A few weeks ago I told someone that God knew we did not need a "match" with all we had going on such as the break in and all the end of school stuff and preparing for mission trip and Vacation Bible School.
Well one week after our home was broken into, Joel received an email from our attorney with an uncommon situation he wanted us to consider. He explained that one other couple besides us received this info and if we both said no he would move to another family. Birth Mom is 6 weeks pregnant and has had some high risk pregnancies before. Normally matches do not occur this early but this is a special situation. Joel and I initially said that we should pass because we were planning for a girl. We went in different directions that evening then Joel and I met up for dinner. The Lord began to change our hearts on our plan. When we met up for dinner we both began to consider that maybe God has a different plan than we do. Maybe this is Kaleyah Joy or maybe God simply wants us to let go of the control we think we have and follow Him. This adoption will be considerably more than we originally planned. However if Gods going to provide 18 thousand he'll provide 28 thousand. What's money to God. We discussed putting a fleece before The Lord and passing to the other couple and if they said no we would accept. We also discussed talking with our big kids and seeing how Caris reacted. she has her heart set on a sister and roommate. We discussed the reasons to accept and the reasons not to accept. The only real reason not to accept is because we may not get a girl. We realized that this us Gods journey and Gods plan. Before I ever even told Joel I was ready to adopt the Lord spoke to my heart and told me to Follow Him. So we finished a yummy dinner and headed to pick up our kids at Grammy and Grands. When we got there we told the big kids we needed to have a family meeting. We went to the sun room and explained to them about the call from the attorney. Isaiah immediately said let's do it. Caris thought for a minute. She said I think we should
accept because there is a reason God brought this baby to us. We discussed the fact that she could end up the only girl with three brothers. She fully Understood the situation and wanted to accept this referral. Joel was really overwhelmed and so we decided to pray. Isaiah voiced a prayer for Gods direction and we called the attorney and accepted. We explained to him how we believed The Lord led us to say yes when we thought we would say no. The attorney seemed very happy and told us the other couple turned it down quickly because they want a girl. So we accepted a match around 9pm on Monday night May 6th. So we r expecting a baby on Dec 26!!!! More details to come.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Love your neighbor
Love your neighbor as yourself is one of those commands that should come easy but it is so difficult. A few weeks ago my kids and I came home from school and Isaiah noticed the back door had been kicked in. As we looked through the house we realized a few things had been taken. A few things that cannot be replaced. Someone came into our home and took our things. God continues to teach me that things are just that, things. I was so thankful we were not home. That is what is most important. My family cannot be replaced. I continue to thank The Lord that He protected us all by allowing us to be gone to school and work.
So am I to love the neighbor who came into my home, stole my belongings and kicked in the back door? Am I to love the neighbor who has changed our behavior and who has disrupted our peace and security in our own home? The answer is yes. God said to love our neighbor. He tells us to do it. He never said love your good neighbor. That would have been easy but Jesus does not call us to do what is easy. He did not do what was easy when He suffered and died a horrible death just to give me a relationship with Him. I have kicked in Jesus' back door so many times and tried to take what was not mine forgiveness, mercy, Grace. Just to learn that Jesus offered it to me freely. I cannot take it from Him. He offered it to me and to you. All we have to do is receive it and Follow Him. It's not easy but it is a joy filled, amazing journey. I cannot say that I feel Love for my neighbor who broke into our house but Im trying. I want to love as Jesus loves. In light of the Love and Forgiveness I have received, I must love others.
Thank you Lord for your love which seeks us out and forgives us even though we do not deserve it and thank you for your protection.
So am I to love the neighbor who came into my home, stole my belongings and kicked in the back door? Am I to love the neighbor who has changed our behavior and who has disrupted our peace and security in our own home? The answer is yes. God said to love our neighbor. He tells us to do it. He never said love your good neighbor. That would have been easy but Jesus does not call us to do what is easy. He did not do what was easy when He suffered and died a horrible death just to give me a relationship with Him. I have kicked in Jesus' back door so many times and tried to take what was not mine forgiveness, mercy, Grace. Just to learn that Jesus offered it to me freely. I cannot take it from Him. He offered it to me and to you. All we have to do is receive it and Follow Him. It's not easy but it is a joy filled, amazing journey. I cannot say that I feel Love for my neighbor who broke into our house but Im trying. I want to love as Jesus loves. In light of the Love and Forgiveness I have received, I must love others.
