To my sweet Momma

I can't comprehend the fact that it's been a year without seeing you, feeling you, or hearing your voice. My brain could not handle this happening before and now that it's happened I don't know how to process it without wanting to deny and tell myself you'll be back soon.

I have put off writing in hopes that I could just mentally deal with the hurt inside, but my heart won't let me do that anymore. Until I write, this ocean of overwhelming emotion will not calm even the slightest bit.

I have tried to recall each day from last year; what happened on that particular day and what I was feeling midst the sadness. With every memory, my mind always brings me back to who YOU were. I've never seen you so physically helpless. I couldn't have even imagined you like that. You remained to be so powerful and strong for those around you. Every smile, every touch, every word you were able to muster up the strength to write, spoke volumes! You would wave when we'd walk through the ICU doors and we knew it took all of your strength to lift those few fingers. It was such a picture of your incredible heart for others. You had this look of confidence in your Savior and an overflowing joy with mention of your grand kids. I laugh every time I think of you rolling your eyes at Dad when he did something silly. You remained the same calm and laid back Momma that I've known all my life.

Defeated, some would say. Not you... You were strong while we crumbled knowing what a loss this would be. You were our rock and we realize this now more than ever. People have said, "It gets easier," or "Be thankful for good memories." While these things may be true, you certainly aren't someone who makes it easy to move forward. Some days I'm not sure I can put one foot in front of the other. In fact, I don't think I do. It's more like I've been carried. I don't know how to move forward without you Mom.

This day will forever be one I'd like to forget. While you met Jesus, we were left without you. What a comfort to know though that you saw Jesus and had such an attested sign that He was holding you and you were HIS. I prayed over and over for a miracle. I wanted God to take this away from you and heal you because I could not imagine living without you. I was angry when He didn't do that. I know now that He did show us a miracle. While it wasn't what we wanted, He made himself known through you in so many ways.

Elijah had a dream that we could go to Heaven and visit you in the summertime. I think that's a great idea. In someways I miss you more and I'm not sure the pain is getting any better. In others, I have seen how God can comfort and provide peace in the most unlikely things. Isaiah 41:10

Thank you for the legacy that you've given to all of us. You made life better! You were my greatest friend and I will forever be missing that. I can't wait to have a hug from you again. I'm remembering all the good today...there's so much good.

Love you sweet Momma!
LBT

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Say what?!

So, the last post that was written was the announcement of the unexpected pregnancy of our 5th child. Well, he is here. Yes, it is a he. Am I disappointed? No. Well, not now anyway. There was a part of me that thought I knew what God was doing when we once again found out we were pregnant and had not yet had a daughter. I thought, "oh wow, He is going to miraculously bless us with a daughter now that we've surrendered and realized NOTHING is in our hands." So, I can honestly say that when we found out it was a boy, again, my heart sank a little.

 On November 22, 2013 I met and fell in love with yet another boy. His name is Sterling Isaac Teefey and because of his sweet face and human form being brought into this world, I will never be the same. Sterling isn't just another boy! He is an amazing miracle that God chose to entrust to us.  Holy Heck. Why was I every disappointed? I didn't see the privilege of being a mother to this incredible little man, but now I do.

All that to say, I want to tell you about something I heard not too long ago. It's not much different than many of the things John and I hear on a daily basis, but it really kind of lit me on fire. I was picking up some things for my Dad at the small grocery store down from his house a few weeks ago. While I was walking down an aisle I overheard the conversation at the front of the store. The employee obviously new the man who was purchasing the items at the register. She said to him, "Congratulations on that new grand baby!" The man was being very thankful for the acknowledgment when another employee proceeded to ask if it was a boy or a girl. After the man told her it was a boy the employee stated very loudly, " Oh no! that's no fun. I'm so sorry!"

I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped and an eye roll flared even though I was clearly alone in the aisle looking for some chicken noodle soup. It saddens my heart that people are so down on having boys in this country. I do not doubt for one second that having a daughter is something very special, but come on mommas of boys. We have such a cool job. Scary? Yes, but a privilege to raise up men to be truth tellers, gospel lovers, women honorers, faithful husbands, orphan helpers, hard workers, etc... We need more of these. Little boys can't be pushed aside anymore and accepted as "the rowdy ones". They are unique as boys and need to be treated as such, but they also need guidance and instruction on how to love the Lord and be honoring to others.

