Dear family and friends, YEP! We are adopting again!
Three years ago, Willy and I fell in love with little "Ivan" who was 2 years old at the time. Since birth, “Ivan” has been dealing with some unresolved cardiac problems. It was in 2013 that we pursued his adoption, but little “Ivan” was only available for adoption in his country ( in Eastern Europe) . For the last three years we have been praying that “Ivan” would be adopted so he could receive the love of a family and the proper medical care he needed. On March 2016 we received news that "Ivan" was still in his orphanage waiting for a family. This update broke our hearts, and brought us to our knees. After months of prayer we decided to look further into his adoption. “Ivan” is now 5 years old and available for international adoption. Sadly "Ivan” will be soon facing transfer from the "Baby House" orphanage to an older children - young adult institutional setting due to he turning five (this is NOT a good thing , for endless reasons). Here is a pic of Ivan from 3 years ago:
These 2 are updated pics :
We have shared our adoption news with just a few friends and we have received wonderful encouragement . Thank You!. From our past experience we know that we will hear numerous: "why?" "work situation in the medical field in general is not the best right now!", "why more work?"...
Although It has been a prayerful decision for us and Willy does a very good job at calming my fearful heart....almost every day ,since we signed on to pursue this adoption, I’ve had moments of fear. Even the strength of God’s calling us to this child , and at this time,does not drown out the fears and insecurities I have about adding "one more" to our home....
There are huge costs in adopting children. Some are financial; some are emotional. There are costs in time and stress for the rest of your life. You never stop being a parent till you die. And the stresses of being parents of adult children can be as great, or greater, than the stresses of caring for young children.... But there is something very deep and right about the embrace of this cost for the life of a child!
During the last 3 years ( since we adopted Nicholas) mission trips to Orphanages in Africa , Latin America and Eastern Europe kept popping up in my life... Although physically draining and heart wrenching ... " short term mission trips" is always a welcomed tempting opportunity that God places in our lives to "safely" share His love ... It’s one thing to take a missions trip to a foreign country and risk the potential health hazards and time away from family and friends...It’s another to add children to your home that will have a forever, and daily, impact on your family. “Success”, how many might define it, is not a guarantee.
I want God, not safety. I want His plans for my life, more than I want a life of ease. (At least most days.)
This time around, I’m moving a little more slowly Not because of that fear but because my quiet times sitting at my Father’s feet seem even more essential.
The body of Christ has precious hard working souls trying to get water to the thirsty. Others spending countless hours praying for those same sick bodies to be healed. Still others are called to worship God in the marketplace, and dreaming up business opportunities to fund food and clothing for these who are fatherless.
My reach will not be as broad. My money may not go as far. And my time will be isolated on just a few. But God has invited us to do this, now, at this time. Who can measure the infinite worth of a life (or three) given wings by the love from a mother or father?.... We couldn't just stop here... We must go back for our little boy , for the son we left behind...
We are moving forward with this adoption , with trembling hands, and expectant hearts. Please keep us in your prayers!
