The Why...

In the very short (or NOT so short) time that we have been on this adoption journey I have been asked many, many, mannny questions about our story. "When are you going", "how much does it cost", "are you crazy" (yes everyone just loves being asked that :)), and last but not least, "Why international when there are so many children here who need to be adopted? Why not help out your own?" Yesterday that last one was even followed up by, "just make sure you don't get one that has issues that's just horrible for the parents!" That last one felt like a slap in the face and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to pick my jaw up off the floor! Aside for the last comment, I have no problem answering questions. I actually enjoy it because I feel like people are genuinely interested in not only our life, but the process. But I must say I've always had a hard time answering the why international. I mean I know why I chose international. It's where we felt God was leading us to go. Plain and simple. Now trying to explain that fact is not as plain and simple to others. I am by no means saying I have great faith, because I lack that more times than I can count, but I just knew. Like the day you said yes to your husband. Yes you were nervous still of the unknowns, and you weren't sure where the journey might take you, and you for SURE had no clue what you were REALLY saying yes to, but you just put your faith into saying yes. When we said yes to China a peace washed over me that I was right where I was suppose to be. Right where He wanted me to be. Now to explain that to someone who doesn't believe in God...that is another story.
                 The longer I have been walking this road the more assurance I have that we are doing His will. I was reading this great article by a man named Sam Mclure and he said that:

"First, there are around 100,000 orphans in the United States compared to 167 million orphans worldwide. According to The Washington Post, there were over 600,000 women in America waiting to adopt in August of 2008. In other words, if every woman in America adopted one child domestically, there would still be over 500,000 women willing to adopt. However, even if these 500,000 women adopted internationally, there would still be a over 11 million international orphans needing care. Now, think for moment. In 2007, 78.4% of the United States’ population of 302 million considered themselves Christian. James 1:27 commands the Church to care for the widow and the orphan. If less than half of these 236,768,000 American Church members took this command to heart and cared for the child that God had placed in their hearts, there wouldn’t be an orphan problem, in the United States or anywhere else."

600,000 waiting to adopt in America!!! does that tell you how easy it is to adopt in America??? Sad isn't it? Another sad fact, adoption has gone down 50% in 2012! There are so many kids just waiting for us. SOOO MANY!!! If we as Americans who have so much more privilege don't reach out to them, who will? 

Please PLEASE hear me and do not misread what I'm writing. There are many children here in America who need people to bring them into their homes, whether it is to adopt or foster. Right now, where we are in our lives, we don't feel called to do that. Josh and I have always said when our kids are older and out of the house we hope to be foster parents. And being to be called to adopt from America is an amazing opportunity as well!!! I write this only to share where we are coming from in our journey in the here and now. 
Please know we both love love love it when we can share with anyone where we are in our journey...unless your telling me I'm crazy...that I can do without :). 
Hope you all have a blessed day!!!!

To read the rest of this amazing article go to:

http://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2013/02/21/ill-tell-you-why-reflections-on-domestic-and-international-adoption-by-anne-louise-pass/

Be That Someone

Another mommy waiting to go get her girl posted this video on facebook tonight and it broke my heart. So many babies, so few people, and then to make the problem worse-bureaucracy standing in the way of those who are still trying to go get their child. But who will stand up and be the voice! Who will heed the call! Who will stand in the gap and fight for these little babies who have no fight in themselves. Watch this video...watch the faces of these kids and their eyes crying out for love. You will never hear me tell you YOU need to adopt. Adoption is a calling, I know that, but we ALL need to help, to stand in the gap, to FIGHT for these babies! It doesn't have to be Josh or I's adoption. Find someone, ANYONE who needs help to bring their babies home. $5 can go a long way if many are willing to give. But many of those faces, will go unloved-if good people with wonderful intentions, never do anything...

STUCK TRAILER from Both Ends Burning Campaign on Vimeo.

Please be willing to be that someone... Love you all...

Greater Things

Bare with me guys and gals, it's another song post. But I was driving in the car and thinking about my sweet Nina and wondering what she was doing on the other side of the world, when I heard this song. 



Plum--I Need You Now

Well, everybody's got a story to tell
And everybody's got a wound to be healed
I want to believe there's beauty here
So, I guess you're tired of holding on
I can't let go, I can't move on
I want to believe there's meaning here

Chorus:
How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?-take away my sadness for her, my impatients in the wait and the unknowns of getting the funds
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?-I've been here, but keep falling back into fear
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

Standing on a road I didn't plan-Huh, umm yea
Wondering how I got to where I am-whose idea was this any way (retorical question-I know this is what God called us here)
I'm trying to hear that still small voice
I'm trying to hear above the noise-You are there! You are there

Chorus

Though I walk, though I walk through the shadows
And I, I am so afraid
Please stay, please stay right beside me
With every single step I take

Lord-I know you are right beside me, please help me to keep my eyes on you! Thank you for being my Rock-my All , my everything! Thank you for not only being the God who is here with me in Florida, USA but also the same God who is with my baby in China Yulin City Shaanxi.
In church this morning the Pastor was preaching on John 14:12 I tell you the truth, ANYONE who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. He said a higher calling means deeper surrender, which leads to Greater things. I do believe adopting is our calling from God, allowing us-US of all people, to do Greater things!!