Two Posts, One Day, WHAAA?!

Africa (specifically, the children of..) has really been on my heart today. Like, a lot. Here's why. MP and I both feel like we are being called to adopt. Admittedly, I was gung ho from the get go on the idea of it, but it took him a little longer to come around. Now it's a little more real. And a lot more scary. How do you know for sure? How do you determine what is God's will for your family versus what we want for our family? I think the answer is willingness. I don't think every family is necessarily called to adopt, but I do think that aiding orphans is a command not to be ignored. And I don't think willingness comes easily. But we ARE willing.

As our trip quickly approaches, we KNOW we'll be in a position to "put up or shut up", so to speak. It's easy to advocate for orphan rights. It's another thing to step up and do something about it. As parents, we both know that once we see firsthand the living conditions these kids are in it will completely break our hearts that have already begun to love a people we have never met. There will be no way we can stand there without contemplating a plan to adopt even just one child. I think we'll begin to see our own children in each of these kids and I feel like the Lord is nudging us to come prepared. Like, He wants us to "step up".

But I am scared. The whole idea and process of adoption is, quite honestly, a little bit crazy. It's a little uncomfortable to admit. There are intimidating amounts of paperwork to be completed. It is COMPLETELY opposite of what WE had planned for a little family of four. And it is so scary to commit. For several reasons, but for #1: adoption ain't cheap, yo. I have to continually remind myself that Mission trips aren't cheap either and yet the Lord has provided. I have to remember that it isn't coincidence that we have been brought together with a group who loves the fatherless like we do. And it is crazy that we are spending the remainder of our vacation time to fly 8,000 miles away to love on kids we've never met. Not because it's a luxury vacation, but because its something we feel like we were meant to do.

I'm telling you all of this now because MP and I are willing. We are going on this trip HOPING to meet our future child or children, but EXPECTING God to just use us. In any way possible, in as many ways as possible. We will be there as the hands and feet of Christ. We want to share our hearts and to be able to tell them about the love of a God who CAN RAISE THE DEAD. To Him, none can compare. I want them to know they are loved.

I just ask for prayer at this time. There is so much to pray for that I literally cannot even begin to make specific requests. Oh, and if you have $25k lying around, we'd be glad to take that too.

~cp