We attended an adoption meeting tonight and after briefly talking about it with Amy it's clear to us that God is working in our hearts!
The meeting answered some of our questions and brought about new ones. When do we start the application process? Domestic or international? If international, which country? But, then I looked around the room. It was so humbling to be in a room with people who want children, but haven't been blessed with them. Amy and I are considering adopting because we have a conviction to live out the Gospel. They're considering adoption because it's the only way they will ever have children.
Tonight confirmed what I already knew in a way. I've been adopted! With no way to thank my God or pay Him back, He has adopted me into His family. And not because I deserve it or did anything to earn it! He adopted me with one thing in mind....I belong to Him and He desires for me to have a better life, an eternal life! He is my Father and I'm His son! And to think I take being a daddy for granted if I'm not careful! Shame on me!
At this point, it's all about when we adopt, not if. Even with the pressure of how we're going to pay for it and the pressures of what others will think, I know my God is bigger than all of it! And as His adopted son, I know I'm doing just as I should.
I couldn't imagine going through this process with anyone else. Amy, you're my best friend and helpmate.
I love you with all that I am!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
First things first....
So it's been awhile since my last post. In fact, it's been so long that I had no idea that my wife "hijacked" my blog!
With that said, it's incredible to see what God has done in our lives since October! We've been praying for wisdom and God's direction for not only adoption, but also for His guidance as we seek to serve Him with our lives.
Before I comment about the adoption process, let me first say this...
Our church has been without a Pastor for a little more than a year now and while it's been more difficult than I could have imagined, I've been reminded who I serve so many times. You're probably wondering why I'm talking about our church and pastor, but I guess it's just to say this...... God is the provider of my life. He is my audience. Not a church, not my friends, not even my family! I've been reminded so many times that He is going to take care of us! In fact, I can't tell you how many times I've either repeated or read the story of where Jesus says that just as He takes cares of the lilies of the fields and the birds in the sky that He promises to take care of me even more so because I mean so much more to Him!
Whether it's struggling with the current environment at church or with how we're going to pay for the adoption, His calling is clear!
Love Him. Serve Him. Love Others. Serve Others.
It's really that simple!
With that said, it's incredible to see what God has done in our lives since October! We've been praying for wisdom and God's direction for not only adoption, but also for His guidance as we seek to serve Him with our lives.
Before I comment about the adoption process, let me first say this...
Our church has been without a Pastor for a little more than a year now and while it's been more difficult than I could have imagined, I've been reminded who I serve so many times. You're probably wondering why I'm talking about our church and pastor, but I guess it's just to say this...... God is the provider of my life. He is my audience. Not a church, not my friends, not even my family! I've been reminded so many times that He is going to take care of us! In fact, I can't tell you how many times I've either repeated or read the story of where Jesus says that just as He takes cares of the lilies of the fields and the birds in the sky that He promises to take care of me even more so because I mean so much more to Him!
Whether it's struggling with the current environment at church or with how we're going to pay for the adoption, His calling is clear!
Love Him. Serve Him. Love Others. Serve Others.
It's really that simple!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Adoption
Since Russ isn't using this blog, I'm going to hijack it!
Two weeks ago, Russ and I met with an international adoption counselor at Bethany Christian Services. Since before we were married, we have both felt called to adopt, but God has been talking to me about it for about 6 months now pretty consistently. After doing some research online, I felt like Bethany was a great choice for us since they have a strong local presence here in Chattanooga as well as other cities. And, they have a great mission that is strongly Christ-centered.
The meeting couldn't have gone any better. We learned so much information and were able to ask questions about the process- including costs, timelines, etc. Russ even said in the meeting that it's not "if we adopt but when"!
So, why would we want to adopt when we have been obviously blessed with fertility?
