God's Way...Not Ours

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."  -  Jeremiah 10:23

Even though our adoption journey is just beginning, Jenny and I have been encouraged and amazed at how God is guiding our steps and decisions.  At times it really does feel like we're just passengers along for the ride, which is probably how is should feel I guess.  For those of us who like to feel in control of things, it can be unsettling to let go of some much and embrace the unknown, but it is easy when you realize who IS in control.  


As some of you may know, I've been dissatisfied with my career in the last year and have thought about different employment options as a result.  Through alot of prayer though, I felt that I needed to stay put for now and that God had a plan for me there.  In my worldly view, I thought, "well, I guess He's going to bless me with a promotion or some other professional advancement...".  Instead, I started to get a sense of God's plan this week when I learned that my employer was just named one of the top 100 companies to work for for employees that are adopting!  Our benefits package allows for $10,000 in adoption expense reimbursement and a number of other supporting services as well!  I'm currently reading through Genesis and was immediately reminded of Abraham's attempt to interpret God's plan for his life through his human wisdom when God told him that he would establish a covenant with mankind through Abraham and Sarah's unborn son.  Since Sarah was a hundred years old already, Abraham couldn't imagine how God would fulfill his promise and instead suggested an easier and more realistic path to fulfillment by simply establishing the covenant through his son Ishmael that he had with Hagar his maidservant. (Gen 17:15-19)  This seems to be a common reflex that we have when we have an idea of what God's plan for our lives is, but try to accomplish it through our own wisdom and not his.  Pray that Jenny and I resist this urge and instead learn to surrender completely to His will and whatever direction it takes us.

There are several other instances that we have been noticing in which we see God's hand leading us and it is really exciting to see the path revealed to us as we go.  I know it drives Jenny crazy sometimes, so pray for patience, but the journey wouldn't be near as amazing if we knew every twist and turn in advance.

Things are certainly ramping up as we head into 2013 and we appreciate everyone's support and prayers.  We'll be including more posts to update you on the progress and any other exciting things we discover along the way.

Merry Christmas to you and yours and Happy New Year!


 

Encouraged

"Do not withhold any good thing from those who deserve it when it is in your power to help them." Proverbs 3:27

 

Do you see this verse?!  I love it!  Every single flippin' day I get confirmation from God that what we are doing is right.  Maybe because that was my prayer through all of this.  If you don't know me well, then I will tell you...I am a doubter.  A self doubter.  Every single decision I make I question.  Except this one.  I mean, I have fears, concerns, etc.  But doubting that it is what we are supposed to do.  Nope.  Not. At. All.  I have heard so many people tell me, "Fear is not from the Lord."  So, I seriously tell myself that at least 10 times a day now.  Last night, I got home from our Life Group and read this verse.  And it's not just about the adoption.  It is about everything in life.  Jesus wants us to serve others.  Even when we don't want to.  :)  And I am the QUEEN of not wanting to!!!   So, I just wanted to share it with you.  Maybe it will move you like it has me.  I am just grateful for little reminders that tell my doubts to shove it.  :)  

So, what else is going on with us?  Not much.  If you are expecting a daily blog post, then you might want to change your expectations!  ;)  Things are moving very slow right now.  Mainly just due to the time of year.  Work is busy for me and Clay is busy as always.  This week we are just trying to complete our applications for our agencies.  We have a local agency that will take care of the home study, dossier, and all post adoption stuff.  And then there is an agency that handles all the international adoption stuff.  Just deciding on which agency to use is progress!  ;)  As far as countries...we are still undecided.  I think we have ruled out Russia.  It is so much more expensive.  And it requires 3 trips.  The Ukraine is only 2 trips, but the first one is 4 weeks!  Can I actually leave my other babies for 4 weeks?   Hmmm.  Bulgaria is by far the easiest of all 3.   The one thing that has us leaning towards the Ukraine, though, is that Jack's school has a program for the high school students that takes them on a mission trip every year to the Ukraine to visit the orphanages!  How cool is that!  Clay had just said that he hopes this whole process becomes a family involvement.  That we could do exactly that one day...take the kids (biological and adopted) back to the country and get involved in missions in that country.  So, already having a program is pretty cool.  But that darn 4 weeks.  We will see.  We still have time to decide.  So you can pray that God would lead us to the country we are supposed to adopt a child from.  ---yes, I ended that sentence with a preposition....do not critique my grammar!  ;)  

We also started talking to the kids about the adoption this week!  That was fun!  Chandler was excited.  She says she wants a sister.  And "no more boys!!" Jack was excited too...as long as "I am still the oldest!"  Jack was also open to the idea of getting 2 kids.  And, so are we....if that is how God directs us.  Everyone says even numbers are easier, right!  Ha!  

