This has been an incredibly difficult blog to begin, and challenging post to write. The coward in me fears what people will think if I share openly about what our family is doing right now. Ever the people pleaser, I think "what if people think I'm selfish?", "what if people question my motives?", "what if we recieve critisism for the specifics of our choices in this adoption?", and lastly "what if I am thought of as unworthy to do this?".
That last question caught me off guard in my head. My Father tapped on my heart. "Have you already forgotten what I have done?" he whispers. Of course not......but I have. Let me be honest here.
I am absolutely unworthy. I have fallen short a hundred different ways as I have lived with the challenge of wanting to serve Jesus and batteling with the brokenness of my sinful condition. I have been selfish. I have misrepresented myself before. I have done things with poor motives. I have sinned in blatent rebellion of the Holy Father who loves me. I have lived the life of a broken child in desperate need of the Grace provided through the cross of Jesus Christ.
"Have you already forgotten what I have done?"
No, for I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that HE has redeemed me. The last few years of my life have been a radical journey for me. God got ahold of my heart and asked for my devotion. He showed me how very much he loved me, and asked for my love in return. He has transformed so many aspects of my life that I can scarecly catch my breath. He has asked for sacrifice that was sometimes incredibly painful. He has replaced every piece of my life He has asked me to surrender with overwhelming love and compassion. He has left me breathless, asking Lord, how can I thank you?
So here we are. Broken but obediant. So much in our lives have led to this point. An example early on as my parents were obediant in foster care. A special needs sibling, inspiring a life devoted to the least of these. A passionate church, surrendered to the call of James 1:27. And thousands of oppurtunities to see the great need, and the truth of what breaks the heart of God.
About a month ago we fell in love with a child through the ministry of Reece's Rainbow. And so we are beginning the process of adoption. We are currently doing our homestudy, and when it is complete we will excitedly introduce you to the newest member of our family. In the mean time we have much to do and prepare, and we are asking for your help. If God is pricking your heart, do not ask if you are worthy. None of us are, but let your love be an outpouring of thanks to Him. If God is asking you to pray for our family, Thank you! We are blessed and honored by it. If he asking you to donate to help bring an orphan into a forever family, then Thank you! We are blessed and honored by it. And if God leads you to great need that breaks his heart in other ways besides our adoption, then Thank you! We know his plans are best, and we are blessed by that too. I will be posting more with some of our fundraising oppurtunities and keeping those watching updated as much as possible. For now we have set up a pay pal account linked on our blog. Thank you for visiting our blog. We can't wait to see what God does next!
Sincerely,
Dale and Carrie
You are such an answer to prayer. I was quite excited to get your link from RR. You see, I have been praying for your child for about a year now. I first saw her photo when the comments said that she was about to be transferred to an institution. So I prayed that she would have people there to love her, help her to potty train, and give her hugs. So I was later SO pleased to read that she was actually in a pretty good place. But, really, I mostly prayed for a family for her because THAT is what makes the most difference. I KNOW because I have an adopted daughter from India who came home to us at 4 years old. God Bless your journey!
ReplyDeleteAnne-Marie (in WA)