ORPHAN SUNDAY

I had the opportunity to worship at Southland Christian Church this morning.  The music was wonderful, the baptisms joyous, and the message of atonement and redemption timely.  Amidst all this combined with the fact that my brother-in-law was sure to have us seated on the very front row, I must admit I still had a hard time focusing.  I found myself anxious.  Being Orphan Sunday, I found myself praying fervently.  I prayed that God would move mightily in the hearts of His people, that the church would arise, and answer the cry of the orphans. 

Following the service, I headed to the atrium to don my wild lime green shirt and join with fellow adoption support group members and friends.  From 1-4 p.m. an adoption/orphan care event was taking place.  Couples came to learn more about foster care, domestic adoption, and international adoption.  For some in attendance, they were simply daring to broach the subject of adoption, and for others their mind was made up and their plan of attack already set in motion.  It was a beautiful sight to see so many gathered together with like minds and purpose.  Registrations exceeded what we had anticipated, and it was evident that God really showed up in a big way.  It was an ever present reminder that God really is capable of doing more than we could ever ask or imagine. 

Jon rolled in after preaching at GCC just in time to eat.  From the table, we headed to speak on an Adoptive Parents Panel.  There was some great Q&A and dialogue.  I only wish we had more time.  However, Jon and I were able to speak to several couples individually and share more specifically about our adoption with Ethiopia or our experience with our agency.  Speaking of, America World also had a strong presence as there was an informational table available and two of our KY Associates led a break-out session on International Adoption.  While the Bowman's handled those duties, Jon hung out at the AWAA table, and I played with some cutie pies in the childcare room.

The afternoon was a buzz of activity complimented by lime green clad ladies and gentlemen.  I can't say enough good things about this support group.  Even though we aren't able to worship as frequently as we'd like with the Southland family and aren't members there, we have always been made to feel 100% a part of this group.  The support was tremendous to us on the receiving end, and it is phenomenal to be on the giving end.  I was truly touched by my sweet husband.  In his gentle response and words of encouragement, he ministered to a very broken woman in the wake of a failed adoption.  I believe his tenderness was balm for her wounds.  I was so very proud to be Jon's wife in that moment.  I know others in the group had shared experiences.  I believe we will see some new faces at our next support group meeting!

Orphan Sunday is a great day to turn our focus, prayers, hearts, and actions towards the fatherless.  However, with 147 million orphans, we need ORPHAN EVERYDAY until they all have homes.  My prayer is the same as it was before the adoption event.  God move mightily in the hearts of Your people, may Your church arise and answer the cry of the orphans.

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

"Adopted By Design"

This morning, Jon and I had the opportunity to do one of my absolute favorite things... talk adoption.  As we have had the privilege to do on several other occassions, we attended an America World Adoption Association seminar to share our family's personal adoption experience.  Even though we participated in a seminar just a couple weeks prior, the story NEVER grows old.  ADOPTION:  God is the author, and He is in the miracle writing business. 

Every time we serve as a speaking family, I pray that God is glorified.  I pray that He is magnified and "we" are minimized.  As I told one of the couples Jon and I spoke to individually, so often people say, "Your kids are so lucky to have you."  Wow - they have it all wrong!!!!  We are so very humbled and blessed to be afforded the opportunity and responsibility to parent these precious little ones.  We have many flaws and make tons of mistakes, yet God entrusted and gifted them to us.  Adoption is nothing that WE did - it is ALL God!  He writes the story.

I just completed Mary Beth Chapman's Choosing to See.  This book was absolutely breath-taking, gripping, raw, emotional, hilarious, heartbreaking...  REAL!  One of the things she repeated in her book was having a story to steward.  Wholeheartedly, I believe, our adoption experience is our story to steward.  God did a tremendous work within us and so many others throughout the process, in fact His fingerprints continue to appear each day, how could we possibly keep silent?  In the independent Christian church, we shy away from the word TESTIFY a lot, but from my very core, I know that I cannot keep silent about what God has done in my life through the miracle of adoption... earthly and spiritually!

As our wonderful agency has now newly coined their seminars, we truly are "Adopted by Design."  I love America World!  Their ministry, heart for orphans, dedication, and desire to serve are ever present.  We experienced it, and we consider it pure joy to direct others to their very capable and loving hands.  God writes the story, and I am thankful for the many AWAA staff God cast as both major and minor characters in ours.