Our Adoption Story(ies)

It isn't Friday yet on the Pacific coast, so I still have time. ha, ha!

Mr. M's story: Due to the fact that Mr. M is a domestic adoption from our state, not too many details will be shared. However, what can be shared is that it was totally God that M is in our home. God used state workers and worked mightily in M's life to bring him to our home and keep him in our home. The $18,000+ in adoption related expenses were reimbursed to us by God, the state and the federal government in the form of tax credits, grants, and unexpected provision.

If God wants you to adopt, He will provide! Everyday is not full of sunshine and flowers, but God's provision continues 4+ years later. Mr. M may have special needs that we didn't know about at the time of his adoption, but God's faithfulness continues. There are days when my life would be easier without the "extra blessings" that Mr. M does, but my life wouldn't be as rich. Mr. M has made me evaluate myself as a person and parent and humble myself so that I can only say this --- is because of God, not me. He fills our lives with spontaneity, humor and we look forward to helping him become a man of God that fulfills the desires and purpose that God has for him.

Elizabeth's story: Well this blog was started because of her adoption so read the past postings, I'm not going to list all the links here, sorry. But again, God planted a desire. God refined His desire in us- we were not initially intending on adopting special needs from China. God provided the funds for the adoption and continues to provide the funds for the medical testing that we are still undergoing. Going from 4 to 5 children hasn't been especially easy. Elizabeth has had and continues to have A LOT of catching up to do, but she is. Having a daughter finally is wonderful in and of itself, but she is just so super sweet. Everyone dotes on her, even Mr. J, who was a bit reserved about adopting again.

Having children has made me a better person- more patient, kind, graceful, less self-centered, etc. Kids do that (or at least they should, IMHO). What I truly appreciate about adoption is that I am having a positive affect on what could be a very bad/sad situation. Elizabeth spent the first 26 months of her life in an orphanage, she could have lived her whole childhood in an orphanage to only then have been kicked out at 16 without job skills and expected to survive on her own. Not good. But that is no longer her future, she is Loved! Mr. M's biological parent's past doesn't need to dictate his future, because God brought him into our home and he is Redeemed!

We have been adopted into God's family because of the work that Jesus did on the cross, if we are willing to repent and accept God's love. How can I not turn around and do likewise and show love to hurting children?! Whether you simply foster or you adopt or you are the go to person for a family that fosters or adopts, God can use you and your life will be so much the better. Ours is!!!!!