Good question. Believe it or not, Keith felt lead to adopt a boy from Ethiopia in November of 2008 during an event highlighting the plight of orphans, particularly in Ethiopia. God spoke to Keith's heart while Tom Davis spoke to our intellects. Plans were in the works to expand our family, but we weren't thinking of adopting, not then, at least. I think we always thought it was a possibility after Joshua was older, as in a high school student. After time to think it through, we decided to be obedient to the call. We officially turned in our application about 2 months later in January of 2009.
Incidentally, God spoke to me at the same event, " . . . not an orphan, an orphanage." Huh? Did you say a whole orphanage, God? I'm still not sure what it means. I know that I will hear more when the time is right.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Hunch
Before I drifted off to sleep last night, I told Keith that this just might be our week. I have a hunch, a feeling, that our referral is coming this week. I've been wrong before. I'll be okay (yet disappointed) if it doesn't come, but it would be remarkable to document my hunch and to see it happen! Now that this is posted, we'll all see. This is absolutely not scientific or factual. However, I have a couple of reasons behind my hunch.
#1: We're "on deck." This means in the America World circles that we received an email (on January 27th, I believe) which states that we're projected to receive a referral 1-3 months from the date received. 2 months and counting . . .
#2: Many families are passing court. This means that they've received their referrals and are passing the next step before traveling to Ethiopia. The bottle neck before us is lightening up.
#3: A friend shared with me at bible study tonight that she dreamed we received our referral this week for one 3 month old boy and one 4 year old boy. We did request one or two precious ones.
#4: My mom and dad are visiting this week. Keith's mom and dad are visiting this weekend. I'd love to share this with them.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
I am certain that Jesus lived in this world, died on a cross, and rose from the dead three days later. He conquered death. This Easter, I will celebrate my hope in Him. I do not see the Spirit speaking on behalf, but I am certain that I being represented because of the promise found in Romans 8:26. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Keith, Joshua, and I have prayed countless times for our family including our adopted children. We prayerfully made the decision to adopt. I love being firmly in God's hand. He knows the date of our referral. Without a doubt, His timing is perfect. I have faith that this referral is coming. I have faith that God is at work although I can't see His hand.
#1: We're "on deck." This means in the America World circles that we received an email (on January 27th, I believe) which states that we're projected to receive a referral 1-3 months from the date received. 2 months and counting . . .
#2: Many families are passing court. This means that they've received their referrals and are passing the next step before traveling to Ethiopia. The bottle neck before us is lightening up.
#3: A friend shared with me at bible study tonight that she dreamed we received our referral this week for one 3 month old boy and one 4 year old boy. We did request one or two precious ones.
#4: My mom and dad are visiting this week. Keith's mom and dad are visiting this weekend. I'd love to share this with them.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
I am certain that Jesus lived in this world, died on a cross, and rose from the dead three days later. He conquered death. This Easter, I will celebrate my hope in Him. I do not see the Spirit speaking on behalf, but I am certain that I being represented because of the promise found in Romans 8:26. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Keith, Joshua, and I have prayed countless times for our family including our adopted children. We prayerfully made the decision to adopt. I love being firmly in God's hand. He knows the date of our referral. Without a doubt, His timing is perfect. I have faith that this referral is coming. I have faith that God is at work although I can't see His hand.
Need Technical Help
Obviously, I am still trying to get a handle on the layout. Why does my text sneak to the side of my photos? I don't want the text to wrap around. Where are my techie friends?? What should I do to fix this?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Looking for a Glimpse of God
I am studying Esther and just read these words from Chuck Swindoll.
"God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence. Who of us has not longed for a word from God, searched for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for the reassurance of His presence, only to feel that He seems absent for the moment? Distant. Preoccupied. Maybe even unconcerned. Yet later, we realize how very present He was all along."
Even when His presence isn't made known, He is there. I am not asking for His silence, but I have felt it more than once in this adoption process. This is a good personal reminder that God is listening and orchestrating our families even when we don't see his hand.
Danielle
"God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence. Who of us has not longed for a word from God, searched for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for the reassurance of His presence, only to feel that He seems absent for the moment? Distant. Preoccupied. Maybe even unconcerned. Yet later, we realize how very present He was all along."
