Sunday, February 24, 2008

Baby Boom



We are so fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends, most of whom we know from church one way or another. This group is very supportive and we feel blessed to be a part of this group. Nathan and I have the privilege of directing our Sunday Small Group Bible Study (whatever we are supposed to call it - we say "Sunday School"). I don't want to sound like I am using flowery words when I say it is our privilege, because it truly is our privilege. We LOVE these people and are so thankful for the love, kindness and encouragement they show to us. We often thank God they are in our life.

When you lead a group of young married people, you know there are going to be a lot of people who are starting their families. I want to tell you about this group. So far, there are way too many kids for me to count out of our 30 - 40 member class. I would estimate there are about 40 children so far. This year already one of the couples in our class had twins and another is expecting twins. If you can believe it, there are 5 couples who are expecting babies sometime this year, rumors of another couple and a couple of more families who would like to add to their family. This means that by the end of the year we could have 6-8 more babies from our class alone! We like to say, "If you don't want a baby, don't eat the refreshments!"

We are thrilled to share this path in life with our friends! For those of you who are praying that God will add to your family - we are praying for you too. We've been there and many days we feel like we are there!

We love you guys and thanks for allowing us to lead our class! You make our job easy!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Wish I Had More to Say



I have been delaying writing a post because I had hoped to be able to report that our Home Study was finished and approved by today, but I am disappointed to say that it isn't finished yet. We are hoping to receive word on it soon - hopefully in the next two to three weeks. When I get frustrated like this I try to think about the verse at the top of this blog. I know God has this all planned out for us and our baby - He knows the right time, this right baby and the right situation...sometimes I loose sight of that fact.

So...my husband loves lighthouses. I put this picture on here to see if you could guess what this picture has to do with this post. Any guesses?

I am adding a couple of new links to my side bar. These are families who are in the process (one way or another) of International Adoption...they are in the process of adoption or have already adopted. I thought you might enjoy their stories. I have met (through the internet or otherwise) so many interesting people through this process. This has truly been an unexpected blessing of this journey.

Have a great week and please pray that our home study is finished soon!

Monday, February 4, 2008

You know you are an adoptive mother (or you should be!) if:



1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has ever made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child, there would be no orphans in the world is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real"
parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken a airplane ride half way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacy's you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word Dossier means and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have them in your life.