As God brings two together to become one, Angela and I see different sides of the same coin. Our different perspectives, in Christ, help us to be a whole that we hope He uses to act as His hands and feet.
While Angela is much more driven by heart, I know that I am much more driven by head. I think things through, I ask obnoxious questions to verify and validate everything, to prepare as best as possible. And while I agree wholeheartedly with Angela that the care provided by this agency with whom we just spoke seems so much more Christlike, more sincere and thorough than the first agency with whom we met, other aspects of this touched agency me, as well.
The cost of this agency is about $5000 less than the first agency. What this means to me is that we can have less debt (which we want to avoid as much as possible) and that Angela can stay home sooner. They do not charge just to be put on their list of possible adoptive parents, and they do not charge when a match is made with a potential adoptive birth mother. This gives us more time to save, to fundraise, and to see how God is going to work miracles in our lives.
Angela has said that she is more timid about asking others to support us, and in a way I am too, but I want to act in the faith of Hebrews 4:16—"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." If He has called us to this ministry, He will equip us both spiritually and financially to walk through each step.
As Angela mentioned, some dear friends who moved away a couple of years ago contacted us out of the blue saying they wanted to help us with the adoption. I was humbled, grateful, and thankful, and I thought "Each little bit helps. Thank you God for prompting them to share in our journey with us." When the check arrived yesterday, there was an extra 0 at the end of the number. And the emotion that I felt was "Awe!" Their check will allow us to apply to this new agency right away and have money left over to start an adoption fund savings account. My jaw literally dropped for a few moments, as I realized again that God is going to be faithful, just as He has always been, and that we definitely are in the center of His will as we walk through this journey.
God is much bigger than our tiny boxes can ever contain, and we can only stand in awe to watch what He is going to do!
Lynn
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Blessings and Peace
Words are not coming easy right now. I am not the writer in the family, I am not good with words and I certainly do not use the proper grammar or punctuation, but I don know what is on my heart. I am just so amazed at what God has done in our lives the last few weeks.
We met with an agency yesterday and it went very well. Lynn and I had such a peace about it when we left. She was very honest with us and did not try to sugar coat anything. It is hard and sometimes things fall through and you are out money and a piece of your heart. Still we know this is the path God is leading us down.
I was so touched by the ministry that they do that I started crying in the middle of our discussion. My heart was just so overwhelmed. I told the social worker we met with that my heart aches for the birth mom and that I have been praying for her. I can not imagine the courage and strength it takes to give up a baby for adoption. I think about how scared the birth mom is or will be. This will be a very trying, emotional and stressful journey for us but I can't help but think about the woman that will give her child to us to raise and love. Please join me in praying for her as you continue to pray for us.
We, like so many other couples, stress about how we are going to be able to afford adoption and where to adopt from. God already knew this and he has been making a way for us. Lynn was able to find some computer classes to teach for a few weeks for extra income, my hours were increased at work and I am making some baby items and selling them on Etsy. BUT, the biggest surprise and blessings have come from friends in our lives even ones we have not seen in a long time. We have had one friend donate her time to offer mini photo sessions and donating the money to us. Today we received a check in the mail and it was so generous and it is enough for us to submit our application and truly begin the process. It is so humbling for people to care enough about us having a child to love. I can't tell you how much I have cried, tears of joy of course, for people to give us their hard earned money. It is so overwhelming but in a good way. The things that seem so little to some people make such an impact and to be a part of such a wonder group of people sharing the love of God with us, we feel very honored. We consider this to be a ministry that God has called us to and we could not imagine doing it without our friends and family being there with us.
We love you all and are so thankful for God's blessings. We look forward to passing on what God has bless us with.
Angela
We met with an agency yesterday and it went very well. Lynn and I had such a peace about it when we left. She was very honest with us and did not try to sugar coat anything. It is hard and sometimes things fall through and you are out money and a piece of your heart. Still we know this is the path God is leading us down.
I was so touched by the ministry that they do that I started crying in the middle of our discussion. My heart was just so overwhelmed. I told the social worker we met with that my heart aches for the birth mom and that I have been praying for her. I can not imagine the courage and strength it takes to give up a baby for adoption. I think about how scared the birth mom is or will be. This will be a very trying, emotional and stressful journey for us but I can't help but think about the woman that will give her child to us to raise and love. Please join me in praying for her as you continue to pray for us.
We, like so many other couples, stress about how we are going to be able to afford adoption and where to adopt from. God already knew this and he has been making a way for us. Lynn was able to find some computer classes to teach for a few weeks for extra income, my hours were increased at work and I am making some baby items and selling them on Etsy. BUT, the biggest surprise and blessings have come from friends in our lives even ones we have not seen in a long time. We have had one friend donate her time to offer mini photo sessions and donating the money to us. Today we received a check in the mail and it was so generous and it is enough for us to submit our application and truly begin the process. It is so humbling for people to care enough about us having a child to love. I can't tell you how much I have cried, tears of joy of course, for people to give us their hard earned money. It is so overwhelming but in a good way. The things that seem so little to some people make such an impact and to be a part of such a wonder group of people sharing the love of God with us, we feel very honored. We consider this to be a ministry that God has called us to and we could not imagine doing it without our friends and family being there with us.
We love you all and are so thankful for God's blessings. We look forward to passing on what God has bless us with.
Angela
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)