Thursday, April 9, 2009

Onto the next leg.....

As we close this part of Ashley's journey home, there are so many things that need to be said. When Jay and I began to seriously discuss adoption two years ago...we never could have imagined the road that was before us. One thing was for sure. We were scared, excited, anxious, and totally unprepared for what was to come. One thing we did know...God was calling us to this mission and He had never led us down a path we ever regretted.


Exactly two years ago to this day, we sent off for the information packet from American World Adoption. It arrived on April 18, 2007, and shortly after that, the Lord spoke to us through this verse:

"Now the God of Peace, who raised Jesus from the dead, will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, and HE will get the glory." Heb. 13:21

So much Truth!

He was the God of Peace, ....even when we waited and waited for our LOA.... He equiped us to do His will...financially, HE provided every dime we needed....that which is pleasing in His sight....God commands us to take care of orphans, and is a Father to the Fatherless...and HE will get the glory....it has always been our desire that GOD would get the glory thru this process, and I believe He has!!!

Over and over we have seen the hand of the Lord, guiding and protecting us, even when we had HARD days. Adoption is not for the weak! People are constantly asking me, "was it a hard process to adopt?" That is a tough one to answer, because I want to be honest, but I don't want to scare someone from being open to adoption! So most of the time, I simply answer, "Yes, it was a long a difficult process, but totally worth it!"

People also ask us if we will ever do it again someday. Honestly, at this point we feel our family is complete. But we are totally open to whatever the Lord has planned for us. We have been SO SO blessed by the miracle of adoption, and for now, feel like God has given us a platform to tell people about these precious children and communicate His desire to place them in families.

This blog will continue to remain open in the hope that someone will read it and consider what their family can do for the orphans in this world. By some estimates, in China alone, there could be as many as 3 million children without a family to love them.

The "starfish" poem that is used over and over, may sound a little cliche, but as the story goes.....the man was walking down the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean....faced with thousands of starfish, a passerby asks him why he is throwing them back when there are so so so many....what difference does it make??


His reply....."it made a difference for this one...."


"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family,
that you have brought me this far?"
2 Samuel 7:18

6 comments:

strandfam said...

What a beautiful gift God has given you! May He continue to bless your family, and use you to be His voice, hands and feet. Praising Him with you, for ALL that He has done!

"T" said...

Y'all have been such a blessing to us that went behind/after you. Your honesty is so refreashing. I have love following your journey. Thank you for going where God wanted you to go.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is so encouraging. my husband and I are just completing our adoption formal application. We are considereing special needs. Please pray for us that God will lead us to our daugther soon. The wait time is very discouraging, but we are faithful that God already knows who are darling is. We just need to wait on His timing. Love Hoots mom

4 J's said...

I would love the address to the new blog. musicmanswife@hotmail.com

What an amazing journey you guys have been on and I have loved reading about every step!

jamie b said...

I would love to follow your new blog. I found you through Amy Lynn's blog. My husband and I will soon be 30 and will them apply to adopt from China. I would love to talk (email) with you sometime about everything. Thanks so much! My email is jamierae@bellsouth.net.

Jill said...

I so enjoyed reading your blog as you prayed/waited for Ashley. Looking forward to reading what's to come! Not sure if I'm on the list or not, but if not, I want to keep reading on your new blog. jillaveritt@yahoo.com :)