So that is all. I am so grateful for everyone's support and encouraging words.  Total strangers have offered their time and help in fundraising.  For those of you who I have not contacted yet, I will....just give me time!  ;)  I really was surprised by the overwhelming response of encouragement.  I only had 2 people look at me like I was completely crazy!!  One was being protective and the other, well, he just thinks the world is going to end soon and all sorts of business, so whatever.  ;)  We will probably start fundraising in the new year, so if you have a service or idea or want to help out, feel free to let me know!   Thank you again to everyone for your prayers and support.  What is that saying...."it takes a village...."   Yep.  We're gonna need that village this next 15-24 months!  We are so thankful for your love and support! 

 

 

Welcoming HIM, Welcoming you

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.  Matthew 18:5

Welcome to our blog.  I will add a disclaimer here on the first day.  Jenny is writing this blog.  Major uh oh.  I am not a writer.  I am a math person.  I like numbers.  Not letters.  ;)  Expect grammatical errors, misspellings, run on sentences.  The creative one in the family will definitely share his thoughts on occasion.  But for the most part, you are stuck with me!  In case you are new to our family, we should tell you a bit about ourselves.  Clay and Jenny met their Freshman year at Baylor University.  After dating all through college, Clay did the only thing guys at Baylor are supposed to do after dating someone for that long....give in and get hitched!  ;)  The first few years of marriage took us on many adventures.  Good and bad.  But, as with all things in life, every circumstance has made us stronger.  Throughout the past 9 years of marriage we have been blessed with two amazingly cute children.  ;)  They have made us grow into responsible adults and have brought us so much joy.  At this point in our lives, many would say that we are living the American Dream!  And, we are.  And, up to a couple months ago...that was right in line with where we wanted to be going!  Two kids, a dog, a nice home, great jobs, cars, family support, and a great church.  What more could you want?  BUT.  There is so much more to be desired in this life.  Our purpose in life is to serve God and serve others.  Are we doing this as well as we could be?  No.  Clay and I realized that our "American Dreams" were pushing God's dreams for us aside.

About 6 months ago, Clay came home from one of his business trips and said he had been thinking about adoption...again.  I say again because this is something we have discussed even before we were married.  We always said that *for us* to have more than 2 children biologically would be selfish.  We got pregnant easily.  And both pregnancies were easy -- minus a little back pain and reflux.  ;)   So, to do that again would be a piece of cake.  We have always said that there are so many children in need.  And maybe one day we could save one of those children.  So, back to the trip.  Clay mentioned the topic of adoption and it honestly startled me.  Because, while we had talked about it, it had been years.  So fast forward a few months.  And during this time the thoughts of adoption keep consuming my thoughts.  Will we?  Can we?  Why would we change how much God has blessed us?  We have it easy.  2 kids.  2 parents.  Retirement, college savings, weddings.  It's all perfectly mapped out.  But GOD did have different plans.  Slowly, each day over the next few months HE began to soften our hearts to this idea.  And, then one Saturday night, while reading a friend of a friend's blog, it happened.  God spoke to me like He never has before.  And.  I knew it was time.  And wouldn't you know, the very next morning at church, He spoke to both of us.  It was adoption Sunday.  Our church showed a video with orphans.  I lost it.  Clay teared up.  We knew.  It.  Was.  Time.  Or was it?  Really?  Are we sure?  Yep.  Because every single time we had a doubt, God would make it clear to us either through our pastor, our devotional, or a random person saying something that would make it clear what we had to do.  Crazy stuff.  Like me reading a blog about adoption and the very next morning at church our pastor using the EXACT same verse in his message.  How does this stuff keep happening!  Well, when God calls you do to something, He doesn't let up.  At. All.  You can choose to ignore Him or choose to follow Him.  And, so, we are opening our hearts and our home.  We are pushing aside all of our "plans" to follow God's plan for our lives.  It may not be easy.  In fact He promises us that it won't be.  I took a little excerpt from another blog: 


"Trials develop godly character, and that enables us to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5). Jesus Christ set the perfect example. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). These verses point out aspects of His divine purpose for both Jesus Christ's trials and tribulations and ours. Persevering proves our faith. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)."

Yep.  Pretty much sums it up.  So, we are beginning the process now.  We are so excited about this next journey in our lives.  We are excited to meet the new addition to our family.   We have not chosen the country yet, but have narrowed it down to Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria.  We invite you, our friends and family, to join us in this journey.  To pray for us and with us.  To pray for our child.  And of course our 2 children already at home with us.  Pray for patience, guidance, and patience.  Did I say patience?  The process can take over 2 years.  Pray for the child.  To know that we are coming for him/her.   We appreciate your love and support.  Obviously, the cost of adoption is not cheap.  Depending on the country, it can cost $35k.   We are not looking at this as us begging all our friends and family for money.  We see it as an opportunity to help a child, who would otherwise live their life in an orphanage, find a place in a family.  To have a mommy and daddy and brother and sister who love them.  And ultimately, to know that God loves them.  If you feel called to help us then that is wonderful.  If you do not, that is wonderful too.  But we hope that all of you will join in praying for us as we begin this journey.