When we answered the call to adopt, we said "yes", but definitely set our own guidelines for the process. WE chose to adopt a girl. WE chose Bulgaria. WE chose the age range. WE chose the agency. For all this time we have been waiting - not always patiently for God to fit into our what WE chose.
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend my second Created For Care conference in Atlanta. It is a weekend long getaway for adoptive moms. While I was there God definitely worked on my heart to show me that my "yes" wasn't really a yes. I wanted to be obedient, but on my terms. Over and over, the words from Hillsong's 'Oceans' played through my mind. ---Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger--- If was going to sing those words, I needed to be willing to live them out too.
Kirk and I talked and prayed about our situation and decided we needed to be open to whatever God has for us, broaden our guidelines and see what happened. We contacted our social worker and began the process of changing our paperwork, which was due for an update. Kirk mailed the new home study on March 4th out on March 6th we got a phone call that will change our lives forever.
We had been planning all this time for an international adoption, but God had been planning something different. You see, there is a 8 year old girl in Memphis, who desperately needs a loving home - NOW. After countless emails and phone calls and counseling and obviously LOTS of prayers, we agreed to pursue her adoption.
Our family made a trip to Memphis last weekend to spend some time with "K" and get to know her. We were instantly captivated by her smile and laughter. She lights up a room! She drew immediately to our boys and began to throw a ball and play "Monkey in the middle" with us all. We spent time at the park and Chuck E Cheese before she had to return. On Saturday, we spent most of the day with her and again, we were amazed by her.
The next few days will be filled with many emotions for her as well as our family. We cannot wait for Saturday, our "Gotcha Day"! She will be FOREVER a part of our family.
There is still so much to pray over so I am asking you to please lift up our family over the next few days in these specific ways:
Please pray for "K's" heart to be open to the changes she is about to experience. Pray for God to surround her and protect her heart while her life is turned on end. Pray for peace for her little heart as she is handed over to a family she barely knows.
Pray for Kirk and I as we make radical plans for me to take an extended leave from work to be able to be home with her, homeschool her, LOVE HER BIG. Pray for wisdom to understand when she cries out in anger that she is crying out for LOVE.
Pray for our boys, while they are excited, there is still an apprehension to the unknown. Pray that their hearts are softened to understand her pain and that they will be able to love her in amazing ways too.
Pray for the funds we still need to secure in a very short amount of time. We know that God will provide for our every need, down to the penny.
We are praising God for this amazing blessing and opportunity to pour His love into a life that is broken and hopeless. We are humbled.
Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed, and You won't start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
I am Yours, and You are mine
