Sitting here trying to think of something wonderful to write...and coming up with nothing. So, I will do what I do best: throw out some random thoughts....
Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork...BLAH!!!!!! Currently, our paperwork is in the hands of the American gov't. Once again, for the third time, they are doing some sort of search with our fingerprints, etc, to try to figure out if we are indeed "fit" to parent another child. Let's hope their search doesn't include interviewing my neighbors or the life guard at our pool or.........or......
This week we got a HUGE gift! Some very kind American woman visited my daughter's orphanage just this last week. In short, she fell in love with my daughter, took lots of pictures of her, found out from the orphanage director that she was already matched with a family (us!), came home and did a huge search to figure out which agency had her file, and then Holt put us in contact. Once we connected, she sent us about 30 pictures of our baby girl and a few sights surrounding her orphanage.
As only an adoptive parent can understand, this gift to us was priceless.
My heart has now connected.
Without a doubt, the most common question I get about adoption is related to the cost.
At the moment, all I have to say is, "they are worth it!"
Dude, she is worth it!
The second most common question/comment I get is related to the number of children we have.
I assume to almost everybody our kids look like a herd. But to us, they are six dynamic and beautiful individuals made in the image of God. They are His. They each have their own unique stories and personalities and giftings and weaknesses and challenges. When they are your own, you don't see them as a mass. So, when people freak out a bit that we have "so many" kids, while I understand their viewpoint, I see it very differently. We are basically an old married couple, that is still madly in love, that gets the privilege of sharing life with 6 individual fascinating creations from God.
I NEVER wanted a "bunch" of kids. 3 or 4 max is what Marc and I agreed upon prior to marriage. However, as time goes on, we see more and more about how this is not our story....it is NOT about our plans....this is God's story. It is ALL ABOUT HIM. We could try to make it our own story and not follow Him to what He has/is calling us to do and life would probably feel much much more comfortable. But then we would miss out on the greatest plan of all, His plan.
Don't be afraid to follow His plan for you. I think it often involves giving up comfort. But it's worth it! Don't trust me, trust God!!!!! Bob Goff said, "When we're not afraid anymore, we start doing stuff." Yep. Living a life following Jesus truly is the greatest adventure!!!!!!!!
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.
Proverbs 19:21
The fear of the Lord leads to life.
Proverbs 19:23