Even when His presence isn't made known, He is there. I am not asking for His silence, but I have felt it more than once in this adoption process. This is a good personal reminder that God is listening and orchestrating our families even when we don't see his hand.
Danielle
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Questions and Answers
I've been chewing on a question for a few days.
How can I best document all that has gone into our adoption process through today?
Some families start their blogs in the earliest stages, recording important mile markers along the way. We're jumping in to the adoption blog world a little later. Our paperwork is in. WHEW! Our dossier was sent to Ethiopia on 12-11-09. Amazingly, we began the process on 1-26?-09. Over the past year, we've been burdened for orphans. Yes, burdened. God has been changing us from the inside out.
After recently attending two adoption events, a CBC Mug-N-Muffin (think women, coffee, great speakers, tears and laughter) and a Sunday class highlighting the Martine's adoption story, I've seen the value in documenting one's thoughts and experiences throughout the adoption process. Videos, blogs and photos are incredible testimonies of God's ability to perfectly knit together a family. They tell a story, a personal testimony.
The details of today might be forgotten next year (or next week) if not documented. So, I'd like to answer a few questions that I've asked myself or been asked over the past year. Help me out. Please send me questions regarding our adoption decision and the process thus far. My goal is to be as transparent and authentic as possible in order to leave a history of this incredible journey.
Look for the answers to:
Which adoption agency did you choose? Why?
Why did you pick Ethiopia?
What was the hardest part about the paperwork process?
What's next? How does the adoption timeline look?
What made you decide to adopt?
Are you crazy?
. . . and more
How can I best document all that has gone into our adoption process through today?
Some families start their blogs in the earliest stages, recording important mile markers along the way. We're jumping in to the adoption blog world a little later. Our paperwork is in. WHEW! Our dossier was sent to Ethiopia on 12-11-09. Amazingly, we began the process on 1-26?-09. Over the past year, we've been burdened for orphans. Yes, burdened. God has been changing us from the inside out.
After recently attending two adoption events, a CBC Mug-N-Muffin (think women, coffee, great speakers, tears and laughter) and a Sunday class highlighting the Martine's adoption story, I've seen the value in documenting one's thoughts and experiences throughout the adoption process. Videos, blogs and photos are incredible testimonies of God's ability to perfectly knit together a family. They tell a story, a personal testimony.
The details of today might be forgotten next year (or next week) if not documented. So, I'd like to answer a few questions that I've asked myself or been asked over the past year. Help me out. Please send me questions regarding our adoption decision and the process thus far. My goal is to be as transparent and authentic as possible in order to leave a history of this incredible journey.
Look for the answers to:
Which adoption agency did you choose? Why?
Why did you pick Ethiopia?
What was the hardest part about the paperwork process?
What's next? How does the adoption timeline look?
What made you decide to adopt?
Are you crazy?
. . . and more
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hello Walt Disney World!
Sometime last summer, Keith and I challenged each other to run another marathon. This time we wanted to run together. We chose WDW's Marathon (Jan 10, 2010) because it sounded like a flat, fun, and warm course. We were right on 2 out of 3. As you'll soon see from the photos, Orlando had a record breaking cold front during our 5 night stay. The marathon was flat, fun, and very, very, very cold. The photos below are from the warmest day of our trip.
Squirming and restless . . .
Awaiting his turn for a photo with Pooh Bear and Tigger . . .
Getting ready for the photo shoot using Disney Superstar sunglasses . . .
Sometime last summer, Keith and I challenged each other to run another marathon. This time we wanted to run together. We chose WDW's Marathon (Jan 10, 2010) because it sounded like a flat, fun, and warm course. We were right on 2 out of 3. As you'll soon see from the photos, Orlando had a record breaking cold front during our 5 night stay. The marathon was flat, fun, and very, very, very cold. The photos below are from the warmest day of our trip.
Squirming and restless . . .
Awaiting his turn for a photo with Pooh Bear and Tigger . . .
Getting ready for the photo shoot using Disney Superstar sunglasses . . .
AT LAST!! The entire family (Papa Tom, Keith, Joshua, Gigi, and me) with our Hundred Acre Friends . . . Notice who isn't smiling!!
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