It's hard work, I admit. There are days that I am exhausted and would rather give up. I'm so thankful that the God of this world doesn't let me give up. He grants me the grace to keep on going; to keep on fighting for them and with them. He longs to see them as men who bring Glory to His name. He loves them more than I ever will. Therefore, we have to believe, He is on our side. He is on their side, even when the grocery store employees aren't :).

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Here we go...

"Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

The last 3 years have been what seems like a constant changing in the Teefey house. After adopting Elijah in 2010, we have been blessed beyond reason. The twins were born 10 months later, we bought a new house (to accommodate), Manning started full time school, and John started a new job. The Lord has been teaching us through all of these things that He is in control, we depend on Him for each breath we take, and we have no idea what the next moment will hold for us. We started to feel like we could breathe again back in the fall of 2012 and really started praying about adopting once more in the near future. In February of 2013 we began talking to some different agencies about what the next step of adopting would look like. I'm not sure why God pulled our hearts so strongly in that direction only to change, once again, our plan of action. In March, we discovered that The Lord is going to add to our family again, but not through adoption at this time. We found out we were expecting a baby...only one this time! Wow, were we shocked!?!? I struggled for several weeks with questioning His plan and His sovereignty. I questioned my ability to parent another child so soon. I still wonder why this and not adoption. I don't know, and I may never know. But, I continue to have to go back to the proverb at the top. Trusting is not understanding. Trusting is mostly stepping out blindly and saying, "ok God".
We are excited to be expecting once again. Although this has been a surprise and somewhat a hurdle to wrap our minds around, we are thankful and truly feel blessed.
November 29, new baby Teefey will arrive!

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The masterpieces!

We've been pondering for awhile now what to do with all these amazing masterpieces that the kids create at home and bring home from school, church, etc...
We bought two long pieces of trim (approximately $2.00 ea.), and cut them down to size to fit our wall space. We then hot glued metal clips from Target onto each of the 3 cut pieces of trim. Later we added the wooden letters above, which I found at JoAnn Fabric. Now we can display all of these wonderful pictures. Easy Peasy.And, as you can see its already full!

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I Can't Do It

"Apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
These are the words I read today as I sat thinking about the events of the morning.

 I just wanted to go to a bible study for women to actually have adult conversation and pretend to be a showered, civilized woman. Ok, I also wanted to go without any stress, and to be honest that shouldn't be a realistic goal of mine anymore.

Over and over my physical limitations of only having 2 arms with 4 children proved my humanly weaknesses. I got them all into the van (only screaming at them once) and had a pretty peaceful drive to where I was going. Realizing I was about 20 minutes late, I decided to just haul the twins in my arms and not use the stroller to get into the building. Hello, what? I don't know what I was thinking. As we are headed in the door, both little boys are screaming and the two older are complaining about the wind, cold, and having to carry too much stuff for me. "Just hurry up!!!", I yell while barely making it through the door before it hit me from behind. Ok, the twins are now 20 months and I don't know if we just don't get them out enough or what but they have some separation anxiety going on...bad. I love it while we are home and they want to cuddle and always be close, but when they need to go play for mommy to get a little break, it becomes a real tough thing. All that to say, I made it in, although twins were screaming, I went to the study. It was great and much needed.

And, now its over and I have to go get the little darlings. I could hear the scream as I entered the hallway to the children's wing. Oh no! Oh yes, that was one of the twins. So, again it was quite a circus to get coats on and try to make it out the door just to get in the flipping van. I felt exhausted already from getting there. The hour and a half study just wasn't long enough. As Owen was flailing around screaming because he was desperately wanting to know if I was going to leave him again, Andrew decided he just might cry too. I mean, afterall, there was a chance I could take them back into that room where they had so much fun. ahhh!!! While, trying to carry the screaming duo and keeping the olders inline to get out the door, I had several sweet ladies ask if I needed help. "No! Why? why would you think that?! I can do this." Oh heavens. I made it to the van and as soon as I sat down, tears ran from my eyes. I felt the sting of pride, exhaustion, and utter weakness all throughout my being. I was mad that it's this hard to do one simple task. I was sad that my children are clingy and won't exactly take help from anyone. I was tired, and I didn't want to be. I was embarrassed, because I couldn't keep it together.

The simple reminder that we can't do anything without Him, was exactly what I needed to read. In my weakness, HE IS STRONG. In my weakness, others see HIS GRACE. In my weakness, I SEE HIS GRACE. I have to try and remind myself of this. I'm not superwoman. In fact, because I'm not superwoman I get to experience Christ in a way that I wouldn't if I were. When we go through trials and adversity, we become dependent on Christ. If we could do it all and not have to strive for perserverance through faith, we wouldn't depend on our Lord.

