What are you afraid of?

So as I prepare to start an orphan care ministry at NorthPointe, I once again picked up my Seeds of Change devotional on orphan care and started reading it. This time I think it spoke to me in a whole new way. Today's reading was about fears that many people have when it comes to adopting or not. Honestly, even though I try my hardest to follow God's will for my life and do what He asks of me, I have had these fears from time to time. But each time I do, I remind myself that God will provide. If taking care of the "least of these" is what He asks of each and every believer of Jesus Christ (and it is), then He will provide. Here is what I read:

"Until we see these children as our own, nothing will change, not on a macro scale and not in and through us. So, why are we blind? Why do we not see orphans as our own flesh? Are we so deceived that we do not recognize some sin blinding us from seeing God's heart for the orphan and our role with them? Or are we willfully refusing to remove the idols we have before our eyes because of what it will cost us? Idols that feed our flesh: Lust of the eye-we want to keep what we have and accumulate more. Lust of the flesh-we strive to re-order our lives in our efforts to be comfortable. The pride of life-we are too important, self-sufficient, self-actualizing, self-focused. Are we blinded by fear? Is it a sense of being overwhelmed by the need? 143 million fatherless kids-is such a great need simply too much for us to comprehend that we become paralyzed? Do we believe the lie that says nothing we do will have any real impact? Or are we afraid of being broken in ways that we do not want to be broken? Is it that we think that these kids' lives are damaged, and we don't want that messing up our carefully manicured and safe lives? Are we afraid of what God is going to demand of us if we truly engage? Jesus himself took on our brokenness. It cost Him, and He never condemned us and never feared to take on what we brought. We must not fear what God would bring to us through these children if God is leading us to them. The Lord our God who summoned us by name will be with us every step of the way." ~Kerry Hasenbalg

Wow, those are some powerful words, but words I hear all too often when I talk to people about them considering adoption. I'm pretty sure some of my friends are getting tired of me posting about orphans and adoption all the time on Facebook. As I have been reading this book, I put on my status something that will possibly make them think; I pray that it will. I just have this overwhelming desire to see that people realize that this is what God has called each of us to do-care for the least of these. What are you afraid of? Do something! These children are counting on you!

Red Thread Necklaces

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break."

Shannon and Valerie brought both Jackie and I these necklaces and now all four of us have the same ones. We were "destined to meet" and the Red Thread "will never break"...

God's Masterpieces...

I can't even begin to explain to you how blessed I felt these past few days. I am in awe of the Mighty God we serve and how He had this all in His plans from the very beginning. I knew Kennedi was loved very much by Shannon and Valerie, her foster moms in China, but I was shown this weekend just how much they love and adore her. It was so clear, from the moment they saw each other, that that love had still remained. Shannon and Valerie arrived with gifts for everyone which was so thoughtful. The girls couldn't get enough of them and had to sit with them as much as they could. We enjoyed a barbeque dinner together and Shannon and Valerie shared some stories of the girls and the times they had together. Shannon said them getting the girls was definitely a gift from God. They were not suppose to have them. Shannon had requested to have Kennedi because she was a teacher at her school, then they got Caroline. She said they would pray often for homes for the girls and at one point thought a home wasn't coming for Carrie and they'd have to take her back to Bao'An (their orphanage). God is good though and He already had two families for the girls. Shannon and Valerie made the transition for the girls so much easier, more than we could have ever hoped or prayed for. Many of the issues that are common with orphans and adoption (bed wetting, hording, etc.), Shannon and Valerie had to deal with and spent many sleepless nights with the girls. Thank God for them both and their willingness to take in two girls who had no muscle tone and didn't know how to even play, give them patience and love, and prepare them for life with a family. I cannot express to them enough how much I appreciate them. After dinner Valerie had to head out and start the drive back home to Ohio. It was so hard to see her go. Lots of tears were shed but we knew we'd see each other again. We then watched the fireworks and enjoyed the night. On Sunday we took Shannon and her friend Jim (he drove her down from San Francisco) to church and then out to lunch to Red Robin. After lunch they had to hit the road back to San Francisco. More tears shed as they loaded their car. So thankful for the time we had with them even though it was short. When you adopt, you wonder where your child is as you wait and if they are well taken care of. It's such a great feeling knowing that your child was loved so much by many people. After Shannon and Jim left we went to the movies with Caroline and her mom Jackie and saw Toy Story 3, then back to mom's for dinner. Caroline and Jackie headed home early this morning. It was such a wonderful time seeing them again and getting to know them even better. The girls will forever be friends and we all will forever be FAMILY...

Back Together Again!

Valerie (Mama Li) and the girls... 2010 above and 2007 below

Shannon (Goo Goo) and the girls... 2010 above and 2007 below

China Reunion Is Here!

I am constantly amazed at how God works things out when you think it's something that would never happen! We have been blessed to come in contact with BOTH of Kennedi's foster moms through Facebook and have gotten to know them over the last 2 years. Her foster mom Valerie (Mama Li) has been back in the States for awhile now but Shannon (GooGoo) remained in China to continue teaching. By this evening she will be loading a plane to come back to the States to return to school for her Masters. She will be flying into San Francisco and then a friend of her's is driving her to Kerman to spend the 3rd and 4th with us! When Shannon told me her plans to drive down to see us, I mentioned on Facebook that we need Valerie here for the reunion, and she said YES! Valerie is on her way to San Francisco to meet up with Shannon and they are driving down together! Once I heard they both were coming, I again mentioned on Facebook the need for Kennedi's friend Carrie (Gigi) to come to make it a complete China Reunion, and guess what? Carrie and her mom are coming too! They are actually on a plane as we speak on their way to Fresno. We will pick them up at noon! Carrie and Jackie will be staying at my mom's today through the 4th and will leave early on the 5th. The last time all 4 of them were together was almost 2 1/2 years ago, before Kennedi had to be returned to the orphanage to wait for us to come get her. All this is something that is never heard of with China adoptions, most families never know who the foster parents were, so we are thrilled that God allowed it to happen for Kennedi! It's going to be an amazing time, with lots of tears I'm sure. Tomorrow we are taking Carrie and Jackie up to Yosemite, Saturday Shannon and Valerie come and we have our annual barbeque and fireworks in Kerman, then Sunday they will all come to church with us to NorthPointe and have lunch afterwards then Shannon will have to leave back to San Francisco. It's going to be GREAT! Will post some pictures in the next few days!

On the adoption front, nothing new. We are still compiling information for our paperwork. It's really like buying a house or something but nothing anyone can't handle. It's simple really, just lots of information. Our time has been consumed lately with swim practices and swim meets, but we hope to have it turned in sometime next month so that we can begin the classes that are required and then the homestudy. My thoughts lately have been consumed with adoption and the children waiting for homes. God knows which little boy will be added to our family and I just pray that he is well taken care of and safe. The sooner we get this paperwork and homestudy done, the sooner he can come home. Praying that other families will pray about their roll in helping these children here and around the world that need loving homes...