A very special Mother's Day

Indeed, it was a very special Mother's Day for our family because we announced and shared with our extended families the following news:

We're Adopting

a Little Sister from China!

Jeremy and I have been feeling called to adopt during the last year, and more intensely over the last 4 months.  Even prior to having biological children, we discussed adoption and our desire to adopt at some point.  It is exciting (and slightly scary) that we are now at the point of saying “Yes” to adoption.  But we are trusting and putting our faith in the Lord that He will lead us through this process.

The Lord’s calling to us came through many sermons that we have heard recently that weren’t even about adoption.  The Holy Spirit was clearing speaking to us.  One particular sermon that left a lasting impression on us was titled “The Unpredictable Jesus.”  This sermon was about the birth, life and death of Jesus.  We were personally challenged when asked what would happen if we lived a humble and unpredictable life?  Would we rather live a predictable controlled life?  It would be totally predictable and acceptable for us to have another biological child.  But we feel that God is calling us to reach outside of ourselves, and to “not love with words or tongue, but with action and truth (1 John 3:18).”  There are an estimated 147 MILLION orphans in the world wanting and needing a family.  We are excited and humbled to be a small part that brings the love of a family and love of God to a child in need.

Earthly adoption is a blessing because it is a reflection of how God adopts us into his family.  “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-6).”  Adoption is done by choice and by love.  When we choose to believe and accept that Jesus died for us, we can be adopted into God’s family and have eternal life.  We, as a family, are choosing adoption so that we can provide one of God’s precious children a future full of love and hope.

The boys are super excited to have a sister.  Trevor even added “The Sister that I want” to his family tree at school even though we hadn’t been talking a lot about adoption lately.  Evan will tell you that he can’t wait “to be a big brudder.”  We are thrilled for them to experience adoption and to have other cultural experiences.  We are blessed to live in a community that has other China adoptees, and a Pittsburgh chapter of Families with Children from China.    

We know that the Lord has chosen a special child for our family, and we look forward to seeing how this all unfolds.  We already pray for our new daughter’s heart, that she will know that she is chosen by God and by us.  There are so many wonderful biblical examples of being chosen.  One very important woman of the bible, Mary, was chosen by God.  The Lord chose Mary, held her in high regard, and found her with favor because she was faithful to Him.  Upon being told she would become a virgin mother, the angel tells her that “nothing is impossible with God.”  Mary replied “I am the Lord’s servant.”  She acted in faith right away to God’s calling.  When God calls, we respond!  God chooses us too.  He chooses us to do His purposes.  We are stepping out in faith, following His calling, and excited to get started on this journey to our daughter!  We look forward to seeing how the Lord works in this journey, and pray that this will be a testament to His faithfulness because “nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

We are excited to be using a fantastic Christian agency called Lifeline Children's Services.  They are based in Alabama, and have a respected China program.  In fact, the China adoption authority (called the CCCWA) has just granted Lifeline with 8 new orphanage partnerships.  This is very unprecedented and exciting.  You can read more about it here at http://lifelinechild.org/orphanage-partnerships-in-china.

We anticipate that this will be a 12-18 month process.  I'm anxious to get started, and we are hoping to get our home study started in June. We will be adopting through the waiting child program which means the child could have a special need like development delay, birth mark, blood disorder, repairable cleft lip/palate or heart condition.  While we have some ideas of what we think we can accept, we will wait upon the Lord and follow His leading to the child He has for us. 

We covet your prayers as we begin this journey, and pray that you will be touched and blessed by this journey also!   

“In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”  Proverbs 3:6