Father, thank you for reminding me today that I need you desperately. Thank you, that though it's hard and at times exhausting, you've given this family for me to love.

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My Child Puked Into My Mouth

  So, you ever had one of your kids throw up in your mouth?  Not, like, "Oh, I think a little of that vomit got into my mouth."  No, more like, "wow, most of that vomit is now in my mouth."  It reminded me of the SNL skit where the family chews up their food for each other (picture).

At about 5:00, our oldest son called me and said, "Dad, you need to come home right now.  Andrew is throwing up and mommy is sad.  You need to come home right now."  Fortunately, I was already on the road and almost home that night.  The twins had both been sick for a couple days, and poor Andrew couldn't keep anything down that day.  I walk in the door, and Lins is holding Andrew as Owen screams from his highchair.  Manning is running around yelling about something, and Elijah is slowly stroking Andrew's head (he's our lover).  I can quickly tell Lins needs a break, so she hands Andrew over to me.  For whatever reason my mouth apparently was as wide open as humanly possible and Andrew immediately shared most of his dinner with me...Shared it directly with me. I may never know why he strategically waited until Lins handed him over to me.
  Now, this seemed like a highly contagious transaction, and I was certain that the flu immediately engulfed my body.    But here I sit nearly 5 days later symptom free.  Although, I was looking forward to the following conversation:

PERSON:  Aw man, you got the flu?  How do you think you got it?

ME:  I'm pretty sure that I caught it when my son puked in my mouth.

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Updating Outdated Kitchen Counter

Before

                                         

After

  This is how you can change your old, outdated countertops without spending a fortune.  And all you need is 3-5 colors of paint, paper towels, and paint brushes.
  I really didn't like our fake butcher block counter tops, and I read several places that you could paint them. While John was at work one day, I took a stab at painting them with some random paint in the garage...We have a lot of leftovers. I was pleased to see how well it covered.
Now I am obsessed and want to do the whole thing for sure. :)
  I ended up buying some counter paint by Rustoleum at Lowes to put down first. I figured it had a much more durable surface to work with than whatever I was finding in the garage.
  Once the solid color was dry, I started dabbing. Using a paper towel. Yep. that's right...Crumple the paper towel, dip in the paint lightly and go to town stamping the counter. After about 5 different colors and several layers here are the before and afters.

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Adoption Video

  I don't think that we ever put Elijah's adoption video on this blog, so here you go.  Watching it brings up so many emotions.  The trip was exhausting, and Lins and I experienced so much excitement, and fear, and doubt, and hope every hour.  It was truly physically and emotionally draining.  But God has been excessively good to us, and Elijah continues to be such an incredible blessing to our family.  His love, kindness, selflessness, gentleness, and obedience have been overwhelming.

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Kickin It

  As most blogs seem to do, this blog has laid dormant for over 2 years.  The last update was in 2010, and at that time we were merely a family of 4.  Well, in that nearly 2 year period, we have added a couple more whipper snappers and now we blessedly sit as a family of 6.  We've also moved into a new (for us) house, and Lins has been chipping away at a ton of projects.

  So, we thought, given the uniqueness of our family, this blog would give us the opportunity to show our ups and downs and God's constant faithfulness along the way.  From house projects, to adoption stories, to projectile vomiting, you'll find it here.

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Ethiopia now Home

Elijah is home! The trip went well overall. LONG FLIGHT! We got there Monday night (July 19) late and met Elijah first thing the next morning. He was with us from then on. Wow! It seemed like this long awaited journey finally came to the moment we'd been waiting for. We prepared for the worst...screaming, scared, running away, confusion. John walked in his room and he ran to him and gave him a hug. His caregiver coached him and he began calling us Mommy and Daddy right away. He was excited to leave with us, and got upset when he felt we were going to leave without him. We prayed for his little heart to be prepared to meet us and know us, and it was as if he immediately did. He was holding the bear and album we had mailed him a few months ago and really seemed to comprehend we were the family in the pictures, the family that God had chosen for him. The week in Ethiopia was pretty good. We found out quickly that he was potty trained and loved food! yay! He began repeating English within the hour he was with us. The director and his wife told us that he was their favorite little boy and he was very sociable. They were right about the sociable part. We'd spend nights at the guest house in the other couples' rooms and he was the show. :) hmmm.... sounds like another little boy we know. The flight home went pretty smooth as well. He cried twice because he was sleepy, but fell asleep within 5-10 minutes.