Thank you Lord for your love which seeks us out and forgives us even though we do not deserve it and thank you for your protection.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tshirts
We have our tshirts for sale! We are very excited. We are so thankful to Katy Wallace for designing them for us. You can order them here on our blog or you can contact us directly to order. I want to tell you a little about our design. It is very personal to us. The back Adoption has a red cross. That is because God adopted us as His children. The sentence that says God gets glory we get Joy, is one of Joels mottos at our church.Of course Joy will be our baby girls middle name(if we have a girl) The white sun is from the Marshallese flag, which is the people group from which our baby will be born. The palm tree represents the Marshall Islands where her birth family is originally from. The front pocket design has the same palm tree and white sun. It has red flip flops because the Marshallese women wear flip flops. The verse says because of Gods love for us, we are called to be children of God. Kaleyah-our daughters first name (if we have a girl). means "called" in Greek. So the verse talks about how we are called to be Gods children, a reference to adoption. Because of God's great love for us, He called us to be His children. He gives us all the rights to inherit his kingdom in Heaven. He loved us, called us, forgives us and paid the price for our sin. His love is amazing. It is for that reason that we are called to be parents to a little baby, maybe a little girl names Kaleyah Joy, through the miracle of adoption. We appreciate your support of our adoption, especially your prayer. That is the most powerful support you can give us. Thank you!!!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Waiting
This week is the first time I have felt a bit discouaged and began to doubt that anything was really happening. I was thinking maybe we are waiting for nothing. Maybe we would never get a call from our attorney. Maybe she is working with so many clients that we have fallen through the cracks. I talked with two of my frineds who have blazed this path before me but with adoption agencies. They both said that this is normal during this process. You get to that point where you just sit and wait. One friend really encouraged me when she told me that the waiting time is when God worked in her life so much. God taught her to Be still before Him and wait on Him and His timing. I keep saying that His timing is perfect. The truth is that I still want it in my time, on my terms and conditions, when everything is in place and ducks are in a row and we have our beautiful baby room (well half of Caris' room) ready and all the accessories and all the beautiful family photos of our family holding up a sign that says waiting for you or growing in my heart or something really cool like that. The truth is that maybe God will use this time in my life. There is no maybe about it. He will use this time. Time to teach me what is important. Time to make me dependent on Him. Time to show me what is important and that He is all I need. Not all the stuff. When I get totally honest with myself, it is not that I fear a baby will never come. I fear that I will long for her and miss her so deeply before she comes, that it will break my heart. I don't want to hurt. I don't want it to take long enough for me to ache for her. I don't want to get uncomfortable. I want the picture perfect scenerio and then my beautiful baby girl will come home. But what does God want? Maybe he wants to break my heart for what breaks His. Maybe He just wants me to Be still before Him and Wait on Him to reveal His plan. And then, he expects me to be obedient, no matter how it feels.
Oh God, change my heart and help me to Wait on You, no matter what.
I did call our attorney and briefly spoke to her. She said no babies were coming her way right now.
So we wait.
Shannon
Oh God, change my heart and help me to Wait on You, no matter what.
I did call our attorney and briefly spoke to her. She said no babies were coming her way right now.
So we wait.
Shannon
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Maybe fall
Well we really don't have any major updates. Our friends, two different families that are working with our attorney, are on board. We are all expecting and praying for at least 2 little Marshallese girls and one little boy this year. We are so excited that each of our children will have friends at church that look like them! Joel spoke with our attorney a few weeks ago. She said we would have a baby this calendar year. No mention of this summer so we are, at least, not anticipating a baby during the hectic schedule of summer. This is a tiny bit disappointing but at the same time, gives us more time to prepare, increase the adoption fund, apply for more grants and pray for our baby girl. It gives us more time to focus our attention on the three gifts God has already given us.