This is one question that we know people will ask, and the answer is so simple, GOD COMMANDS US TO! There are so many orphans in this world- even in the United States, and God tells us to take care of them. Maybe this doesn't mean that everyone is called to take them in and raise them as their own, but it does mean we, as Christians, are responsible for these precious children who do not have a home. We feel like God has given us the passion and ability to raise children and if we can save one life (or maybe two!), then we will obey God. We are passionate about not just giving a child a better life, but giving them LIFE. What better example of God the Father's love for us than for us to adopt a child.
Also, if God is real, then we know Satan to be real, as well. In my experience in being obedient to God, that is when Satan wants to attack the most. Russ and I are prepared to wage a spiritual war with Satan. Please pray that our marriage will be guarded along with our own two children from Satan's attacks.
We know there will be challenges - money - being one, but we are confident God will provide every penny and the answer to every challenge. We are excited to start this journey and pray that it will be all in God's timing.
Amy
Two weeks ago, Russ and I met with an international adoption counselor at Bethany Christian Services. Since before we were married, we have both felt called to adopt, but God has been talking to me about it for about 6 months now pretty consistently. After doing some research online, I felt like Bethany was a great choice for us since they have a strong local presence here in Chattanooga as well as other cities. And, they have a great mission that is strongly Christ-centered.
The meeting couldn't have gone any better. We learned so much information and were able to ask questions about the process- including costs, timelines, etc. Russ even said in the meeting that it's not "if we adopt but when"!
So, why would we want to adopt when we have been obviously blessed with fertility?
This is one question that we know people will ask, and the answer is so simple, GOD COMMANDS US TO! There are so many orphans in this world- even in the United States, and God tells us to take care of them. Maybe this doesn't mean that everyone is called to take them in and raise them as their own, but it does mean we, as Christians, are responsible for these precious children who do not have a home. We feel like God has given us the passion and ability to raise children and if we can save one life (or maybe two!), then we will obey God. We are passionate about not just giving a child a better life, but giving them LIFE. What better example of God the Father's love for us than for us to adopt a child.
Also, if God is real, then we know Satan to be real, as well. In my experience in being obedient to God, that is when Satan wants to attack the most. Russ and I are prepared to wage a spiritual war with Satan. Please pray that our marriage will be guarded along with our own two children from Satan's attacks.
We know there will be challenges - money - being one, but we are confident God will provide every penny and the answer to every challenge. We are excited to start this journey and pray that it will be all in God's timing.
Amy
Friday, July 22, 2011
I call the back seat!
So, this is my first post.....ever! And may be my last. Who knows, we'll see.
I just finished a week long speaking series titled Unless for World Changers at Brainerd Baptist Church. Wow! What a wide array of emotions!
The first night, I could've been sick! I was beyond nervous! God showed up though and worked in a way only He could. Then I got cocky!
Tuesday night, I thought I was prepared. I was wrong. I tanked it. But then I heard about students accepting Christ and others giving their lives to missions! Again, God showed up and worked in a way only He could! No longer cocky! In fact, I was sick again! But this time is wasn't nerves. It was the feeling that I let my Savior down, that I let the students and adults participating in World Changers down. I spent the next hour or so reading scripture and preparing for my next teaching time.
Thankfully, Wednesday night was somewhat of an "off night" as there was a block party scheduled. Honestly, I was thankful bc I was exhausted!
Thursday night, I trusted in Christ for everything. Everything! He showed up in such a mighty way! A concert of prayer was scheduled and I had speaking parts to help lead the night of prayer! The good news was I didn't lead anything! The Holy Spirit was hovering over us the entire night! It was amazing! Absolutely amazing! The kind of wow moment and confirms my call to ministry! The kind of wow moment that stirs my heart as to whether or not I'm serving God where and how He has called me!
