Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Why We Adopted


            I stood on a table, arms stretched up hanging curtains. My husband came in and sat down in the chair next to the table I was on. His face was serious and I could tell he was concerned about something. He said he felt like the Lord had been telling him something for a year, but he was afraid to tell me because he didn’t want me to ‘freak out.’  Don’t freak out. Whatever he says don’t freak out, I told myself.
            He said every time he read his Bible, listened to a sermon or a Bible teaching tape he felt the Lord saying we should adopt two more children. I stepped back in shock, not sure I had heard correctly. With arms still up in the air I wobbled the table and almost fell off backwards. “What?” I asked.  He repeated his words as I climbed off the table, giving him my full attention now.
            We never talked about adoption. God already blessed us with a girl and a boy, and I had to have a hysterectomy after our son was born. We thought our family was complete. Although, I always dreamed of having four children, after the hysterectomy I gave up that dream.
            My heart raced with excitement. Two more children? I was thrilled beyond words, ready to fly to the nearest orphanage and bring more children home. Calm down. Don’t freak out. I kept repeating in my mind.
            Wanting to be one hundred percent sure he had heard the Lord correctly, we agreed to pray about it for thirty days. We prayed. We discussed. We talked to our kids about the possibility and they were excited. We felt confirmation that this was what He wanted us to do.
            As only God can do, He was already working out the circumstances and the timing of what would happen next. One of our neighbors recently opened a Christian adoption agency. She came over and told us all the steps involved in the adoption process, and there was plenty to do. First, there was a home study that needed to be done. We had to have physicals to prove we were healthy. We had to show copies of our taxes to prove our income. A social worker came and interviewed each member of our family. There were files of paperwork to complete.
            We were excited and nervous. We did not know what we were getting into, only the strong impression that God was leading us to adopt two more children.
            We turned to the Bible. What did the Bible say about adoption? We were surprised to find the concept and practice of adoption throughout the Bible.
            Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.   (Exodus 2)
            Rachel, Jacob’s wife, adopted her maidservant’s son, Dan.  (Genesis 30:6,7)
            Ruth was adopted by her mother in law, Naomi.  (Ruth 3:16-18)
            Esther was adopted by her uncle.  (Esther 2:7)
            Jesus was adopted by his earthly father, Joseph.  (Matthew 13:55)
            And most importantly, we, as Believers, have been adopted.
          
            Ephesians 1:5 says: 
“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing 
us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, 
and it gave Him great pleasure.”

  Adoption is a miraculous event. Join me here each day in October for the roller coaster ride of  ups and downs and loop de loops of heartache, love and  blessing in
                                                            Our Adoption Adventure.


23 comments:

  1. as the adoptive mother of a precious girly, I am super excited to read this series!

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    1. Thanks Natasha! There is just a special bond between families who have adopted, isn't there? What is your 31days link? I'd love to follow.

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  2. As a mama of two boys with a desire to adopt a child or children one day and a husband who isn't so sure, I am really excited to read more.

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    1. Keep praying Jennifer. The Lord will make it clear to you both. Glad you are here. :)

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  3. I LOVE to hear about Awesome God adoption stories! Can't wait to read about yours. We have 4 wonderful children through adoption!

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    1. Me too Christine! I love to hear awesome God stories and love to share them. God is so good! What is your 31 days about? Leave the link, I'd love to follow.

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    2. Not necessarily adoption stories, 31 days of family and friends. There's a tab on my home page. But there's an adoption category. Our youngest's journey is chronicled as she came home from Liberia. I've got some cleaning up to do, so it may not be very orderly :)

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    3. Thanks I will bookmark it and read it hopefully tonight, after I get my next post up! Sounds very interesting.

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  4. Over from the 31 days link up....I just love this. Will bookmark!

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  5. Thanks Anne! Isn't this 31 days fun? It is going to take me more than 31 days for me to read all the other great blogs! LOL! I will follow yours too!

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  6. I was able to find all of your 31 Days blogs. Can't wait to read them!

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  7. Fellow 31 dayer and adoptive mom here. Looking forward to the entire series. Blessings to you and your family!

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  8. Thanks Mary Clare Evans! I am following yours as well.

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  9. Looking forward to reading your posts! We don't have children yet and adoption might be the road ahead of us. I'm not sure. Amanda livinginafrica.net

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  10. What a great story.

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    1. It is definitely a God story. Thanks for reading.

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  11. How wonderful, and a beautiful site too! Love this topic - thanks for sharing such a God-honoring story.

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  12. Today's post (Oct. 26th-almost the end of our challenge!?) caught my attention; so I am starting to read from the beginning...thanks for sharing this journey! I look forward to reading more!

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    1. Good! I'm so glad you are starting at the beginning. It will make more sense to you. I'm glad you found it. There are so many 31day blogs, I want to read them all!

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  13. Hello I am actually in front of you on the 31 days Challenge and I decided to check out this post. I have also had a hysterectomy before I was able to have children. My husband and I had always thought about adoption and really want to it just seems like at the moment because of finances it seems to be something we may have to put off for now. We are still praying continually for the Lord's guidance in this area.

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    1. Finances are tough. I would keep praying and see where God leads you. If He wants you to do it, He will provide the way for you. Blessings on your decision.

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