I've thought a lot about my role as a parent lately. Parenting is difficult even in the best situation. To teach and mold and inspire and encourage and train and discipline and shape a child is such an enormous responsibility. Joel and I are the ones God has given this responsibility to for Isaiah, Caris and Elijah and one day for Kaleyah Joy. I recognize so many failures along the way. I don't correct with a loving tone, I don't set a good example in some areas, I don't remember to follow up with everything I should, I don't give enough hugs.......and the list goes on and on. But one thing I do is love them with my whole heart. I would give anything to insure they are all happy and healthy. I would love to be able to protect them from the heartaches of this world. It is that realization that brings me back to my most important responsibility as a parent. Pointing them to Jesus. If I don't cook a well balanced meal, or I react harshly or I fail them as I do so often, if I point them to Jesus then I have given them the most important thing in the world. Not only am I to point them to Him, I am to lead them to Him as well. It is what they see in their Dad and I that will leave a spiritual legacy. It is our example they will follow or at least learn from. Thankfully, they have many Godly grandparents, Aunts/Uncles and church family to help us lead them to Jesus. But WOW! I have a lot of work to do in my own relationship with Jesus but He will help me. He will sustain me and He will forgive me when I fall short. He will give me what I need to give them what they need. Thank you LORD for loving me, a sinner and for blessing me with these children. May I point them and lead them to You!
I've thought a lot about my role as a parent lately. Parenting is difficult even in the best situation. To teach and mold and inspire and encourage and train and discipline and shape a child is such an enormous responsibility. Joel and I are the ones God has given this responsibility to for Isaiah, Caris and Elijah and one day for Kaleyah Joy. I recognize so many failures along the way. I don't correct with a loving tone, I don't set a good example in some areas, I don't remember to follow up with everything I should, I don't give enough hugs.......and the list goes on and on. But one thing I do is love them with my whole heart. I would give anything to insure they are all happy and healthy. I would love to be able to protect them from the heartaches of this world. It is that realization that brings me back to my most important responsibility as a parent. Pointing them to Jesus. If I don't cook a well balanced meal, or I react harshly or I fail them as I do so often, if I point them to Jesus then I have given them the most important thing in the world. Not only am I to point them to Him, I am to lead them to Him as well. It is what they see in their Dad and I that will leave a spiritual legacy. It is our example they will follow or at least learn from. Thankfully, they have many Godly grandparents, Aunts/Uncles and church family to help us lead them to Jesus. But WOW! I have a lot of work to do in my own relationship with Jesus but He will help me. He will sustain me and He will forgive me when I fall short. He will give me what I need to give them what they need. Thank you LORD for loving me, a sinner and for blessing me with these children. May I point them and lead them to You!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Well we survived the home study and will soon receive our notarized official copy. Then we continue to clean out the house,gather baby stuff, wait on a match from our attorney and save money. We can apply for adoption grants after we have an official copy of our home study so that will be soon. I am still working and that allows us to afford extra expenses or add to our savings account.
As I have followed other families in their adoption journeys, we are at the point where we are getting ready for some information. We are trying to be patient. We want to wait on God because His timing is perfect. However, not knowing how to plan the next few months is proving to be a bit difficult. I love to have my calendar in order and know when we are going where and what is going on in the near future. However, I don't want to plan or commit to too much because I don't want to have to cancel. Just not knowing. It almost seems it will be a long time before we get the call from our attorney but then it could be tomorrow. This whole thing seems almost unreal at this point but when we get a match, it will be all about getting ready for Kaleyah Joy.
Caris and I had a painting night last weekend where we painted some things for their room. Soon I want to paint the white tree on their wall and rearrange the bedroom. It will begin to feel like Caris and Kaleyah's room once that beautiful tree is on the wall.
We have heard that one of our friends has received some great news about their pending adoption! We are having dinner soon to hear the great news. We are very excited when we are able to rejoice with others as they work to bring more orphans home. We have prayed that our adoption will encourage others to adopt. Another friend is feeling drawn to adopt and is asking us to pray. I am so thankful that God is moving in hearts all around us to bring home orphans. To love the least of these and create forever families in ways none of us ever thought possible.
Until I have more thoughts or news to share, we will praying and Waiting on the LORD.
As I have followed other families in their adoption journeys, we are at the point where we are getting ready for some information. We are trying to be patient. We want to wait on God because His timing is perfect. However, not knowing how to plan the next few months is proving to be a bit difficult. I love to have my calendar in order and know when we are going where and what is going on in the near future. However, I don't want to plan or commit to too much because I don't want to have to cancel. Just not knowing. It almost seems it will be a long time before we get the call from our attorney but then it could be tomorrow. This whole thing seems almost unreal at this point but when we get a match, it will be all about getting ready for Kaleyah Joy.
