One of Our Missions

    I don’t know if we’ve mentioned this in our blog before but one of our missions in this adoption is to be proof to others that adoption is doable.  I know what our reasons were for not going forward with an adoption and I don’t think we’re that different from other people. Our desire is to show is that it’s not far-fetched, unattainable, too hard, too complicated, and most importantly… it’s not too scary.   We’ve prayed over this particular point extensively.      

     Since I’m on the subject in this post (by design) I feel I should clarify something…  We totally appreciate Todd asking for prayer on our family’s behalf! We truly appreciated him acknowledging our adoption process to the congregation!  However, there may have been a misunderstanding about questions… We genuinely appreciate it when people ask us about the adoption.  Adoption is a total mystery to most people and are happy to help explain it!  What Todd meant was that maybe the questions could be “How can we pray?” rather than “When do you leave?”  We wanted to let you know that we appreciate either. Your questions are welcomed!

       (Back to the post…)  We’re not saying everyone should adopt… although if we all did there would no longer be an orphan crisis.  The point is… don’t do nothing; there’s still plenty of need out there in many different areas!  Our enemy would love nothing more than for us to be frozen and ineffective because of fear.  …Fear of the unknown, fear of messing up, fear of rejection, fear of opinions, fear of our past resurfacing, fear of being inadequate… All Jesus wants is a willing, obedient heart; leave the rest to Him.  Seriously, it’s that simple!  We humans try to over complicate things, but really all that complicated over-thinking is just a hindrance to whatever it is Jesus wants for you. 

    Hebrews 12:1 tells us “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”   It goes on to point out in v.2 that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith… He knows the most effective way to grow YOU.  Your life’s story is being written by Him!  Throw off what holds you back! This verse requires an energetic reaction; a response. I could site many scriptures that support how when we’re walking in obedience that God is behind us; the Creator of heaven and earth has our back!  (Ex. 33:13-14, Jer. 29:11-14, John 14:21, Rom. 8:28, Heb. 11… to name a few) That fact should inspire and empower us! THIS is where our confidence and faith comes from… not from ourselves.  Words cannot describe the fullness of joy the Holy Spirit has given us knowing we are exactly where God wants us to be; it dwarfs any fears we may still have…

    SO… since we’re obeying what Jesus has asked us to do, does that mean it stops being scary?  …Uh, no.  It’s still scary AND we’re going forward in faith.  Both can co-exist.  We just choose not give the scariness too much attention.  Acknowledge it, fine, but don’t dwell on it because that would please the enemy and he’s not the One we’ve set out to please in this.

          Our adoption is well within an average adoption time frame for Lithuania. (Each country is different so if you’re thinking of adopting internationally study up and pray for God’s direction!)  We’ve had a relatively bumpless road thus far, nothing uncommon to Inter. adoption. (And we definitely appreciate it!) Our bumps will come though, you can’t do God’s will without opposition; it’s inevitable. Given how many health issues our little one has there are several potential bumps right off the bat, not to mention all of the unknowns!  But I can say even now, it will all be worth it because I “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Rom. 8:28)   …And we do love Him.  We need to remember though that “for the good” does not usually mean easy or fast or fun.  It means that this is what is required to help transform us into who Jesus wants us to be. (Rom. 12:1-2) 

     The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish God’s will; with Him all things are possible!!  My personal theme verse for this whole thing starting way back in Oct 2013 is Jer. 33:3 “Call unto Me, and I will show you great things!”  So that’s what we’re doing.  It’s been an incredible experience; He has shown us great things already!  I can’t wait for what is still to come… 

A progress update…  We got our I-800 immigration application approval!!!  This means that, God willing, we will be getting our travel date this week!  That would mean we could be leaving for Lithuania by the end of THIS MONTH!  WOO HOO!!  (*insert happy dance*)  Also, last week John-Patrik got the package we sent with the doll I made, a photo album with all of our pictures, and some clothes.  The ladies there were so thoughtful and took pictures of him opening it and playing with his new doll.  They say he hasn’t put it down since that day. (Need a Kleenex?  Yeah, me too!)  This month he was moved to a room for slightly older children and hasn’t been able to play with the original doll he loved so much and what I modeled this one after so he was very happy. The house mothers there call it his little girlfriend.   (The blur is the doll that he keeps swinging around.)

All for Him,

            Meg and Rich