And it begins

Writing a blog is a weird thing for me to do. Other times in the past I have tried and failed to do a good or even decent job at keeping a blog current. It just seemed it was too much work and took too much time to sit and write. So why will this time be different? Truth is...I'm not sure it will be. The only reason I am trying a fresh start and writing now is I feel I have something to write about that honestly is more about me and my family than you, the reader. On other blogs, I was writing for you to know what I was doing or what happened in my life. This blog is going to be written for me, not for you. My family recently began the process of adopting a child. This will be a running log of what's going on as we take this journey.

HOW THIS ALL STARTED

Four or five years ago, I was watching a television show on the horrors of orphanages in China. As I watched that show, the Lord placed a burden in my heart for orphan children all over the world. I shared this burden with Heather and no one else. Several times over the next few years Heather and I discussed how we were to act or what we were going to do about the burden God had given our family. Early on, I felt led to look into adoption. Heather did not. So we prayed and did nothing. Over and over, the subject would resurface, but Heather and I could never agree on the direction God was leading. I believe now that this time of disagreement led us to pray deeper and seek harder the will of God.

A few weeks ago we were at a service for student pastors, their wives, and other youth workers and volunteers. The speaker was preaching on missions and how those who work with youth should be modeling a missional lifestyle. In the message, the Lord began speaking to me again about adoption as a lifestyle of missional and gospel living. And then...the speaker...said it. "You might not be called to go overseas and serve as a missionary, maybe God is calling you to adopt a child from one of those countries." I knew right then God wanted our family to adopt. Little did I know, God was speaking to Heather in the same way. After the service, I told Heather that I felt God was strongly leading us to consider adoption. She informed me she felt the same way and was ready to be obedient.

THE PROCESS BEGINS

The next several days were spent in prayer as Heather and I sought the Lord's confirmation of His will. We began doing research on the internet and realized that adoption is a huge need all over our world. We also realized that to adopt a child and make him/her a part of our family would be a daunting challenge. It would be one we could not do on our own, but we would have to depend totally on the Lord's provision and guidance.

As of this writing, we have researched three or four international adoption agencies. We are considering and praying about which one to use. We have decided to pursue an adoption from the Philippines. Our desire is to adopt a child (no gender preferred) under the age of four. As any new parent, we are praying our child would be healthy, but know that is in God's hands.

Since beginning this process, we have learned tons in a short time. We have grown more and more excited and are looking forward to what God has in store for us and what He will teach us over the next few months and years.

The one thing that held me back for so many years was money. International adoption is expensive and our family does not have the resources to afford adoption. Now that I am confident that God has called our family to adopt, money is not even a worry. I know that God has guided our family into this process and I know that He will provide for that need. I'm excited and anxious to see how He will come through.