Surprised to see us at it again after just completing Simeon's adoption? We are too!
After going through the journey of adopting Isryelle and Boaz, Gavin and I both felt that we were done with that season in our lives. We both felt like we had been obedient, done what the Lord called us to do, and now we could just relax a little bit and recover from the last five years of this insane adoption roller coaster. We were content, happy, relaxed. We bought a new house, work was going well, adoption debt was starting to get paid off, we have six beautiful kids, life was good.
BUT GOD
About two months ago God starting stirring my heart towards the cause of the orphan yet again. I found myself sitting in church one Sunday morning requesting prayer that we could pay off adoption debt so we might be able to say "yes" to more children. As soon as the words came out of my mouth I was taken back! We didn't want to adopt again I told myself...we are comfortable. But God kept nudging me towards Him, towards His heart. I began to feel that God was asking me to do it again and I really wrestled with that. I spent weeks in prayer by myself just making sure that it was really God speaking and I wasn't just going insane! Every time I would doubt God would send me a message through scripture, a sermon, or a fellow adoptive mama's blog that would confirm again in my heart that God had another child out there for us somewhere.
So I decided to talk to Gavin who was completely uninterested...thought I was crazy. Cant say I blame him! I continued to pray for the Lords perfect timing. Eventually God started working on Gavin heart again and suddenly he started wanting to adopt again as well. So we agreed that we would wait until Simeon was 1 and then start an adoption process for a baby. We decided we needed something simple this time around and babies are simple compared to a traumatized older child trying to get a hold on their lives. But God had other plans.
It wasn't long before we saw our girl. Wild curls, gentle eyes, and a sweetness that we couldn't get past. She was older than we thought we would want to adopt, only about 4 months younger than Irelyn. She is in a country that has travel requirements that are much more intense than we were planning. She also has a special need that will require life long medication, frequent doctor visits, and a whole lot of love and support. But we were in love, no denying the Lord called us to this little one. So we did something really very simple, we said "Yes".
Now I have dreaded having to announce this adoption. You see people aren't always so supportive or kind about adoption...especially when you have done it several time. I hate the negative comments, I hate the judgement, I hate the rude accusations as to why we are "getting another one". Something I was asked a while back really stuck with me....
"Isn't four enough? What are you trying to prove?"
This question felt like a punch to the gut and nearly knocked the wind out of me. You know what? Four is not enough.
How many is enough when there are kids suffering without families?
How many is enough when a child goes without necessary medical care?
How many is enough when a child is left in a crib day and night? No love, no stimulation, no touch.
How many is enough when a child is treated like an animal because they were born different or special?
How many is enough when a child is committed to a mental institution at the age of six for having down syndrome, HIV, Cerebral Palsy, or Hydrocephalous?
How many is enough when a child leaves food in their mouth for hours after a meal because they are always hungry?
How many should we turn our backs on and leave in these conditions?
So no, four is not enough. Ten is not enough. Twenty is not enough.
We can never do enough because we can never rescue them all.
But we will sure as heck say YES every single time God asks us to.
For those of you that are excited for us, for her, and for this journey, we really appreciate your support and prayer! We are very excited, a bit nervous, but mostly just thankful that God has chosen us yet again to walk a hard path that is full of blessing.
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