Any Questions?

Q. Why are you adopting?
A. God called us to adopt. It was a desire He planted into our hearts - based upon a principle planted in His Word over and over again:
Psalm 10:14 "...thou art the helper of the fatherless."
Psalm 68:5 "A father of the fatherless ... is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 82:3 "Defend the poor and fatherless..."

Q. I thought you were licensed foster parents. Why not adopt domestically?
A. We are still licensed foster parents in our county, and we plan to keep our license current. In fact, we are open to placements in the future.Obviously, there is an enormous need for sincere love and quality care for children who find themselves in unfortunate situations. However, the goal for a child in foster care is almost always reunification with his or her biological family. Provision of foster care for a child (especially an infant or toddler, for which we are currently licensed), although vastly important and still a burden of ours, does not guarantee an adoption. We will continue to keep that door open, watching to see who God sends through in the future. Whether it results in adoption or not.

Q. Where are you adopting from?
A. We plan to adopt from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - a country in Central Africa. There are numerous reasons why we chose this country (or it chose us!), and I will try to fully expound upon those in future posts. But for now, I'll leave you with a visual of its location.

Q. Is international adoption expensive?
A. Yes. International adoption is a technical process with many layers to it and numerous people involved (on national and regional levels). The cost varies by country. The approximate cost of a DRC adoption with an agency, including travel expenses, is $30,000.

Q. How will you pay for this?
A. This is the "recklessly-jumping-out-of-the-boat-into-the-sea-of-faith" part. We have no doubt that God equips His called. He has already provided what we have needed so far in this process (international home study, application fees, etc.), and we are trusting Him fully for the rest.

Q. How long will it take?
A. According to the agency we've communicated with, the process for a DRC adoption (usually) takes 8-12 months. We have already checked the first step off the list by having our international home study completed. However, per the agency and their DRC representative, we must wait until Adeline is six months old before we can actually begin the process in country. This could put the arrival of our child from DRC well into the year 2014.

If you have any other specific questions for us, please feel free to ask in a comment or an email. More to come!

Faith-Steps

Someone once told me that God will provide for every step along His journey for us. Under one condition.
He only provides as we first take the step.

This idea reminds me of Peter when he desired to walk on the water with Jesus. First, Peter's desire became action. Only then, Christ met him with the full ability. It would have been one thing for Peter to privately, sheepishly request "water-walking" lessons from Jesus. Maybe at a time when they were alone, when "the guys" couldn't see him struggle in the waves. Maybe at a more "appropriate" time, maybe when the waves weren't so high. But instead, Peter swung his leg over the edge and jumped out the boat, in front of those nearest and dearest to his heart. He cast himself and his reputation into the sea of surrender, straight into the arms of Jesus.

Of course, I can't leave out a crucial part of this story: Peter's faith did falter, and he sank in fear. But Christ's hand was close, and His footing was sure. The point is this: Peter could have never known the full extent of God's provision or his own ability to be used... if he hadn't jumped out of the boat. In front of others. I believe Jesus planted that desire in Peter's heart to show ALL the disciples what could be done with a recklessly surrendered heart. It was for His glory. Christ was magnified.

That's what our desire is for our family. That Christ would be showcased in all that we do. Which is why I'm making this blog public. This is the story of our adoption, the story of our family, and the story of God's family - all overlapping into one.

Several months ago, God planted a desire in our hearts - to pursue an international adoption. We stuck our toes into the sea of faith, tested the waters, and completed an international home study. God placed His seal of approval upon this "faith-step" by reimbursing the cost - to the dollar amount.

Shortly thereafter, we found out we were expecting Adeline! We were, and still are, ecstatic about the gift of our girl. But we've never forgotten about our child to come. Our child from across the world. I truly feel as if I'm expecting two - one in my womb, but both in my heart. One is due in October. The other is due in well over a year. Both of them eagerly anticipated. Both of them just as much a part of who we are as Blaine (our almost-three-year-old) is today.

So here we are. Perched on the edge of the boat, ready to jump, in front of all of you. Making our "faith-step" public. So that Christ might be glorified.

Unchartered Territory

By the title of my blog, you may wonder if I'm hoarding a delicious secret. Maybe you've inferred that my life is one of constant joy. You could even assume that this is a record of my weight loss journey after popping one too many buttons. Well, I hope that glimpses of all three ideas (yes, even the last one!) will rise to the surface as I share my days with you.

To be honest, my life is simple - yet drenched with the love and anointing of our Almighty Creator. I'm not anyone special, but God has had my name etched into his heart before seconds began to tick on the clock of our universe. Although I am just one person among millions, God has chosen to be my Father and my Friend. Sometimes it's difficult to see this past the dirty diapers, the thrown-together meals, the hectic schedules, and the many disappointments with my imperfect self.

But the truth is this: God has a divine plan for my life woven on the threads of His heavenly love. Circumstances may be delightful one day, then difficult and demanding the next. But it's always a life saturated with grace.  

And THAT is why I'm bursting at the seams.