Caris and I had a painting night last weekend where we painted some things for their room. Soon I want to paint the white tree on their wall and rearrange the bedroom. It will begin to feel like Caris and Kaleyah's room once that beautiful tree is on the wall.
We have heard that one of our friends has received some great news about their pending adoption! We are having dinner soon to hear the great news. We are very excited when we are able to rejoice with others as they work to bring more orphans home. We have prayed that our adoption will encourage others to adopt. Another friend is feeling drawn to adopt and is asking us to pray. I am so thankful that God is moving in hearts all around us to bring home orphans. To love the least of these and create forever families in ways none of us ever thought possible.
Until I have more thoughts or news to share, we will praying and Waiting on the LORD.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Rejoice! I'm 40!
This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24 This is my Daddy's favorite verse. Today will make 2 years since I've seen him, heard his voice, gotten a crazy phone call in the wee hours of the morning, heard his funny laugh and so many other things. But, its also been two year since he went to Heaven, since he stopped suffering, since he left this world full of sin and heartache, since he began his true life that God created him to have. Its been two years that my Daddy has been in the presence of Jesus. I know I will be there with him one day. This is only a temporary separation.
Today is also my 40th birthday. I thought my 40th birthday would be a hard day for me as far as feeling old and leaving my 30's. I mean at least in your 30's you can still hold onto some idea of being young but 40, forget it, right? WRONG I am embracing 40. My new motto is Fabulous 40! Not that I am fabulous but I want to have a fabulous year and I plan to. I'm hoping to be a new Mom. I mean Mom of a new baby girl. I also want to be a new Mom. I want to be a different and better Mom to all my children. I want to be a new wife to my husband. I want to be a new sister and daughter and friend. I want to be a new follower of Jesus with the excitement I had when I first gave my heart to Him. I want to be a new creation, by Jesus renewing me each and every day, teaching and molding me into whatever He wants me to be. I have new hopes and dreams for this year and I'm so thankful to be able to dream God sized dreams. I'm so thankful for all He has blessed me with in this first 40 years. I can't wait to see what He has planned for the next 40.
The latest adoption news is that we are still interviewing with our social worker for our home study. We have two more meetings and the last one will be at the house! Yikes. I hope I will be a new housekeeper this year and get rid of lots of this mess! Got lots to do. But once the homestudy is over, we wait for our baby girl. Oh and we are considering changing the spelling of her first name from Kalea to Kaleyah. Also, Elijah has said more than once that he is also getting a baby brother and his name will be Sharky Jordan. LOL I guess this family will see what the LORD has planned for us and if our little prophet knows something we don't. :)
Today is also my 40th birthday. I thought my 40th birthday would be a hard day for me as far as feeling old and leaving my 30's. I mean at least in your 30's you can still hold onto some idea of being young but 40, forget it, right? WRONG I am embracing 40. My new motto is Fabulous 40! Not that I am fabulous but I want to have a fabulous year and I plan to. I'm hoping to be a new Mom. I mean Mom of a new baby girl. I also want to be a new Mom. I want to be a different and better Mom to all my children. I want to be a new wife to my husband. I want to be a new sister and daughter and friend. I want to be a new follower of Jesus with the excitement I had when I first gave my heart to Him. I want to be a new creation, by Jesus renewing me each and every day, teaching and molding me into whatever He wants me to be. I have new hopes and dreams for this year and I'm so thankful to be able to dream God sized dreams. I'm so thankful for all He has blessed me with in this first 40 years. I can't wait to see what He has planned for the next 40.
The latest adoption news is that we are still interviewing with our social worker for our home study. We have two more meetings and the last one will be at the house! Yikes. I hope I will be a new housekeeper this year and get rid of lots of this mess! Got lots to do. But once the homestudy is over, we wait for our baby girl. Oh and we are considering changing the spelling of her first name from Kalea to Kaleyah. Also, Elijah has said more than once that he is also getting a baby brother and his name will be Sharky Jordan. LOL I guess this family will see what the LORD has planned for us and if our little prophet knows something we don't. :)
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