Apparently I'm not the best with blogging since there are months between postings!  So let's play quick catch-up:

~Tim and I continued to be on the fence about domestic vs international adoption.
~We contacted people locally, including lawyers and DFS, to get more information while also continuing to have discussions with international agencies.
~We began to pray about the option of foster care.
~I traveled to DR Congo on a mission trip for two weeks sharing Christ's love with orphans and the people we met (we couldn't use our words since we didn't know the language so God had to show us that there are other ways to show His love.  I loved this because it really emphasized that we shouldn't just "talk the talk" but we should "walk the walk"!) 
~Tim and I finished the DFS application and will be mailing it.

I'm probably missing some things.  Tim and I shake our heads at the fact that God has presented some things and provided the opportunities and we drag our feet trying to understand each step or specific details when we should just be following without question. 

My prayer:
Please forgive us for dragging our feet in your plan.  I thank you for opening our eyes to your will for caring for orphans.  Although we try to understand each detail, I pray that we will trust you completely and not stall because our questions.  Lord, we are here to glorify you and serve you and I pray that our lives are always reflective of this no matter where you lead this family. 
In Jesus' name, Amen.

It has been awhile since I've blogged.  I am praising God that I never hear Him say, "sorry it has been awhile since I've been with you".  During the time between semesters, I had the opportunity to gather all of the information for the adoption.  We had not yet chosen domestic or international, but I knew where God was leading us.  So I jumped in with both feet.  I was ready.  What I forgot was that Tim needed to be able to jump in with both feet, yet he seemed to only have a big toe in the same direction as me.  So I hesitated.  It began to get harder to discuss the adoption when I was moving in one direction and he was waiting.  I had to stop.  I prayed for God to bring us together.  I had to let Tim lead.  I had to let God lead him.  So I didn't talk about the adoption with Tim; I talked about it with God.  I prayed for God to lead Tim.  I prayed for Tim to surrender his concerns about the financial cost to God and let God provide what is needed.  After several days of being silent, which was definetely hard but I was willing to wait months or years, Tim called me and said, "we are ready to fill out the application". 

My prayer:
Thank you Lord for answering my prayer.  We want to trust you with each step.  Please don't allow us to think in terms of this world.  You are so much more than what this world can imagine.  Thank you for the wonderful blessing you are bringing to us and the lessons we will learn along the way.  Protect our hearts from doubts or hesitations.  I trust only you.  Thank you for leading us.  In Jesus' name, Amen.   

My Head Might Explode!

My head might actually explode. I'm imagining it would look like a mixture of bright, sparkling, glittery confetti...and poo. Sorry for the visual. I am excited, yet scared. I am ready, yet need to wait. I am constantly seeking information to the point I'm probably annoying my husband. The information is so overwhelming. Tim and I are moving toward permanent decisions and have not revealed to everyone what might be in store. I am excited and would love to be able to say, "this is the plan", but we will continue to be patient. Through all of this, we are very careful to let only God lead. We desire God's hand to guide and nothing else that might distract. We have so many encouraging people around us and enjoy sharing with you and hearing from each of you.

My prayer:
Dear Hevenly Father, you have blessed us with so many wonderful people who surround and encourage us. This journey is hard. It is unlike anything we have ever encountered. Only you know the perfect plan. We don't need it lined out or to be given a blueprint, we only need to go where you lead. I have no doubts in you, but I doubt myself so often. If something is different, I try to seek answers around me before asking you. Lord, please keep our ears open to only you, so that when you speak, we will hear only you. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for showing us that you have no limits. Please forgive me for ever trying to put my thoughts and wrap my ideas of what is possible around your great plan. You are so much more than I can imagine! I love you Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Chosen by God

As Tim and I sort through the mounds of papers and options for adoption agencies, we are forced to ask what child we would like to adopt. What a difficult question this is! We will have to choose where, what gender, what age, and if we are willing to adopt a child with medical issues. The adoption agencies want to know the answers so there is no way around these questions. Isn't there a box to check that just says "We would like to adopt the child God has chosen for us"? Wouldn't that be the easiest thing to do? In my book, YES, but this isn't my book (or blog). This is God's plan and God's chosen child for this family.

My prayer:
Dear Lord, I pray for your direction and answers to these difficult questions. Please open our hearts to hear your direction. We want to follow you with every step. Please don't let us cloud your guidance with our own thoughts and opinions. You are a mighty God that can do so much more than we can imagine so I pray we won't try to put our ideas and our man-made road blocks in the way of your plan for this family. Thank you Lord. Again I thank you for leading us into our unknown so your glory will be what shines through! I love you Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Journey of a Thousand Lessons

To be completely honest, (not sure why I say that because it's not like I'm walking around telling lies), but I remember with Austin, wondering how I would ever love him as much as I love Peyton.  Oh how silly and immature I was to think that!  God gave me more love for both of my children than I ever thought possible!!!  This morning, I found myself praying and crying for the little one I haven't even met yet.  I don't know a name, a face, or any detail about this precious gift yet God is already giving me love for them.  This journey may take years and I have no doubt that God will teach me something every step of the way.  

I am also so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from family and friends! Thank you!

My prayer:
Lord, thank you for your unending love!  Thank you for the wonderful people you have put in our lives!  Thank you for teaching me more about you and the amazing things you do!  I praise your name with every step!  Thank you for leading us into the unknown so you may have the glory in all of it!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

From the Beginning

I don't think it's a coincidence that I am writing about a brand new journey, from the very beginning stages, on the beginning day of the year (well, with 8 minutes left of the first day of the year).

Tim and I have been praying for a long time about being led to adopt another child but of course we did what we always do.  How can we do this?  What will it cost?  Where do we start?  Will we have enough room?  How will the boys handle it?  Are we ready?  And so on...and so on...and so on...and so on...this has been going on for quite awhile.  We knew the journey God was leading us on, but continued to act like children by asking how, why, when, where...and the infamous "are we there yet".  Only a few short hours ago, we just finished a devotion with the boys about obediently following and God will reveal His plan along the way.  I thank God for speaking to me at EVERY devotion I have with the boys.  So these are the beginning stages of the journey God is leading us on as we open our hearts and home to another child. 

My prayer:
Lord, I pray that you will continue to speak through our family devotions to each one of us.  Please lead every step we take.  I pray that our family will grow in your love and that your love will overflow to others around us.  Thank you Lord for what you have already done.  In Jesus' precious name, Amen.