Meditation on Adoption

Just stop and think about this:  God adopts us!!

Though we were far from Him and sick with sin (with no way to get to Him on our own), God gave Christ so that those who believe in Him can be adopted as sons and daughters into God's family!  

The process we have to follow to adopt our child into our family sounds much more complicated, but is FAR less costly.  We are giving a year or two of our lives and some of our financial resources to this journey, but Christ sacrificed all--his very life--as an adoption fee for us.  We are privileged to have a family (someday) that will reflect God's loving plan for us so closely.  

Adoption is a miracle.  These are some scriptures verses that have been encouraging to us and other adoptive families as they wait to be united with their miracle.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. 

Proverbs 19:21

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18 

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

Psalm 40:1 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.  

Proverbs 3:5&6

Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Make your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice

for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.  

Proverbs 2:2-5

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper and not harm you. Plans for hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

I Thessalonians 5:24

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:1

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:  He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession."
Psalm 2:7-8

Hope for El Salvador

James got me this beautiful plaque for my birthday this year.  It was handmade in El Salvador, and what better word to summarize this path leading us to our child?  We don't know where our child is or when he/she will come home to us.  We are in the dark, but we know... we are sure in our hearts that we will be together in God's time.  Sometimes it's hard to keep hope alive, but my heart knows without a single doubt that God will take care of us and take care of our child until we are a family together.  

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Thanks Mom and Dad

... or should I say Grandma and Grandpa?

Kim's parents bought an "Orphan's Ticket Home" on Kim's birthday in honor of their grandchild!  They are so excited about meeting their grandchild.

Thank you Mom and Dad.

Orphan's Ticket Home

We are proud to be associated with America World. The longer we work with them, them the more we are convinced of their commitment to Christ and to the Biblical commands to care for orphans. We are proud of the integrity they demonstrate while working with foreign governments and all of their clients here at home.

AWAA launched a new initiative around Christmastime this year in response to orphaned children's need for legal identification in order to be considered adoptable. The initiative is called An Orphan's Ticket Home.

Here is what their website says:

Identity for Orphans in China & El Salvador 3,780 children given the opportunity for a "home"

One of the greatest challenges orphans face is they do not have the necessary paperwork in order to be adopted. With your support, America World is undertaking a new initiative to make children "paper-ready" in countries such as China and El Salvador. Through this program, we hope to provide the necessary legal services and documentation to help orphaned children overcome this problem and become eligible for adoption. What's more, documentation for children is crucial for those who will not be adopted as well. Simple basic documents, such as a birth certificate, provide children a ticket to a better education and health care. Purchasing one ticket provides identity papers for one child in El Salvador and up to four children in China.

We have purchased a ticket in honor of our child and are praying that God will use this campaign to bring life-giving change to children around the world. The AWAA website has more information about what they plan to accomplish with the resources they raise.

www.awaa.org/events/orphanstickethome