Tonight, the final night of the week, was interesting. I believe God showed up, but in a different way. I don't know why.....I don't know how. I know God spoke through me and used me, but as the night came to an end, there wasn't that wow moment that I expected. Maybe I was looking and hoping and wanting the same wow moment from the previous night. I'm not sure. All I know is when I left, I felt incomplete. Maybe that's not the right word. But neither is disconnected. I'm going to miss the kids. I want more time with them. I want to speak to them again. I can't. They are packing, preparing to leave. I had my chance. And now it's over. What a weird feeling.
The question that keeps coming up is this....Is it about me or do I believe what I proclaim? That the God I serve is my ultimate purpose, my only purpose. That I'm o.k. with taking the backseat. I think I enjoy what comes with speaking. I enjoy the accolades the pats on the back! I think I enjoy them for the right reasons and the wrong ones. I've asked God to remove the selfish reasons. I hope He does!
The view from the backseat is the best view! In reality, it should be the only view.
I'm tired of driving. I'm tired of worrying. I'm tired of not completely living out what I proclaim. It's not about me. In fact, it's not even about you! It's about God. It's about my life being my spiritual act of worship! It's about being transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I may know and live out God's will.
I'm tired of being nervous. I'm tired of being cocky. I'm tired of being selfish. I'm ready to sit in the back. I ready to live out what I proclaim to be Truth!
I pray that you will join me!
I just finished a week long speaking series titled Unless for World Changers at Brainerd Baptist Church. Wow! What a wide array of emotions!
The first night, I could've been sick! I was beyond nervous! God showed up though and worked in a way only He could. Then I got cocky!
Tuesday night, I thought I was prepared. I was wrong. I tanked it. But then I heard about students accepting Christ and others giving their lives to missions! Again, God showed up and worked in a way only He could! No longer cocky! In fact, I was sick again! But this time is wasn't nerves. It was the feeling that I let my Savior down, that I let the students and adults participating in World Changers down. I spent the next hour or so reading scripture and preparing for my next teaching time.
Thankfully, Wednesday night was somewhat of an "off night" as there was a block party scheduled. Honestly, I was thankful bc I was exhausted!
Thursday night, I trusted in Christ for everything. Everything! He showed up in such a mighty way! A concert of prayer was scheduled and I had speaking parts to help lead the night of prayer! The good news was I didn't lead anything! The Holy Spirit was hovering over us the entire night! It was amazing! Absolutely amazing! The kind of wow moment and confirms my call to ministry! The kind of wow moment that stirs my heart as to whether or not I'm serving God where and how He has called me!
Tonight, the final night of the week, was interesting. I believe God showed up, but in a different way. I don't know why.....I don't know how. I know God spoke through me and used me, but as the night came to an end, there wasn't that wow moment that I expected. Maybe I was looking and hoping and wanting the same wow moment from the previous night. I'm not sure. All I know is when I left, I felt incomplete. Maybe that's not the right word. But neither is disconnected. I'm going to miss the kids. I want more time with them. I want to speak to them again. I can't. They are packing, preparing to leave. I had my chance. And now it's over. What a weird feeling.
The question that keeps coming up is this....Is it about me or do I believe what I proclaim? That the God I serve is my ultimate purpose, my only purpose. That I'm o.k. with taking the backseat. I think I enjoy what comes with speaking. I enjoy the accolades the pats on the back! I think I enjoy them for the right reasons and the wrong ones. I've asked God to remove the selfish reasons. I hope He does!
The view from the backseat is the best view! In reality, it should be the only view.
I'm tired of driving. I'm tired of worrying. I'm tired of not completely living out what I proclaim. It's not about me. In fact, it's not even about you! It's about God. It's about my life being my spiritual act of worship! It's about being transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I may know and live out God's will.
I'm tired of being nervous. I'm tired of being cocky. I'm tired of being selfish. I'm ready to sit in the back. I ready to live out what I proclaim to be Truth!
I pray that you will join me!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Forcing Russ to blog
I'm setting this blog up for Russ to write his thoughts and share them with the world! We'll see how often he does it or if he will actually do it! -Amy
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