To Grow or Not To Grow

 

 

 

Time is flying. I can not believe it has been so long since I blogged. One thing is for sure, God is faithful. We have literally seen Him move mountains through our adoption. I can remember how scared we were to even begin the process. Now we are at the end (which is really the beginning). We will step on a plane next Friday to go and get Ty (Xiao Jie). It's really hard to believe that the time is here. To say I'm excited and scared is an understatement. My nervous stomach has been hating me every since we got travel approval. But God has been all over this adoption. I have seen Him meet our needs over and over again and so have my children. I know that this new beginning will also be hard. There will be many things we have to work through as a family. Ty will have feelings of grief and loss from leaving what is comfortable to him. Pray with us. Pray that God would fill our hearts with love and patience. Pray that Ty feels that love. I really just want to say Thank You. Thank you for praying for us, thank you for giving in so many different ways. We have seen the body of Christ pour out His blessings on us. We appreciate all the support.

 

My kids are always saying to Sara Beth how they wish she would never grow up. I can definately relate with them. It's hard to be around her cuteness and not fall in love and want her to always stay like that. We are creatures of habit. When things change we don't really like it. But I was thinking back the other day about what my life use to be like. I praise God that He has changed me. I have been saved and I'm being sanctified by a glorious Savior. This is a beautiful growth/change. I want this change, even when it has hard written all over it. This adoption process hasn't been easy, but God has taught me so much through it. He has created something new in me, a love for His children/orphans. I was that orphan before I knew Him. He has made me His, loved me, and give me a new song to sing (Psalms 40:3). He is so good to me. There is a newness in me that He has created. It's hard for me to look at my own children at times and not think of the countless who wait for someone to hold them and love them.  What will we do? Will we stay the same and choose not to grow or will will be molded by the Father daily? My hope is to leave the milk and move on to the steak (Hebrews 5:11-14), and if you know me you know I love steak lol. Today I hope that we all listen to our Lord and grow if whatever He is calling you to. Don't be afraid, just listen and move. I realize there is much to come that will test me and we have a long journey ahead, but I'm thankful to have my Lord walk with me through it. It is going to be heart wrenching to leave Justin and Sara Beth but I think about how they have had me all this time to love on them. Ty needs me in this moment and he has waited for 10 years. I will try to think about a Jim Elliot quote that I love while I'm in China. Here it goes:  “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
― Jim Elliot

 

These are our latest pictures of Ty just in case you missed them. It won't be long now.