Finally, we arrived home to Springfield at 5:00 Tuesday evening (26th). When we got in the car, he began crying because he was pretty freaked out about the carseat. yeah, no carseats in Ethiopia. It didn't last long. The first thing we did was....go through Dairy Queen drive through. Awww... a cheeseburger never tasted so good. Elijah loved the chicken strips and gravy. We missed Manning dearly so we asked Ginger to bring him home that night. They arrived after Elijah was asleep. It was so good to see his little smile and know he was ok. Grandparents are awesome. He wanted to see Elijah, so we let him take a flashlight in his room to look at him while he was sleeping.

The next morning Manning woke up first and when Elijah woke up they just kind of stared at each other. And, here's where the adjusting began. Let's just say it's been a tough 3 weeks. Not sure we could've fully comprehended what it meant to have a 2 year old and a 3 year old all of a sudden before we actually had a 2 year old and a 3 year old. Each week has been better. Lots of fighting over the same toy, whining, chasing, throwing, biting, and timeouts has been the story for the last few weeks. We are confident that soon they will learn that being friends is much easier.

We are happy Elijah's home. We are thankful for all of your prayers. He truly has a sweet spirit and we can already see ways that he fits the mold of our family so well.

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He's coming home

Today was a day that we finally heard a for sure answer to the question we've all been asking. When????
We will be traveling to Ethiopia on the 18th to meet our little Elijah.
Please pray for us and him as we embark on this journey and bring him home.

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He's Officially a Teefey!!!

We passed court today. Elijah John Bereket Teefey will be coming home mid July. We are very excited and feel so blessed to have the priviledge to welcome him into our family.

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Soon, very soon

I tell you what, the last month has been a harder wait for me than the last 2 years. But, God has been so good to us. Last week, 2 days before Ethiopia passed the law requiring two trips for adoption, we found out that our paperwork was received in court before that took effect and we'd only need to make ONE trip. This was such a blessing. Today, we got a tentative travel date (July 8!), which is great news as well. We will know for sure about this date after May 26. Wow, this is all happening at once. I can't wait to show you pictures of our little guy. He's, in my opinion, pretty adorable. Once we pass court, we will be able to post some pics. I can tell you this, we've decided on the name Elijah. Elijah means "The Lord is my God". One rule though, no calling him Eli. We can't have an Eli and a Manning. Too weird. If you can't figure this one out, ask someone who likes football.
Ok, so until next time. Peace.

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REFERRAL

We have some great news to share!
Last week we got a call from our agency and they had a referral for us. I just couldn't believe it. It's much sooner than what we expected.
We now have a 2 year old little boy waiting for us in Ethiopia. Hoping to travel within 3 to 4 months to bring him home.
We ask that you would continue to pray for us and for this little boy that now has a family that is very anxious to meet him and love him!

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Why Would You Ask People For Money?

This isn't a question that we've gotten very often, but it has been raised, and there are probably others who have the same questions. Why would you ask other people to give you financial support?

First, the adoption will cost us about $25,000 by the time all is said and done. Simply put, we don't have $25,000 sitting in a bank account right now. Here is a link to the fee schedule from our adoption agency. The total cost ($21,330 - $27,530) is written at the bottom of the fee schedule.

Secondly, it has never been our intention or hope that anyone would ever donate or give us support who didn't feel a particular calling or desire to support us in this endeavor. Our prayer and hope has always been that no one would ever feel pressured or guilty about not giving money. Your prayers and emotional support are just as important as your financial support. If someone has felt like they shouldn't give, then I hope he/she never feels an ounce of guilt. Our goal has always been that if someone feels led or called or passionate about being on this journey with us, then one tangible way they could help would be with financial support. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive, and it would be impossible for us to ever thank you all enough for you what you have meant to us.

Thirdly, we posted a lengthy post about how all Christians are called to love, visit, and care for orphans. All people are not called to adopt, but it could be that some are called to support those who are called to adopt. Similarly to providing financial support for someone traveling on a mission trip, our prayer was that this opportunity gave some the opportunity to join us on this mission.

