Well there's much to say to say the least!
We're still pursuing Xiomara, but lately the pursuit is in prayer and in waiting patiently. It will probably be some time before we know more about the possibility of adopting Xio. In the mean time we've been filling out paper work feverishly, trying to get as far along in the adoption process as possible before the country closes so that our case could be "grandfathered" in.
As we've been waiting and praying and filing, God has brought along another unexpected joy into our lives! We came upon another little girl in need of a home! She was abandoned and then taken in by an adoption agency. As we prayed, we mysteriously felt God calling us to pursue this baby girl as well. When we inquired about her we were told that another family was adopting her. Three days later the agency called us back to report that the family had backed out, and to ask if we were still interested. The answer is Yes! Around our house we refer to this new little girl as "sweet girl."
So here we are...now pursuing the adoption of two beautiful Guatemalan girls!
If God gives us both girls- praise God! If He gives us one girl, praise God! The hardest to write, but none the less true, if He gives us no girls, praise God. We literally feel what Job states in 1.21 and what we sing so often in church
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be your name
Ready for more news?
We found out today that we need $12,750 by the end of this week in order for our adoption process to continue!
That sounds like a lot, but we believe that God has called us to this therefore He's going to fund it. All along money has honestly been the last thing on our minds. It seems like a no-brainer...He's going to provide for it. I don't mind telling people about the need either, because really it's a privilege! The people that give are getting to be a part of an answer to much prayer! If you're a part of the financial answer to prayer see the info on the right side of our blog for who to write checks to!
One of our mentors and dear friends encouraged Lindsey and I to do an exercise that at first seemed really silly. Per her instruction, we went to Party City and bought 5 helium balloons. We then wrote on them all of our fears and desperate prayers. Lindsey and I had a little ceremony in the Party City parking lot as we prayed through these things we'd written and then together let go of the balloons. Through tears we stood there holding each other and watched as the balloons drifted away into the evening sky and pictured God receiving our requests and concerns. We walked away feeling more peace as we once again presented all our hopes and fears before God and chose yet once again to Trust Him with all this!
-Chris
25 comments:
wow
Hey Guys! How do we donate???
Do you have a PayPal button??!
Please let me know!
amazing ... God has truly got you on a journey and we will stand with you in prayer and anything else we can do to help you ... Praise be to the Father author of our FAITH !!!
You are right God will provide and in mysterious ways ...
How exciting! Thanks for the comment on my blog. I wish I could help more. My email is doughty39@bellsouth.net.
$12,000 is a drop in the bucket to our God as you guys know. Can't wait to see how He provides it. I am so excited for you guys and will be praying for both of your darling little girls. Can't wait to hear more about sweet girl.
Congrats on the possibility of the opportunity to be the parents of two little ones, they are really lucky little girls. Praying the funds will be provided for you all.
Awww...praying this little girl will bless you like Peanut has blessed us. The need is so great and I praise God that you answered the call. Congratulations!
d:)
Awesome post!! We sang that song at church last Sunday and I thought about adoptions and mine especially. It is all God's to do with as He wants. We have to accept that. I pray He chooses to bless you with many children.
Gail
Hey guys!
I've been following your blog for a while, but never commented. Now, as I sit here watching my son (home from Guatemala for just 3 weeks), I have tears running down my face. Not just because you've answered the call to pursue 2 adoptions, but because of your never ending faith.
As you have for so long, continue to stay strong in your faith. Our God is amazing and He will provide!
Terry
Check is in the mail, wish it could be more. Gary and Judy Young, Shelbyville, IL
Chris and Lindsey,
Sorry for the second comment to this post, but just wanted to tell you thanks for stopping my blog.
I hope you don't mind, but I put your info there in order to try to get the word out about what you are facing. Please let me know if you want it removed for any reason.
Terry
You two, Xio and "sweet girl" are
all wrapped up in prayer (and tears). Love, Momma/Mary Helen
I love you guys and I just "met" you!! I SO appreciate your hearts for the Lord and your faithful attitudes! No doubt you are facing many fears but you are examples to all of us that God is bigger and He will provide for you! Thanks for sharing and loving Him!! I'll be praying for you! Can I get your email?
www.livelaughlove5.blogspot.com
Jami :)
That's so awesome that y'all might have two baby girls now! Way to go, Jesus!
Congrats on little girl #2! What an amazing journey the Lord has called you to, and He will provide for all the needs you have! We were just giving Him glory for that very thing tonight!
I just got off the phone with Corinne, what a small world. She is my very dearest friend. I'm coming to visit her soon and would love to meet you!!
Praying for you guys.
Just came across your site. We will be lifting you all up in prayer. It is a tough road but so worth it in the end. Continue to put your FAITH in Jesus alone. Hang on and your lives will never be the same.
Could you give us info on Abba's Children. We are interested for our youth at church or just our family. Thank you and know we are praying for you.
How exciting! We'll definitely be praying for your sweet family! You're right...God will provide! We still are in awe of how God provided for our adoptions!!! You'll be blown away at how He orchestrates everything to fall into place!! His plans are so much more than we could ever imagine!! Thank you for sharing your journey...one more way to show His glory and sovereignty! :)
The Lord does provide in amazing ways! We are praying for you and these two precious little girls. May you see the Lord's hand in amazing ways through your journey.
Chris and Lindsey,
My name is Amanda and I am Russ Mohr's little sister. I was looking through Russ and Katie's links on their blog and came across yours.
I will be praying for you guys more than you will know. I sat here and read your WHOLE BLOG through streams of tears.
I hope it is ok...I am going to put your blog as a link on my personal blog and hope that people will come and look at your story.
Love and prays being sent your way from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Amanda Mohr
What's the update? How close are you to your goal?
how awesome is our God. can't wait to hear how close you are to your goal.
Stephanie
hey guys! That is such wonderful news. I will continue to pray. I just got back from an adoption conference in DC where there was MUCH talk about Guatemala and all that is going on. There are so so many fighting this battle with you...know that...I truly believe that God will find a forever family for all the Guatemalan children who need them in His time--including those who may be placed in your family! Love to you~ Erica Penick
Chris & Lindsey, Molly gave me your site. I so feel your heartbeats.
As both an adoptive and foster mom these last 15 years, I've had the privilege of mothering many children not born to me. And yes, sacrifice has been involved as many of these little ones have left after being with us for a time. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
And yet, He calls us to love with abandon while holding them loosely.
Since we've been fostering with DHS, it has occurred to me that many of these children would never have had anyone lift their name to the Father if they hadn't spent some time in a Christian foster home. So no matter where they go when they leave, we can trust that their lives will be changed (maybe eternally) as a result of our prayers and nurture. You can believe the same on behalf of both sweet girls who've been brought into your path.
I'm so proud of you both! And am praying for you as you continue on this rollercoaster of a journey while you wait with breathless expectation of what He'll do. I've figured out that we're usually focused on the end result while He's more interested in what He's doing in the process. Ultimately, He just wants our hearts, and I know He has yours. Blessings, Donna Head
WOW! I just came arcoss your blog today while reading a few other friends blogs. Your story has sharpened me more than you'll ever know. Your faith amazes me. We're also in the middle of an adoption right now and to the world it seems financially impossible but NOTHING is impossible to God. Thank you for your obedience to pursue God's heart for adoption & for being brave enough to write about it. It's such an encouragement to others walking thru this with you. I love the way God brings adoptive families together to link arms and walk thru this amazing, scary, AWESOME journey together. Praying for you guys!
Laura
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