FAITH

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

We are so thankful for the overwhelming support and love we have been receiving since making our adoption announcement. There are some however, that are very cautious about our decision and have questioned it. I have a lot I would like to share with you from my heart and I pray that this is read exactly as God has placed it in my heart...

Those who know my husband and I would more than likely attest to the fact that we are two of the biggest planners there are. We want everything laid out before us. We like to have everything in order and organized. With each child we had two names chosen before they were even conceived. We wanted to know the gender of the child as soon as an ultrasound would allow because we felt we needed to begin planning their nursery and preparing their clothes. We are planners, so it obviously came as an absolute shock to many that we would take this huge leap into adoption within weeks of God placing it in our hearts.

Let me just put all of your minds at ease and answer the question you have been thinking...yes, we are crazy, but crazy about God. We are placing full TRUST in Him. We are laying down our PRIDE. Trust in God and pride in oneself cannot go together. Those are two pieces of life's puzzle that will never fit. There is no room for pride when you place full trust in HIM. We now see many things so clearly that we had never seen before. He has opened our eyes to so much. We understand, there are many things we cannot comprehend of how they will happen, because we are not suppose to. HE is in charge. He is leading this journey and we are suppose to follow and share His works. We are completely relying on HIM. It is very easy to think, "Yes, I am going to rely on Him." However, when was the last time you fully relied on Him? That was a question my husband and I had to ask ourselves and the truth is, never. We have never fully relied on Him. The ways of this world tell us that I can do anything...I can have my cake and eat it too...I, I, I. Only HE can do all things and it is through Him that we can do all things when we are living for Him and following His will.

Our pastor's sermons these last three weeks have been delivered directly to our hearts. Yesterday, his sermon was on Elijah. Pastor shared where just as Elijah had his moments of wanting to stop; we have all had moments where we want to give up. We, just like Elijah, did not think we could handle what God had placed in front of us...this journey was just too big. However, just as God shared with Elijah; He is sharing the same message with us...that this journey is too big for you; but it is not too great for ME! NO JOURNEY IS TOO GREAT FOR GOD!

We serve an amazing God and our God has not changed. The world changes, people change, but God is everlasting and just as He always was and forever will be. There are over 147 MILLION orphans in this world and He has called us to make that number one less. So, there are no doubts or fears here that this adoption is going to happen. We may be looked upon as crazy or completely radical for the path we are choosing, but we are fine with that. We are the ones that are going to have to answer to God someday and we are not going to have Him tell us how disappointed He is that we didn't obey when He asked us to adopt. How can we call ourselves followers, but refuse to follow? Whatever it takes, we are going to bring the child He has planned for our family home with us and we are going to teach that child about the amazing God that we serve. God who loved our child so much that HE gave HIS only begotten Son to die, so that that child could live with Him in heaven.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.