My sweet sister-in-law, Maggie, wrote us an incredible email in response to my post yesterday. Mostly in response to my confession of being so sarcastic and cynical a few weeks ago about adoption. And I feel like I need to repent and apologize here for that. It is not something to be taken lightly, and in our heart of hearts, we definitely did not really mean what we said to those friends. Still, adoption is such a sacred and blessed and from-God calling and I grieve that I shared our faulty sentiment with those friends, and now, again, with all of you. Please, please forgive me for writing that, because I don’t believe sharing it (especially in that context) was God-glorifying or people-edifying. (I’m going back to edit the post, so I’m sorry if you get it again via email.)
Maggie so generously reminded us of the truths we know, but easily forget, and her email couldn’t have been more timely. And she shared some “link love” herself which I want to share with you because of how much the Lord has used it to bless and encourage and convict me today.
She shared this song (which you can get for free if you want, but it would be awesome to donate to adoption through this family), and some truths she pulled out of it:
-”If I am richly loved, then why do I fear? If am richly loved, and you are right here, if am richly loved then what else do I need? I am richly loved by my eternal king.”
-”Even when I draw back, he never pulls away, withdraws, but pursues me.” Who on earth is like that!? You have to keep pursuing and drawing near to these boys, to adoption in general, and to Him.
-”You are not a God who lets me down.”
-”And when my heart is slow to praise you, you do not let go…In this season I am learning you’re not silent or slow. If you only give me more of you, it will always be enough. YOU are the prize.“
-Any proceeds go to help fund adoptions!!
Seriously, get this song and be reminded over and over again of these precious truths.
Thank you, Maggie.
Hello sweet readers.
I know, we’ve been MIA. I’m so sorry about that. I have some sweet photos to put up, and catch up blogging to do, and I really need to write an adoption update. This next week or so might bring us some answers and news (maybe good, maybe not). There’s a lot more and I really will try to wrap my brain around how to share it all with you all.
But right now I wanted to share with you some sweet reminders we’ve had of the miracle of adoption.
We so often we forget WHO’s writing this story and our feeble hearts get anxious and fearful and oh, so weary. our adoption journey has definitely not been what I hoped it would be and we get discouraged all too often. I am SO incredibly grateful for the people the Lord has placed in our lives who remind us of what he’s up to, whether they know it or not.
Eric and I had the great privilege as newly weds to be in home group with this dear family. They were some of the first friends we shared with about going to Japan and then about Noa being born. We loved being in their home, which was full of life with their 4 children and new puppy. Their youngest, Alex, had just been added to their family through adoption, and I remember just marveling as I held him at how unaware he was of the incredible blessings God had poured out on him in giving him this family, and being equally struck by what a blessing and gift he was to each of them.
Anyway, even though we haven’t lived near each other for half a decade now, I am so blessed by how God uses them to encourage and bless our growing family still. I can’t begin to tell y’all how timely some of her words, in either blog posts or personal notes, have been for us as we’ve walked this road. I am ever so grateful for God’s work in this family, and how it has overflowed to bless us.
And all that to say, you will love reading their stories, but if you can’t read them all, you have GOT TO READ this one. THIS is what adoption is about. Oh, it just makes me weep with joy that God is doing this. Praise HIM!
I have been hesitant to link on here some of the many wonderful articles or blogposts we have read that have encouraged, challenged, and blessed us on our adoption journey. The main reason is just that – there are SO MANY, and I was afraid that if I started listing a lot, no one would read anything… you know how that goes, right?
But, inspite of that, I decided it was worth it to start sharing a few that I think will bless you too. And, if you’re close to us and want to better understand where we’re coming from and where we’re going, these may help.
So for starters, here is one of my all-time favorite posts about the “why” of adoption. I read this last February or March and it was one of several catalysts that began us praying consistently about this possible call from God. Thank you, Rebecca, for passing it on to me! Please take a minute or two to read: I Don’t Want My Children To Be Happy. You won’t be sad you did. 
And a more recent find, Growing By Two Feet, has also been a huge encouragement. (Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your family’s story with me!). This family just brought their little guy home to 6 older siblings, and I have so appreciated her candidness about the difficulties and the joys. My favorite so far was this post about the state of an orphan’s heart and the mending that these precious ones need. Please watch the video at the end. It definitely gives us perspective on what to expect when we bring the boys home. I am just so excited that our boys are orphans no more – I can’t wait til their physical situation (home with us!) reflects this reality.
So, that’s only two, and two that are definitely worth your time. Enjoy!
