Sweet Girl

Remember that sweet girl from Ukraine we hosted for three weeks over Christmas?

Well... she's the reason I haven't spent much time blogging lately. Or rather, filling out paper work for her adoption has been keeping us rather busy. Did you catch that?

WE ARE ADOPTING IRINA!

I am thrilled and excited to finally announce the news. We've been pretty quiet about our journey, but oh what an exciting journey it has been. I hope that over the next few weeks I'll be able to carve out time to bear witness to how God has been at work. He has been at work in so many ways!!! I'll be blogging over at Our Christmas Guest to share the story of our last four months to keep a record of God's faithfulness. We are hoping to travel to Ukraine and bring her home this summer, so the count down is on. Can you believe it? I am nesting like crazy. ;)

Will you join us in praying as we prepare for this special girl to become a part of our family? Will you pray for Irina as she waits for us? She knows we are coming and has accepted our offer to become a part of our family. Will you pray for her safety and protection these next few months? Will you pray for us as we complete final paper work and training? Thank you in advance for praying. Can't wait to blog more soon!

Whisper in my ear...

God has been whispering to me a lot lately. Do you believe me? Do you really trust me? What are you afraid of? Are you living my Word? Precious sinner, I love you so much that I sent my Son to die for you. You are cherished and loved. Go and love others.  As I study His word and read scripture, I'm challenged by what it really means to be a follower of Jesus. Am I quick to repent? Am I quick to put others needs before my own comfort? Not in a "do-good" attempt, but in a "I love you so much Jesus, that I want to follow you" way?

I'm learning a lot about how much I'm a sinner. Yet, God is bringing me from a place of condemnation to a place of joy and hope. He wants to change me and I'm beginning to slowly trust that He can change me. I haven't seen evidence yet, but I'm praying that as I slow down enough to listen to Him it will begin to happen.

I recently read the book Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis and I have to say it knocked my socks off! If you've never heard about it, it is the story of a nineteen year old girl who felt called to move to Uganda to care for the fatherless. Out of obedience to the Lord, she left behind a life of great comfort and settled in an area that is full of poverty, sickness and children who are all alone. She started a ministry called Amazima and adopted 14 children along the way! Oh my! (If you want to learn more, read her book found at the link above.)

The story about Katie's life in Uganda is clearly written from a place of humility and obedience to Jesus. It is a story of selfless love and sacrifice and gives glory to God alone. My first reaction was, "Okay Lord, how can I turn away? How can I ignore that there are children who are hurting and in need of Your love? You have blessed me with so much Lord, what do you want me to do?" And I  still feel that way with lots of unnecessary fear mixed in.

However, what I was also really challenged by was to take God's word more seriously. To study it. To live it and breathe it. It says in James 1:22, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Even if God is only calling me right now to love my family and love my neighbors, He can help me to do it faithfully and in a way that gives Him glory.  And then quickly repent when I fail, which I will!

I have to share this passage from the book:

In our fear, even many of us who claimed to believe in Christ were failing to do what He said for the least of His people. 

Fear. It's part of human nature, but it's not something we got from God. Second Timothy 1:7 says: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." When I imagine God creating each one of us and planting a purpose deep in our hearts, I never imagine that purpose being mediocrity. While the Bible doesn't tell every person on earth specifically what his or her life's calling will be, it does include a lot of general direction. 

     "You are to find me in the least of these." Yes.

     "You are to leave your earthly possessions and come follow me." Yes.

     "You are to love and serve the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself." Yes.

     "You are to go and make disciples of all nations." Yes.

     "You are to show mercy." Yes.

     "You are to live a live of mediocrity and abundance, holding on tight to your comfortable lifestyle, lest you lose it." No. 

I certainly don't believe everyone should sell all of their belongings and pack a suitcase and move to Africa. I don't think people all over the planet should drop everything to go somewhere far from everything familiar and be missionaries. In fact, I believe anyone can be a missionary right where they are. 

Every day, we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places, as I did when the rat was in my room. We can let fear of something that really is small compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone's world. Life to the fullest exists. It's available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it. ~ Katie Davis

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Sacrifice and Blessings

I am struck today by the sacrifice that is made by families who choose to adopt or participate in foster care. However, I am also really encouraged by the stories of the amazing blessings that come with that sacrifice. Today was our Orphan Sunday event at church and I'm so glad I participated in it!

I have no idea what God has in store for us, but I do know that there are many other ways I can also be involved. Here are some ways I'm challenged to be involved:
1) PRAY! Pray for orphans worldwide. Pray for children growing up in foster care. Pray for families who have adopted. Pray for the church to grasp God's heart for the orphan.
2) Give sacrificially to reputable orphanages. Sponsor a child in an orphanage.
3) Support those who have adopted or who are fostering by providing a meal, helping with housework, offering encouragement and prayers.
4) Go on a mission trip to an orphanage.

I am so thankful for all the hard work done by the folks in our Missional Community Group 

to make it happen and very honored to be a part of the event.

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:5-6

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

The boys were excited to represent WEPC Orphan Care Ministry with their shirts. 

It says "Love on a Mission" on the cross and on the back is the verse Psalm 82:3

Orphan Sunday

Until this summer, I paid very little attention to orphans. I knew in my head that there were orphans all over the world, but I saw no reason to concern myself with them. I knew of people who had adopted, but I sort of had the attitude, “That’s great for them. That’s not for me.”

Then this summer, I got to spend a little time with a former neighbor who had adopted two little boys from Taiwan. They had already adopted one of the boys and then later learned he had a sibling, which they welcomed into their home as well. As I listened to her talk about their journey and read her blog, I was struck by her love for these boys that were not biologically hers. God began pricking my heart.

And God continued to work in me. I “met” several women this summer who adopted children for various reasons and from various places.  (infertility, God’s calling, stateside, internationally) I stumbled upon a couple blogs from some women sharing their adoption journey and I couldn’t pull myself away. I found myself captivated and very emotional. Praying for these families with a new compassion I never had before. I don't think it was accidental that I was confronted with adoption so much this summer.

This fall my husband and I were invited to join a Missional Community Group at church.  This particular groups mission is Orphan Care. Isn’t it funny how God works? He was already preparing my heart and I think He knew just where he wanted us. 

This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. Did you know that there are more than 143 million orphans worldwide? Our church is hosting an “Orphan’s Table.”  We will share an "Orphan's Breakfast."  While we have porridge and water (modeling what 143 million orphans around the world will also be served), we will hear from a panel of men and women who are involved in various aspects of orphan care. There will be a large resource table with multiple ways to get involved with orphan care. We will also spend time in prayer for the cause of the orphan. If you are local, would you consider coming Sunday to West End Presbyterian Church at 9am? Either way will you join me in praying for the many orphans who are in need of love?

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." Psalm 82:3