We just received word yesterday of a precious baby girl born on May 20th who was in need of a family. After a whirlwind of phone calls and emails, we were placed in contact with the birth mother today at 11am. We were able to talk with her for a very long time on the phone and just fell in love with her (and she with us)! So what that means is that we are suddenly leaving for Shreveport, LA Tuesday morning to pick up our new baby girl. We will be arriving in Shreveport Wednesday morning to begin the paperwork process.
We covet your prayers as we travel during this very emotional time. Please pray that things will flow smoothly and the paperwork angels will bring their 'A' game. :) Also for the peace that passes understanding for everyone involved.
The baby's birth name is "Alana Michelle". We are in awe of the fact that the birth mother gave her such a perfect name since Alan is Paul's middle name and of course Michelle.
If you would like to be part of what God is doing please click the PayPal button at the top of the page and you can donate. Every little bit helps.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A priest, arrested at Notre Dame
A priest, arrested at Notre Dame. For the first time in the history of the university. I don't know the actual arrest charge. But it is probably along on the lines of, "your 'kind' is not wanted here."
This is sad and disgusting. My six-year-old summed it up best. She asked what "the old man" was doing, and I was in too much shock to actually answer. She figured it out toward the end. "Oh, they are being Jesus on the cross."
This is sad and disgusting. My six-year-old summed it up best. She asked what "the old man" was doing, and I was in too much shock to actually answer. She figured it out toward the end. "Oh, they are being Jesus on the cross."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
"No, Mr. President"
A powerful video. A stand for life.
"Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America."
"Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
In Pain
Just 12 hours ago I was on cloud-9, excited about the rapid changes that were soon going to be happening in our family. We had been identified by a birth mother as the family she wanted for her baby. We were shocked and excited. We had heard about "the call" but now it had happened to us. The next day (last Friday) we sent a message back wanting to double-check that the birth mother was okay with the fact that we were pregnant. At 11am today the answer to our question came back: the birth mother had reconsidered.
She, upon reflecting on the due date, realized that they would be very close in age. This was something that we were actually excited about, but not something that she wanted to chose for her child.
So, now, I sit here, in shock. In shock that it hurts so much. A bit of whiplash from the sudden change of direction. Wondering 'what's God doing?' Feeling like I crashed into a brick wall at 400 miles per hour.
The only thing that I seem to be able to think is "I didn't know it would hurt this much." I'm surprised at how little time it takes to become attached to a person that I have never met. I think, maybe it's the idea of adoption, and not this child. Then I remember, I've been here before and I didn't feel like this.
But this one thing I know; I know that God is for me and not against me. That even though it feels like he is crushing me, that it His good pleasure to work into me the very things that I need. That I will run to Him rather than from Him. Even in the midst of the pain.
She, upon reflecting on the due date, realized that they would be very close in age. This was something that we were actually excited about, but not something that she wanted to chose for her child.
So, now, I sit here, in shock. In shock that it hurts so much. A bit of whiplash from the sudden change of direction. Wondering 'what's God doing?' Feeling like I crashed into a brick wall at 400 miles per hour.
The only thing that I seem to be able to think is "I didn't know it would hurt this much." I'm surprised at how little time it takes to become attached to a person that I have never met. I think, maybe it's the idea of adoption, and not this child. Then I remember, I've been here before and I didn't feel like this.
But this one thing I know; I know that God is for me and not against me. That even though it feels like he is crushing me, that it His good pleasure to work into me the very things that I need. That I will run to Him rather than from Him. Even in the midst of the pain.
Seriously Awesome Video
This is a time-lapse video of the earth from geosyncronous orbit. Seriously awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDvaU-GyIYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDvaU-GyIYE
Friday, May 8, 2009
In Amazement
It has been a little less than 24 hours since we were informed that we were matched with a birth mother. There are formalities and obstacles ahead on this journey that could de-rail this particular situation, but 24 hours in, it really looks like in 7 weeks we will become a multi-ethnic family!
As I sit on the airplane listening to my Matt Gillman and Corey Asbury on my iPod singing about the holiness and beauty of this God that we serve (on the album 'Holy') I am overwhelmed by His presence and His caring love. We have a lot of documentation to read and contracts to sign and money to raise so I decided to read a bunch of the paperwork on the plane. There is so much peace around this situation and I am filled with awe at the notion of what is about to occur in my family. Listening to the music makes me aware that this entire process has been orchestrated and ordained by Him. All we have done is obey and put one foot in front of the other, filling out paperwork and mailing it all over the country with more information that I care to think about.
When we first started this process most agencies we talked to looked at us like we were from Jupiter ("You have kids AND you want to adopt AND you WANT an African-American child?"). They just didn't know what to do with us. But we continued following the calling of God in our hearts and filled out the paperwork they asked for. Then, in November came the news that my wife was pregnant with our fifth child. Who would want to place with us now? Our home study wasn't even complete. Would the agency even finish it? They did finish it as we were so close to completing it (just needed one more set of finger prints and a personal reference). The were very nice but made it very clear that their agency wouldn't place with us and that it would be difficult to find someone. Of course we were very disappointed, but continued to speak to our souls and believe and trust in the God that only does wondrous things.
Our home study was completed on February 19, 2009. Now, here it is only 77 days later we get "the call". In spite of everything set against us. In spite of all the hurdles that we have setup for God. Most couples wait around a year to adopt. We haven't even waited 3 months. (Of course that's not counting the 7 years of waiting on God to open the door before now.)
Adoption is such a part of God's heart that he will overcome all the hurdles in his path to place the fatherless in homes and provide for orphans.
As I sit on the airplane listening to my Matt Gillman and Corey Asbury on my iPod singing about the holiness and beauty of this God that we serve (on the album 'Holy') I am overwhelmed by His presence and His caring love. We have a lot of documentation to read and contracts to sign and money to raise so I decided to read a bunch of the paperwork on the plane. There is so much peace around this situation and I am filled with awe at the notion of what is about to occur in my family. Listening to the music makes me aware that this entire process has been orchestrated and ordained by Him. All we have done is obey and put one foot in front of the other, filling out paperwork and mailing it all over the country with more information that I care to think about.
When we first started this process most agencies we talked to looked at us like we were from Jupiter ("You have kids AND you want to adopt AND you WANT an African-American child?"). They just didn't know what to do with us. But we continued following the calling of God in our hearts and filled out the paperwork they asked for. Then, in November came the news that my wife was pregnant with our fifth child. Who would want to place with us now? Our home study wasn't even complete. Would the agency even finish it? They did finish it as we were so close to completing it (just needed one more set of finger prints and a personal reference). The were very nice but made it very clear that their agency wouldn't place with us and that it would be difficult to find someone. Of course we were very disappointed, but continued to speak to our souls and believe and trust in the God that only does wondrous things.
Our home study was completed on February 19, 2009. Now, here it is only 77 days later we get "the call". In spite of everything set against us. In spite of all the hurdles that we have setup for God. Most couples wait around a year to adopt. We haven't even waited 3 months. (Of course that's not counting the 7 years of waiting on God to open the door before now.)
Adoption is such a part of God's heart that he will overcome all the hurdles in his path to place the fatherless in homes and provide for orphans.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Just can't wait to share!!!
We just got a call an hour or so ago that we were picked by a birth mom!!!!!! She lives in Illinois, and she said she picked our family because she wants her baby to have siblings. There are a few more formalities to go through before this is fully official, but at this point it looks like OUR baby GIRL will be born around June 30 (just over seven weeks away!). We are so excited!!!!!!!!! We're going to have "twins"!!
What an adventure this is!!!
What an adventure this is!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)