Your Children

I can remember this moment vividly. A turning point in my life. Come with me into the recent past where Jennifer and I had been attending the 10 week course of foster-to-adopt training. Every Friday night was like a date-night where we’d race from our work life, quickly drop the children off to a babysitter, and with coffee and sandwich already in hand, we would eat AND drive to the class. This was necessary to get there on time. And attending class meant we’d be qualified foster parents. And man did we WANT more children! Our driving and eating and drinking reflected a certain enthusiasm – you can imagine.

So the tenth week of class: There’s some teaching, some cake and some celebration for making it to the finish line. We’d be certifiable tonight.

Let me describe for you one of the most awesome teachers you may ever meet. She was there that night, and when she spoke about children, foster children, you’d laugh with her. Big laughs and you’d cry with her. Big tears. You’d get angry with her as she described what people do with their children and to their children. She was GOOD and her stories of children were compelling and heart-breaking. The work she did and still does -- very good, by ANY definition.

Around this point, children in need, this is where she caught me off-guard. I can’t remember how we got to this point in the conversation, but I remember distinctly that she said “I don’t understand so much the needs of children in other countries because I think you should take care of your own children first.”

I think she meant well, but it bothered me. She was certain, maybe even smug. She was advocating foster care for children, which IS a great ministry. But that night…that night during her talk, I knew what I HAD to do. I HAD to bite my tongue. Either that, or bite HER. It was a tough choice. You see, Jennifer and I were already committed to adopting from Ethiopia -- not fostering to adopt through the state.

How do you tell someone living in the United States, that children in those other countries are dying? And that “yours” are living?

Scripture has a word to describe what we do, people. Pure. Faultless. Loving these children -- These are the greater works that Jesus speaks of when He goes to the Father. Greater works shall you do when I go to the Father.

That teacher DOES greater works, but when we screw them up, whether in our words or actions – Scripture has a word to describe that too. Grace. Perfect, everlasting, forgiving grace. I’m thrilled to have it, and excited to extend it. What a great lesson, Father, thank you. Thank you.

Long time, no see

Yes, I do know that it has been nearly a month since I have posted a blog. I have absolutely NO excuse and I never lack for something to say, so I'll work on stepping it up a bit. As for an update on the adoption front, our court date in Ethiopia was November 20th, but unfortunately, we did not pass on the first round. Apparently, there was a missing document, a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia (MOWA). Our court date has now been rescheduled for December 18th. We are praying that we pass the next time. If we do, travel will likely be at the end of January, beginning of February timeframe. Please pray that MOWA gets our recommendation letter to the Powers That Be and that the judge doesn't find anything else that would stop our case from passing. We really want to get the kids home!

Since I posted last time, we had a book sale fundraiser. A wonderful family donated 10,000 books to us! That is still such an incredible number to me! Unfortunately, I missed the whole thing because I was in Texas for a conference. Thankfully, we made a little over $1400. We split the proceeds with some very good friends of ours who are also adopting two children from Ethiopia. God's blessings are so good!

We are now about to embark on our 3rd fundraiser - t-shirts!! My nephew is a very talented and well-respected graphic designer in Baltimore. He created a very cool design for us. I ordered a bunch of shirts and now we're just waiting for them to printed. We will be "hocking our wares" anywhere we can over the next few weeks, trying to raise some travel money. I will upload images of the t-shirts, and possibly add a utility allowing readers to order one if they would like - as soon as I figure out how to do that. :)

I would just like to leave you with a scripture (on Korbet's suggestion): So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16

Hope everyone has a wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving.