wondering what to do with our extra time and cash, since we have surpluses of neither…besides, we can mix up some fabulous kids biologically…”? Well, He has shown us that though we don’t have some of the gifts and resources He has bestowed on others (you know, the ones who would appear to have been a better fit for this), we do have a heart for those who don’t know Him, faith that He can accomplish anything He desires in and through us, and enough love to train up a little one that He wants to use to impact the world for His name’s sake. Every day we teach our boys to love like Jesus does, serve like Jesus, even if it means to sacrifice when it’s hard… to go out of their way like Jesus would to love someone that may have otherwise been rejected…and now He is giving us the chance to live that out in our own home, in an incredible way.
Over the past month and a half, God has put an urgency to this thought we’ve had in the back of our minds for so long, and through some of the most intense prayer of our lives, we are surrendered to Him like we never have been before, honestly. We are ready to be His hands and feet; excited, but well aware that those hands are scarred, and feet dusty. We don’t want to just say “what would Jesus do in this moment?” like we ask our kids all the time, but we want to do it! We are so humbled to be invited by God to serve Him our whole lives long in this way.
Since late 2008, I’ve been saying, “this is ‘your baby’, Lord…so I trust you are protecting and providing for this child even now, wherever he/she is.” Now we are trusting that He will provide all that we need to get our little one here, and equip us with just what we need to complete the good work He has begun in us as parents to this child, and to our boys. Because we require His riches and strength, we are set up to watch Him do miracles – I love that only He can make this happen (“His baby,” right?). Please pray for us and with us as we watch the Father’s power and provision at work, and as He prepares us for this forever-long ministry and the growing of our family. We’ll keep you posted…we should have a name and a face to share with you in a few months!
We hope you are encouraged to ask God to plant His very desires in your heart and watch them develop…He has a plan to prosper us (and how He defines “prosper” will be the mystery you get to live out with access to His power!)…What a ride, huh?
Due 10:17-19
17 “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality…He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice…he shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners…
2 Cor 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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