Ever since I was a little girl I have had a deep desire to adopt. And ever since I have known Ray he has always wanted a little girl. After each of our boys were born, people would suggest that we were trying for a girl. I would always deny it. Because I wasn't. I just wanted another baby. But deep down in my heart, hidden away from everyone, was this yearning for a daughter.
“….. But there’s where things have to start – with a dream. Of course, if you just go on dreaming, then it stays a dream and becomes stale and dead. But first to dream and then to do – isn’t that the way to make a dream come true?”
"Like a little boy with a kite, start running and see if your dream can catch wind. Before you know it, your dream will be flying. People will come to your support that you never dreamed would help. It’s true. Positive ideas and dreams attract support from the most unexpected sources! "
I know that in the Bible it says that God knows the desires of your heart. I also know that each desire that has been born in Ray or I up to this point has been fulfilled. And so I have great faith that this desire which has risen so strongly to the surface will also be fulfilled. A lot of circumstances lined up this last two weeks that made it very clear to us that we were to apply to adopt. My heart was so quickly wrapped up in it - it made it hard to think straight!! I had to lean on God as hard as we did when we moved here from the coast 8 years ago. That was a major move and some people thought we were nuts - selling our house, putting our furniture in storage, and heading out to find land and build and start a new life - in the country, hundreds of miles from anyone we knew, to a place where our boys could run free. No job lined up or anything. But that was a faith move and I have discovered when you take drastic steps because you feel led by God you will be honoured! He will come through!
"For I know the plans I have for you,... plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
When we are called to do something radical it usually means we have to take risks. But who likes the boring life anyway? Not me! I'm the one that travelled solo to Europe as a teen, and then took my husband and 7 month old baby on a cross Europe trip a few years later. I thrive on adventure! Through numerous signs it became apparent that we were being led towards adoption. Or so we believed. We had a choice - to take the chance and have faith or be chicken and play it safe!! We like risk - so we took the chance and grabbed the faith!
“….. But there’s where things have to start – with a dream. Of course, if you just go on dreaming, then it stays a dream and becomes stale and dead. But first to dream and then to do – isn’t that the way to make a dream come true?”
"Like a little boy with a kite, start running and see if your dream can catch wind. Before you know it, your dream will be flying. People will come to your support that you never dreamed would help. It’s true. Positive ideas and dreams attract support from the most unexpected sources! "
I know that in the Bible it says that God knows the desires of your heart. I also know that each desire that has been born in Ray or I up to this point has been fulfilled. And so I have great faith that this desire which has risen so strongly to the surface will also be fulfilled. A lot of circumstances lined up this last two weeks that made it very clear to us that we were to apply to adopt. My heart was so quickly wrapped up in it - it made it hard to think straight!! I had to lean on God as hard as we did when we moved here from the coast 8 years ago. That was a major move and some people thought we were nuts - selling our house, putting our furniture in storage, and heading out to find land and build and start a new life - in the country, hundreds of miles from anyone we knew, to a place where our boys could run free. No job lined up or anything. But that was a faith move and I have discovered when you take drastic steps because you feel led by God you will be honoured! He will come through!
"For I know the plans I have for you,... plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
When we are called to do something radical it usually means we have to take risks. But who likes the boring life anyway? Not me! I'm the one that travelled solo to Europe as a teen, and then took my husband and 7 month old baby on a cross Europe trip a few years later. I thrive on adventure! Through numerous signs it became apparent that we were being led towards adoption. Or so we believed. We had a choice - to take the chance and have faith or be chicken and play it safe!! We like risk - so we took the chance and grabbed the faith!
A few of the 'words' that came our way this week - convicting us.
"What idea is nesting in your mind today? What beautiful possibility is God seeking to bring to your attention? "
"It’s easy to get cold feet when you have to risk something. But if your faith is going to grow, you must successfully pass through the investing phase of faith."
One of the risks for us is reputation -
"What are you nuts? Six kids and you want MORE? How are you going to feed and clothe them all? Can you afford an international adoption? Why do you want to adopt a child of another race? What about your own kids? Is this fair to them?"
And the list goes on.
But we decided not to worry about risk. We really feel led by God in this choice. Our own children are thrilled to bits at the idea of adopting a little girl. Each and every one of them. They actually think we should adopt *two*! As to feeding and clothing them? Our children have never gone hungry or been without clothes. And the colour of skin means nothing to our children! As our eight year old so wisely put it - "If Jesus loves them then why can't we?" Yes, international adoption is extremely expensive, but our believe is that if God gave us this idea He will also finance it. Sounds radical doesn't it? Well, we have had such evidence of this in the past.
A 'word' I received on this just today:
"When we choose to trust God even when we don't understand what He is doing, we will find Him faithful to meet our needs in every situation."
Our old pastor came to visit our church last week and he preached on 'growing faith' and things he said rang so true of our situation. I had just read about the word 'invest' when it came to making our dream come true! More confirmation!
"What idea is nesting in your mind today? What beautiful possibility is God seeking to bring to your attention? "
"It’s easy to get cold feet when you have to risk something. But if your faith is going to grow, you must successfully pass through the investing phase of faith."
One of the risks for us is reputation -
"What are you nuts? Six kids and you want MORE? How are you going to feed and clothe them all? Can you afford an international adoption? Why do you want to adopt a child of another race? What about your own kids? Is this fair to them?"
And the list goes on.
But we decided not to worry about risk. We really feel led by God in this choice. Our own children are thrilled to bits at the idea of adopting a little girl. Each and every one of them. They actually think we should adopt *two*! As to feeding and clothing them? Our children have never gone hungry or been without clothes. And the colour of skin means nothing to our children! As our eight year old so wisely put it - "If Jesus loves them then why can't we?" Yes, international adoption is extremely expensive, but our believe is that if God gave us this idea He will also finance it. Sounds radical doesn't it? Well, we have had such evidence of this in the past.
A 'word' I received on this just today:
"When we choose to trust God even when we don't understand what He is doing, we will find Him faithful to meet our needs in every situation."
Our old pastor came to visit our church last week and he preached on 'growing faith' and things he said rang so true of our situation. I had just read about the word 'invest' when it came to making our dream come true! More confirmation!
He said, “If you have the opportunity to invest in someone’s life, the impact is immeasurable.”
When I started getting cold feet and thinking negative thoughts:
“When thou goest, thy way shall be opened up before thee step by step.” Proverbs 4:12
The Lord never builds a bridge of faith except under the feet of the faith-filled traveler. If He builds the bridge a rod ahead, it would not be a bridge of faith. That which is of sight is not of faith.
This was showing us that we needed to 'step out' and take a chance. So we are off on our very thrilling adventure.....
1 comment:
Your post is so beautiful and well written.
I love how you spoke of risk. I LOVE risk and walking in faith. How boring life would be if we weren't willing to risk. God knows our every need.
You all will be in my prayers are you start this awesome journey!
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