There are some people who might say, "I am just too proud to ask anyone for money for something like this." I've been there, and let me be honest in saying that I have repented of my pride several times during this journey. Some of my thoughts have included: "will people think we're poor?"; "will families sit around their tables at night and talk about us?"; "Do people assume that I make a ton of money because I'm an attorney?"; "Will people talk about how we just bought new lawn chairs?"

Asking people to support us has been one of the most humbling experiences for us.....and that's a good thing. This whole process is so much bigger than just us. This is not about us thinking, "hey, I think it would be fun to adopt." This is not about one couple running off to save an orphan. This is about the entire body of Christ (the Church) coming together to live out our mandate to care for orphans.

It makes me think about the first Christians in Acts:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:32-35

We really cannot express how thankful and overwhelmed we are by the generosity of all of you right now. For us, it has been a modern-day expression of sharing what you have to help us bring home our child. We pray that we will be the same givers and sharers when you call on us.

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Why Are You Adopting From Ethiopia?

"If you're going to adopt, why don't you just adopt a white baby?" Even deeper than that question is the reasoning behind it. What they often really mean is "Maybe if you adopt a white baby, people might think she's really yours." "Won't this make your life easier?" "As your friend (family member, co-worker, etc.) wouldn't that make my life easier?" Or it's just as possible that they think it's flat out wrong.

By the world's standards, these questions and thoughts make all the sense in the world. After all, our very sin nature pulls us to identify ourselves according to the flesh. The secular world has also given us a variety of studies on this topic. One Study conducted recently attempted to discourage transracial adoption finding that although "transracial adoption itself does not produce psychological or other social problems in children," black children adopted into white families "often face major challenges as the only person of color in an all-white environment, trying to cope with being different."

The world loves these studies, because the world has a natural instinct to separate each of us according to the flesh. You know who else loves these studies? Christians who vale their hostility and insecurity with a pretense of care and love for these orphans who might face these "major challenges." "It's just not fair to the the child," you might hear them say. Are we too so infatuated with the flesh that we believe that a white orphan is better off living her life, motherless and fatherless, in an orphanage than to be adopted into a loving black family (or vice versa)? Are these "major challenges" too great of an obstacle for the reality of the gospel?

I am completely aware that there is some validity to these findings, and I know that a black child with white parents faces unique challenges and circumstances that most of us can never relate to. There is no doubt that white parents who choose to adopt a black baby must educate and prepare themselves to the reality of our racially-charged world. And I think it is irresponsible and abhorrent to adopt a child of another race simply to show off your uber-charity and your "I'm saving the world" persona. Adopting a child, especially one of another race, is a huge deal, and it should not be taken lightly or without much prayer and discernment. However, James 1:27 doesn't say that pure, undefiled religion is to visit orphans of your own color in their affliction. Psalm 82:3 doesn't say, Give justice to the weak and the fatherless of your own color.

Some will say, "it's just not right" or "back in my day," or "it's just the way I was raised," or "it's just not natural," etc., etc. All unacceptable excuses without a trace of biblical foundation or truth. Sin is sin regardless of what decade it originated in. And even if that's what the world believed back then and continues to believe today, scripture instructs us not to be conformed to the ways and thoughts of the world.

Scripture tells us that as sons and daughters of God, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28) And even if the world doesn't get this, we as Christians must. No matter what color you may be, if you have placed your faith in Christ, then you have been trans-racially adopted into the family of God. No matter what color of skin we have, we now stand as brothers and sisters sharing the same Father.

Russell Moore is is the Dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Moore is a strong adoption advocate and recently wrote a book called "Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches." In the book, Moore discusses at length the fact that many of the people who show the most disfavor to inter-racial adoption claim to be Christians. Moore says that these Christians "seem not to comprehend that their own devotion to their flesh would disqualify non-Semitic folks like them from the promise of God. If Jesus (a Middle Eastern, Galilean Jew) agreed with them on adoption and race, they'd be in hell....Our love for neighbor means we must prioritize the need for families for the fatherless, regardless of how their skin colors or languages line up with one another."

Finally, Moore says, "don't fear transracial adoption, whatever the racist relatives or 'progressive' experts say. There'll always be secularists -- and sadly, some church people too -- who will try to divide us up into neat categories of race and class. Jesus does the opposite, though. He sits us right down at the same table and feeds us bread and wine -- together."

