Foster Care PRAISE!

Last Friday we were able to witness the adoption of 3 of our former foster children into a loving, forever home.  It was an amazing moment to watch the parents commit themselves to love, nurture, and provide for K, P, and J.

We remember the day these children moved from our home to an "adoptive" home.  It was a hard day.  Hard because when they were in our home we felt that we had more control on their story and outcome.  If we let them go what was going to happen to them?  We didn't feel that God was calling us to adopt these children, but to verbalize that meant they needed to move on to a family who was considering adoption.  Yes, we knew we needed to trust that God was in control of the kids' story, but even though we knew that truth to be so giving up that control was not easy.  

A few weeks ago the adoptive mom called us up and invited us to come to the adoption finalization ceremony.  We were instantly filled with joy and thankfulness to be asked to be a part of that special day.  We were also amazed at God's faithfulness in these kids lives.  Not only do they now have a forever dad and mom, but a dad and mom who love Jesus and will, undoubtedly, raise them in the fear and nurture of the Lord.

I write this post as an Ebenezer for us to look back on.  I want us to remember that God is working, moving,  accomplishing HIS plan and we GET to be involved!

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."

The truth is that fostering these 3 children was not easy.  In fact, it was the hardest year of our lives.  We were the furthest thing from being perfect foster parents to these children, but because God is faithful, He sustained us and gave us grace moment by moment by moment.  Knowing and witnessing the outcome of these kids' story has welled up in us a new energy and desire to step out in faith and be a part of what God is doing in the lives of vulnerable children.

There is a HUGE need for families to open themselves up to fostering or adopting.  Have you ever considered fostering?  Adopting?  Supporting a family that is?  

TRUTH:  When you get involved in the lives of vulnerable children, you are opening up your life to trials.

BIGGER TRUTH:  You are also opening up your life to joys unimaginable.  You will get to see God work in ways that are extraordinary.  Your faith, trust, and hope in God's faithfulness will grow.  You will learn to surrender dependence upon anything else to dependence on God.

Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen." 

Weekend At Home

 Our weekends have been full of busyness between traveling and things going on.  Last weekend we happily welcomed a quiet weekend at home.

Good morning Judson!  I'd say someone woke up kind of grumpy.

Yup.  Mr. Crabs.

Still crabbing.

Finally......a smile.  Maybe it is going to be a happy day after all.  ;)

Judson's least favorite thing to do still is eat.  Praying those days end.....SOMEDAY.

CRAZY DRIVER

Love my sweets!

Judson's one drawer in the kitchen he is allowed to play in.

This picture caught a little attitude after mommy told him that he can't play in that cupboard.

Building a tower with daddy........

........the best part is knocking it over!

All ready for church.

Being useful.....so he thinks.

It's not often we spend a WHOLE weekend at home.  This one was worth documenting.  :)

Adoption Journey

A couple weekends ago we dropped Judson off at Matt's parents house and headed to Birmingham, AL to attend Lifeline Children's Services adoption conference.  Why did we go to this conference?    Because we are  ADOPTING  through Lifeline Children's Services!

We have just completed our home study to adopt a baby from here in the States and are at the point in the process where we WAIT.

We started the process last September.  Here is the timeline of our home study (for memory sake):

09/09/14 - Submitted Application to Lifeline Children's Services

09/15/14 - Phone Interview with Lifeline Social Worker

09/24/14 - Interview at Lifeline Office in Topeka

10/29/14 - Individual Interviews/Home Interview

11/01/14-12/03/14 - Paused Home Study Due to Foster Placement

12/03/14 - Last Interview-Profile Complete

02/06/15 - Home Study Finalized

We feel blessed and excited to be adopting through a agency that puts the Gospel in the center of all they do.

Lifeline's Mission (http://lifelinechild.org/christian-adoption-services/)

Lifeline Children’s Services exists to equip the body of Christ to manifest the Gospel to vulnerable children.

Our purpose is to provide a hope and a future through the Gospel for vulnerable children around the world by discipling, engaging and equipping the body of Christ towards adoption, foster care, orphan care and support.

Lifeline exists because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection made a way for those who would trust in Him as Savior and Lord to have everlasting Hope. He died so that we might live, as children of God. The reason our staff comes to work each day is for the Gospel of Christ to be made known in all nations.

We acknowledge that it’s not America, a nice home, a great education, three meals a day, adoption or even a family that is the hope for children. Christ is the hope and the future in our mission. It is by Him, to Him, and through Him we are able to accomplish the work set before us. We are grateful for the opportunity to love and serve birthmothers who are often in despair, children who cry out for the love of a family, and men and women who long for a child.

Matt and I were very excited to attend the conference for many reasons.  One of them being that we were getting a mini-trip together!  We actually extended our trip a few days so that we could spend some extra time together to focus on our relationship and even to soak in and process all that we learned.

We are thrilled at how Lifeline has come along side us in the adoption process to educate, equip, and support us. 

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

WE ARE OFF!

Our sweet little ride.

Chick-Fil-A is a big deal in Birmingham.  We had to get in on the action.

Mom Kaeb sent us a few updates on how Judson was doing.  As you can see he had a fun time at grandpa and grandmas.

Skyping little man.

Our conference was held at The Church of Brook Hills (David Platt's former church).  We got to attend church there on Sunday which was neat.

We had a wonderful little getaway together.  I could get away with this guy any day! :D

Here are a few takeaways from the adoption conference:

*There are many reasons to adopt, but the end goal is to advance the Kingdom of God!

*Comparison is the thief of joy.  Remember God's sovereignty in YOUR family's adoption story.  God is in every detail.  No one's adoption story will look the same.

*To have not only compassion for the birthmother but also a desire for her to know Christ's redeeming power through the Gospel.

*That a birthmother deserves honor for making this selfless adoption plan for her baby.

What does the timeframe look like for us to be matched with a baby?  WE HAVE NO IDEA!  Like I said earlier, we are at the point in the process where we WAIT.  While the waiting will not be easy-peasy, we have peace because God knows every detail of our adoption journey.

REST IN HIM!

Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."