Our Family

Our Family

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Lessons From Veggie Tales

Well we are waiting again. The holding pattern is becoming the pattern of our lives. We pray for miracles during this time. First and foremost, we ask that you pray for quick approval from the Filipino government...they are noted to be very, very slow (I typed that slowly for emphasis).

Since our God is bigger than the boogie man, Godzilla, or the monsters on TV (thanks Veggie Tales) then He is also big enough to watch out for you and me (sorry, I could not resist). My prayer is that we will be able to go to the Philippines before Christmas...that's right Christmas 2011. That would be a miracle of God just to get everything completed and approved. But how cool would it be to have our new daughter home to spend my favorite time of year with us. We could have no greater gift.

"We have what you need at the Stuff Mart. All you need is lots more stuff." Sing it with me :)
In all honesty we don't need a lot more stuff, but we do need to finish raising money. Our final and largest check is due when we get the ok from the Philippines. That could be today or two months from now. We just don't know. Since we don't, we have to have the money in the bank ready to go. If you have been led to give and have been waiting until the adoption was closer, this is your time. Send checks to: Mission 1:27, PO Box 99086, Louisville, KY 40269. Donations are tax deductible. We need to raise about $6,000.

As I close out today's blog, I feel led to type/sing one more thing. It expresses how we feel about our God, His provision, and our friends.

"I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!

For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
Thats an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!"

Thanks to all those who have helped or will help bring our child home!
Darren

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Journey Continues

Last week Jenna and I received a file on a little special needs girl. She turned 6 yesterday. She is beautiful but has some possible health issues that we had to navigate through. We spoke with three doctors. Each gave us their opinion. I am happy to say with each question to the Philippines came a response that put her health into a better light. So with two days to spare before the deadline we have decided to move ahead with her adoption. Our paperwork still needs to be approved as does the specific child. We are believing for God's will to be done in this phase of the process. If it is not His will then we pray the government blocks it in some way. If it is His will we could be welcoming a beautiful 6 year old to our home in a few short months.

Oh how much to do. We need to raise an additional $2,100 for the adoption plus $4,000+ for travel expenses. We have to rearrange Natlalie's room to make way for bunk beds, buy clothes, medicines, luggage, etc...etc...etc.

At the beginning of the process it all looked rather daunting. Now we can begin to see light at the end of the tunnel. We are being careful not to get too attached to her (if that is possible) just in case it does not work out. But at the same time. Some of the things have to be done just in case we get the call to go to the Philippines.

We have not done a lot of formal fundraising, but God has provided for every expense. I am sure he will continue to do so. If you are reading this and would like to help us bring our child home, please make a comment here and I will tell you how you can help.

Thanks to all who have continued to pray for us during this journey. We need it now more than ever.
The Journey Continues!

Darren

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wisdom in Silence

This week mom and I are reviewing a file for a possible child. What a tough decision. Is this the child we have been waiting for? Are there issues that we can or cannot handle? What about feeling guilty if you have to say no? These are the emotions of the adoption journey. You have to be honest with yourself. You can't make a decision that will have eternal consequences based on guilt or excitement. You need to hear from God....but what if He is silent? What then? Is God's silence a yes or a no? What does it mean?

This morning as I continue to contemplate and pray, seek counsel from doctors and other adoptive families, God shows up. Not in a "yes this is what you should do" or "this is not the child I have for you", but in a word...Wisdom. As I think through this I find myself asking a question. "What is the purpose of wisdom?" If God is always saying yes or no to every question we ask, why do I need wisdom?

Perhaps our wisdom is to help us when God is silent. Maybe this is His way of helping us through when there is no clear answer. We sit down and think it through. We use the wisdom that God has given us. Our wisdom allows God to speak to us in a different way. Not the trumpet blast, "yes do this", but in our ability to navigate and make wise choices.

So this morning, though I do not have an absolute answer, I am confident in the wisdom that my God has given mom and I. In the end this wisdom will lead us to the right choice, to the right child.

God thank you for your wonderful wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to  you." NLT

In this and so many situations God speaks in different and unusual ways. Perhaps there is wisdom in silence.

Love,
Daddy

Friday, September 2, 2011

Water from My Rock

Son or daughter,

Today I am giving you a devotional thought.

Most Christan's know the story of how the children of Israel complained to God...again. They begged for water. God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead he lost his temper and beat the rock with a stick. Now Moses was punished for disobedience. He was not punished for losing his temper. (Ex 17)

In life it is easy to lose it sometimes. It's okay. God can handle my anger. He can handle it when I lose my temper. He can handle my frustration. None of these things surprise Him or catch Him off guard. He knows the weakness of my sinful nature. He knows the trials that I go through from day to day. He knows because He has been there. The key is not sinning in our frustration. Remember what Paul says in Ephesians 4:26 "Don't sin by letting anger control you." It is not a matter of getting angry. The problem comes when anger moves us to get even.

Now if human nature is such that we easily fly of the handle, what do we do? The answer is found in Christ. Go to the Rock for water. He is our solid footing. He is our foundation. He is our spring of life. When we daily come to Him, He changes our human nature into His nature. He makes us more like Himself each day that we come sit at His feet. I don't want a drink form the Rock, I want to submerge myself in His grace and mercy. I want to see His face and feel His breath. I want to know that my Rock is always there and He is working to change me from the inside out.

When you go through trials, as you will in the transitions of adoption, I hope we can teach you early on that it is ok to get angry as long as you do not act on the anger. It's a process. It's a lesson for life, a lesson that takes time to learn.

We love you with all our hearts.

Love,
Daddy