Grace

Today things look up.  Today I had several conversations with people close to me that were very encouraging on the adoption front.  It's always nice to get affirmation that we're doing the right thing.  So thank you to those that encouraged me today.

We know that there are going to be many many challenges ahead of us.  The training process will be hard.  The home study and licensing portion will be difficult.  The initial placement is going to push us to a place we've never been.  And then the adoption itself is going to be unknown territory.  But we aren't doing this alone.  Not only do we have a network of friends and family to turn to, but our Heavenly Father is going to give us the grace we need to handle each step.  He's not going to give it to us a minute sooner than we need it though.  It's not like we can put this off and wait until we're "ready".  We're not going to know all the answers or know how we're going to handle each situation until we get there.  And God's going to lead the way as He always does.

I know the biggest question to many people is the financial responsibility.  Here's my answer.  As with planning for a pregnancy, if you're waiting until you're comfortable financially, you'll be waiting forever.  There's never enough money to take the leap.  But for us, when it comes to having another child we trust in the Lord's provision for our family.  He has always provided for us.  It may not be the way we expected or hoped, but His provision is perfect.  We already have a big family.  There are already sacrifices we make and more sacrifices we are willing to make if necessary.  Adding to our family a little more isn't going to change that.  For example, Christian education is a priority for us but if at some point we can't afford to put them all in Regents then we will home school as many as we need to.  And God will give me the grace to do that too.  It's not the desire of my heart right now to home school and thankfully we can afford to send the two school aged children to a fantastic school, but at some point we may have to re-evaluate.

We don't mind using hand-me-downs.  We don't have to do all the extra-curriculars that our friends with 1 or 2 kids do.  We don't have to take fancy vacations.  Our kids will be just fine if they never go to Disney World.  Of course it's fun, but it's not ultimately going to change the person they become.  Our goal is to raise faithful Christian men and women.  Of course we want them to be well rounded and hard working.  They can learn those things without trips and sports teams though.  (This is in no way meant to bash those that can do those things.  I'd love to provide those things if we can.  It's just not a necessity as I'm sure you would agree.)

What matters now is that we are faithful.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

We have been called to be fruitful and multiply and take dominion over the earth.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:28

We are called to defend the fatherless
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless.
Psalm 82:3a 

We are called to trust in the Lord.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.  
Psalm 37:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

We know that children are a blessing from the Lord.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.  
Psalm 127:3

And so, for us, we are called to adopt.  We are called now.  He will give us the grace to go through this journey.  He will give us the support we need.  He will give us everything as He always has.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Phillippians 4:19