Adoption Journey - Craiglist for A Cause

Saturday, October 6, 2012

So, despite discouragement from the enemy, my confidence on where God has brought us and what He is asking us to do is reassured by the little things in life. I had lunch with Stacie, who is a co-worker and more importantly a friend, on Wednesday. Time had passed since we had last had lunch together and this was the first time I got to share everything about adopting! Stacie has a sweet and giving heart. She simply looks across the table and says “I’ve got tons of stuff I’ve needed to put on craigslist and get rid of; most the stuff is even barely used. If you’re up to it, and want to help me go through it and list it, I’ll give you 50% of we make to go towards the adoption.” What? Double take! Am I really hearing what I think I am. I feel completely humbled. This is how God provides, totally unexpected, from people whose hearts are open to Him.

So as the week comes to an end, and Saturday approaches, my discouraging moments on Friday, leave me thinking should I call Stacie and cancel? ...should I put this whole thing on hold? Jeremy and I sit down and reassess our hearts and God simply gives us both peace- just persevere is what I hear deep in my heart. And then pops up a text from Stacie, saying call me so we can make plans. It is a small, what seems to be meaningless a text, but it is in these small moments that the Lord tells me “this is me, just encouraging you to keep going, don’t give up! I'm right here, keep trusting me.”

So, our plans are on! I hang out with Stacie, her daughter Abbi, and their new puppy Gus for the afternoon. We go through tons of things, organize, fold, take pictures, and post to craigslist. It was simple sweet fellowship with a dear friend, who so kindly is sharing in this journey! God may I give you all the glory and simply say thank you from the depth of my heart to You! 

Forever Grateful!

Adoption Journey - Jesus Overcomes

Monday October 1, 2012

Well, on Wednesday, September 26th, we received a call from Lifeline’s home office in Alabama, stating that we had been accepted to Lifeline and that we would be receiving emails with tons of info to review and would soon be meeting our social worker. 

On Monday, October 1, we received our Ethiopia and SC Manuals, plus other info to review. It is way exciting when you get those manuals in your inbox, because you can say, “we really are about to do this!”, but at the same time super overwhelming when you open the document and its 102 pages long. 

Well then on Tuesday, October 2, I’m sitting at the laundry mat (washing Dixie and Pixie’s stinky blankets and pillow covers), and I get a call from Sarah, the assistant director of the Ethiopia team which is based out of Kentucky. She explains she is sending me an email listing all the documents we need to pull from the manual, review, sign, and send to her. 

So, on Wednesday, October 3, I get all those bad boys printed off and Jeremy and I sit down to read and discuss each document and sign. So my plan is to get everything in the mail on Thursday, so as not to delay anything! 

Well, I got a real up and close lesson that as just as active is God is in my life, Satan is on the prowl and there is nothing about this journey that he likes. Satan did is very best to discourage me. Thursday, October 4th and particularly, Friday, October 5th, Satan brought so much discouragement to me that I physically felt the weight and heaviness of depression.

In the midst of being upset and heavy hearted, I just open the bible. I didn’t ask for encouragement or peace. I just needed to read the Word. I aimlessly open to Matthew 10… and verses 34-39 read:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

And I simply ask “God is this really what you came to do?" I begin praying "God, my heart hurts; I cringe to think Jeremy and I's decisions cause others so much turmoil. God I feel distraught, I need you. God, I love you and I need your strength to persevere through what you have called us too.” 

Throughout the rest of today, God clearly and directly spoke to me through His word. Through His grace, a text from Jessica popped up on my screen, and through a text conversation she brought me such encouragement. Thank you Lord for having Jessica text me this day and for her heart that is in pursuit of you, which brings wisdom and encouragement into my life.

Also at the end of the day, I found myself at the cross asking forgiveness for the sinner that I am. I pray the Lord gives me understanding and grace for those who need time to grieve and accept the plan God has for us. And, mostly I found myself thanking God - thanking Him for His ever presence, love and grace in my life. That is where I find myself often these days...thankful for a Savior who OVERCOMES. He overcomes infertility, fear, worries, discouragement, finances. He has overcame the world, He overcame the cross!

You name it, He overcomes it!

I absolutely love this song! It speaks to me every time I hear it!