So, why Ethiopia? First, why not? We are adopting a parentless orphan who needs a family. Her skin happens to be pretty dark. Secondly, God's providence has led us to Ethiopia. Lindsey especially has had a heart for the people of Africa for as long as she can remember. Coming from a small town, this is hard to explain apart from a supernatural conviction from God. Thirdly, we are surrounded by a church that supports and loves us, and our child will be embraced and loved as well. Fourth, we are called to international missions in one form or another. Fifth, we don't really know. In the previous post, I explained why we felt convicted to adopt. By God's grace, this journey has led us to Ethiopia, and we've embraced it.

Here's a short video from Russell Moore:

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Why Are You Doing This?

Throughout this journey, we have already addressed a variety of questions. Some understandable, some silly, some offensive, and some just sad. Here are a few: If you can have "your own" children, why are you adopting? Why would you adopt a black child? Why would you ask people to donate money?; people don't ask for money when they have "their own" kids. Why does it take so long? Why is it so expensive? ... and on and on.

Besides these questions, we have had a handful of people expressly disapproving and even encouraging us not to adopt. Sadly enough, most of those that disapprove the most are Christians. I don't get it, and I don't think I ever will, but out of love and obedience, I want to address some of these issues.

First, the bible does not mix punches when it talks about our mandate to care for orphans. All Christians are not called to adopt, but all Christians are called to care for orphans. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Psalm 10 says, "O Lord...,you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." Psalm 82:3 says, "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute." Isaiah 1:17: "learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause."

So, as a Christian, are you called to adopt? Maybe, maybe not. Are you called to care for orphans? YES.

I am also constantly reminded that I wasn't always a child of God's.....and you weren't either. In Romans, Paul tells us that we were once "slaves of sin." Romans 6:17 In 1 John 3, John says that, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin," and that "[t]his is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3: 9,10 Jesus even said that, "If God were your Father, you would love me," but as a slave to sin, "you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires." John 8:42, 44 Paul says that "by nature [we were] children of wrath." Eph 2:3

So, as a slave to sin, the bible says that I was also a child of the devil. As crazy as this may sound, the devil was once my father. That's pretty hardcore stuff. I hope this sounds awful and crazy and scary.....because it is.

Okay, so what about the adoption part? Well, we have to know where we were before we can rejoice at the magnitude of where we are. And I think it's pretty clear, that apart from the family of Christ, we were in a horrible place. Here's the good news:

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." Gal. 4:4-7

Through faith in Christ, I am no longer a slave to sin and the devil is no longer my father. Through faith in Christ, I have been adopted into the family of God, and God is my father, and I am his son. I was once lost, but Jesus did not leave me as on orphan, he came to me. John 14:18 I was an outsider with only an identity of the flesh to call my own, but now I am a "member of the household of God." Eph 2:19

That's the Gospel. Adoption is the Gospel. John Piper says that "the very heart of the gospel is God's passion to not only redeem sinners but to adopt them as his very own sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:4-5)."

Adoption is and has always been at the core of God's plan to redeem us. Lindsey and I feel personally convicted and called to honor and celebrate our own adoption and to care for orphans by adopting children into our own family.

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Moving along

It's been awhile since we've written. We just wanted to update on our adoption.
Since most of our paperwork can only be 15-18 months old, we are having to do some of that over, but it should'nt affect us much. Last week, we had to go to the city courthouse and get fingerprints taken. I had no idea that the crazy ink wouldn't come off for about 4 days! That was fun. Then, we had to send those fingerprints along with some other documents to the FBI. Our Homestudy also has to be updated, which will be happening in 2 weeks. Our social worker will come and check our home out and interview us once again. We are still on the wait list though, and everything is still moving along. In fact, we get updates each Friday from our agency and we try to keep a tab of where we are in the line. I think we are currently in the 40's, which is exciting. It doesn't seem that long ago that we started at like #107 or something. So, we are hopeful to meet our child sooner than later. We continue to pray that he/she is safe and knows that we already love them. They are already a part of our family. We just can't wait to physically show this little girl or guy that.

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Song

One of our friends sent us this song last night.
Good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y

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Waiting is hard

So, I was very naive to believe that getting the paperwork done was the hardest part of this journey. No, I didn't enjoy doing all of that, but it didn't pull on my emotions constantly either. It honestly feels like I've been pregnant for almost 2 years. Now, mind you, the best phsyical pregnancy of all time, but the worst emotionally. It's hard to even imagine what he/she will look like, how old, the time frame of when we'll see a picture, etc... I'm just not very good at this. If you read this and would say a prayer for us, we would greatly appreciate it.

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