humbled

This past week has been humbling. Sometimes when God moves, I just feel humbled that I ever wonder if He does.

We're humbled that people are enthusiastically responding to our church's first ever 'interest meeting' around adoption.

We're humbled that we just found out that the woman who works at Bethany Christian Services (I mentioned her several posts back because she spoke at an adoption prayer meeting I attended and I called and spoke to her the next day about the shortage of adoptive parents in the Richmond area) goes to our church. She's (understandably) hugely supportive of our church's desire to support adoption. Our church is growing fast and I didn't even know she's part of our very own worship community! These 'small world' experiences humble me that there are no coincidences with God.

But mostly, we're humbled this past week by the generosity of dear friends. Friends who (whether they know it or not) were powerfully used by the Lord many years ago to guide us to Him. Friends who have allowed us to peek into what a surrendered life looks like. Friends who, before we knew anyone else who did such a thing -- and did it when my heart couldn't even comprehend it (thankfully, it can now) -- downsized because they were convicted that they had more than they needed and would be living life more by God's design if they had less of what we all tend to strive for (worldly things). These dear friends have left us humbled because they, our peers in so many ways, have come forward to say they want to contribute toward our adoption expenses.

Instant tears.

When I saw the subject line 'want to help' in my inbox, it didn't even occur to me that they could possibly be offering what they offered. We know there are people who are called to adoption, but aren't called to adopt. We've heard the stories. People who are called by God to respond to the orphan crisis, but know God's not calling them to be adoptive parents. I heard a story recently of someone who covered the entire cost of one child's adoption for a family that they didn't even know because what they did know is that God was asking them to make that adoption happen. It's amazing really. Amazing that God can move in the hearts of those who love Him so those who love Him will be His hands and feet. We are His hands and feet, you know? And these friends are being just that.

We are just humbled by this whole process. Perhaps that's the reason behind all this. Perhaps this is the reason we weren't awarded funding by Abba Fund because these are opportunities God's creating to show Himself. I just believe it. Thank you, dear friends. You know who you are. :)

As an update to the changes that are happening in Ethiopia, it looks right now (and things can change, so don't fully hold me to this) that we may stay on the path of not adopting from there because things appear shaky. Our concern is that we could proceed with Ethiopia and get further along in the process -- perhaps having already accepted a referral meaning that we would have our children identified and be pursuing adopting them versus just adopting -- and then they will pull the plug entirely on adoptions there leaving hundreds of families waiting years and years and years for the children they've fallen in love with. This has been the experience for some friends of ours here in Richmond and they're still waiting three years later for their son (whom they've even met) because adoptions are on hold indefinitely in his country. It's a tragedy.

Having said all that, God has placed such peace in our hearts (when there was a time when there was not peace around this idea) that we're to adopt a deaf child from China. Yes, I said 'child' not 'children.' And, as crazy as it is for me to say this because we were so okay with adopting siblings, we feel great peace and joy at the idea of adopting just one child from China (they won't allow two with special needs -- nor will our agency) who is deaf. But we do still feel strongly about our family consisting of at least two adoptive children (yes, we have something with even numbers!) so it is very likely that we'll adopt again. But only God knows what's truly in store for us. And we'll take this one step (and perhaps one child) at a time.

Prayers have been raised to the heavens and we feel they're being heard and answered. We're very grateful. However, your prayers are still very much appreciated. We do covet them. We do ask mostly for discernment so that as each twist and turn comes, we'll know which path to take.

We have a call in to the woman in charge of the China Special Needs program with our agency and will know more about this program and how adopting a deaf child from China will work. I have seen so very many deaf children through various websites that send us automated emails of children waiting to be adopted. It was always an option to adopt a deaf child, even from Ethiopia (our home study stated that we are open to deafness), but it seemed like a long shot with Ethiopia and there are so very many in China. China Special Needs is an extensive program that needs so many adoptive parents to adopt these children. These little cuties will melt your heart.

Let me share this precious scripture that's warmed my heart of late:

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Omigosh, I could go on and on about each little bit of these verses and how they resonate with me, but it's probably pretty obvious.

Love to all!