So, the other night we went to a friend's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and such a blessing to see how God brought two of His followers together in such a sweet way. Little did I know, that during the reception, I would get a little love story of my own sent my way.
At the reception, our little Jayce was very cranky and in much need of sleep. So, faithful Daddy took him out in the hallway to swing him around in his carseat. (One of the very few tricks that can sometimes get him to successfully fall asleep.) After eating as fast as I could, I went out to join him in the hallway. As I looked around the corner, there was a little boy standing with Adam, helping him to rock baby Jayce to sleep. It was a priceless picture. The little boy informed me that he was six years old and his name was Jedidiah. Evidently there was a Filipino party going on in another part of the building that his family was attending, it must not have been too much fun for him, because he spent the rest of the night by our sides.
As I held Jayce and tried to nurse him to calm him down, little Jedidiah crawled up next to me in the big leather chair and just patted Jayce's head. He asked me questions and gave me hugs and most of all, tried to sooth little Jayce. Jayce seemed to be as happy with Jedidiah as Jedidiah was with him. He reach out and touched his face and they shared a few smiles. It was so precious. Adam came back soon to take Jayce and for the next 20 minutes or so, Jedidiah and I danced to the music coming from the reception party. We slow danced, we hopped, jumped, hugged, and laughed. It was indeed a special gift from God. One of my favorite moments of the night was when he quickly said "I'll be right back." and ran off before I could say anything. In a moment, he was back holding an M & M up for me to have. "For you!" he said with a grin on his face as the M & M accidently slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. He was devestated, his little grin turned into a frown. I immediately picked up the piece of candy from the floor and popped it in my mouth. "Thank you SO much," I said. "I LOVE chocolate." His smile returned and we went back to our dancing.
When the night was over, I could still see little Jedidiah's face smiling and laughing, and his little hands patting Jayce's head and trying to rock him to sleep. The desire to adopt a child from the Philippines grew so much stronger that night. I truly believe that it was a gift from God, telling me that we are heading in the right direction. I can hardly wait to hold our little blessing!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Meeting with the Curling Family
Last week we had the privilege of meeting with a precious family that has adopted not once, not twice, but three times from China. The Curling Family has adopted three beautiful Chinese girls over the last several years. It was wonderful to spend time with another family who possesses the same heart for adoption as we do. We heard about their three very different adoption experiences. We asked about the ups and downs, agencies to use, resources to consider, travel, cultural differences, everything! Needless to say, we gained a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement from the Curling family. We are now even more energized and excited about the adoption process!
Right now we are researching agencies who are able to assist with adoptions from the Philippines. We have several promising prospects. We are praying for wisdom and clarity about which agency to choose for our adoption. Please join us in prayer during this important part of our adoption process. Thank you.
Right now we are researching agencies who are able to assist with adoptions from the Philippines. We have several promising prospects. We are praying for wisdom and clarity about which agency to choose for our adoption. Please join us in prayer during this important part of our adoption process. Thank you.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Where it all began...
Christie: I remember when God first planted the seed of adoption in my heart. I was probably about 12 years old, and I was at home watching some kind of talk show, it may have been Oprah or maybe Maury, I really can't remember, but I do remember a young girl that they were interviewing on the show. She stood up and shared how she wanted to adopt because there was so many children out there who had no one to love them. As she spoke, something started inside of me. I pretty much made up my mind right then and there, that someday, some how, I would adopt.
As time went on, God continued to grow this dream in my heart. Verses about God being a Defender of the fatherless, setting the lonely in families, and how He adopted us into His family, stood out to me and gripped my heart. (Psalm 68:5-6, Deut. 10:18, Eph. 1:4-6) I remember the first time I read Ezekiel 16:4-14. It was a picture of what God had done for me, and I desired to show the love that He had shown me, to others. God gave His all so that I could be a part of His family, was I willing to do the same?
After I got married to my amazing husband Adam, the dream of adoption still would not go away. We became pregnant after 2 1/2 years of marriage and we were both thrilled. As I was carrying our precious son Jayce, I wondered if having him would effect my convictions about adoption. Jayce Adam was born August 24, 2009, and as I held him in my arms the first week after being home, I began to sob. All I could picture was him, being somewhere else, with no one to hold him, kiss him, sing to him, laugh with him, dream for him, provide for him, no one wanting him. Though I was weeping, I was also rejoicing, with the birth of my son, the dream of adoption had not disappeared, it had grown stronger! There were children out there who needed to be a part of our family, and I could hardly wait to bring them home!
Adam: I have always admired families who adopt. It is a selfless act. It is an act of sacrifice and of love. For the longest time I believed that in order to adopt you had to be well into your thirties and financially well-off. However, when God instructed His children in His word to care for orphans (James 1:27) He did not include any prerequisites necessary to do so. When I finally turned over my fears, misconceptions, and self-preserving ways to the Lord, He gave me peace and assurance about adopting. We needed to give a precious child in need a forever family.
The more I hold my precious son, Jayce, the more I realize how blessed he is to have a mom and a dad who love him, provide for him, and spend time with him. The littlest things we take for granted, a simple hug or smile, are often nonexistent in the lives of children in orphanages. I have come to the conclusion that we can't NOT adopt. We are so excited about the journey the Lord is about to take us on. We cannot wait to hold our new son or daughter for the first time!
As time went on, God continued to grow this dream in my heart. Verses about God being a Defender of the fatherless, setting the lonely in families, and how He adopted us into His family, stood out to me and gripped my heart. (Psalm 68:5-6, Deut. 10:18, Eph. 1:4-6) I remember the first time I read Ezekiel 16:4-14. It was a picture of what God had done for me, and I desired to show the love that He had shown me, to others. God gave His all so that I could be a part of His family, was I willing to do the same?
After I got married to my amazing husband Adam, the dream of adoption still would not go away. We became pregnant after 2 1/2 years of marriage and we were both thrilled. As I was carrying our precious son Jayce, I wondered if having him would effect my convictions about adoption. Jayce Adam was born August 24, 2009, and as I held him in my arms the first week after being home, I began to sob. All I could picture was him, being somewhere else, with no one to hold him, kiss him, sing to him, laugh with him, dream for him, provide for him, no one wanting him. Though I was weeping, I was also rejoicing, with the birth of my son, the dream of adoption had not disappeared, it had grown stronger! There were children out there who needed to be a part of our family, and I could hardly wait to bring them home!
Adam: I have always admired families who adopt. It is a selfless act. It is an act of sacrifice and of love. For the longest time I believed that in order to adopt you had to be well into your thirties and financially well-off. However, when God instructed His children in His word to care for orphans (James 1:27) He did not include any prerequisites necessary to do so. When I finally turned over my fears, misconceptions, and self-preserving ways to the Lord, He gave me peace and assurance about adopting. We needed to give a precious child in need a forever family.
The more I hold my precious son, Jayce, the more I realize how blessed he is to have a mom and a dad who love him, provide for him, and spend time with him. The littlest things we take for granted, a simple hug or smile, are often nonexistent in the lives of children in orphanages. I have come to the conclusion that we can't NOT adopt. We are so excited about the journey the Lord is about to take us on. We cannot wait to hold our new son or daughter for the first time!
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