The beginning of the journey

The following picture was taken five years ago this morning.

Looking at it as a casual observer it would be easy to be critical. The lighting is bad, the angle is bad, it's not the most flattering picture ever taken of Ian and I...

And yet it is perhaps my favorite because it documents the beginning of the journey...

We rarely ever set the timer on the camera to take a photo of the two of us, (especially back then at 6:30 in the morning) but that day we sensed the significance of being up early on a Saturday. I think we both knew in the back of our minds that the event we were going to attend was going to change the course of our lives (though neither of us knew at that time just how much). So we stopped for just a second on the morning of January 22, 2005 to take a picture of us, the two of us.

Then we drove through sleet and freezing rain from Charlotte to Greensboro to attend America World's Spirit of Adoption Seminar.

And just a few minutes into the presentation, we knew. Oh how grateful I am that we asked ourselves, "Can/should we adopt?" Just look at what I would have missed if we hadn't been obedient to God's gentle whisper.


Today as we all continue to be saddened by images we see coming out of Haiti, there are likely some of you, or your friends or family, thinking that you could bring one of the children of Haiti into your home. For right now that is not an option. (See this article from CNN if you want to have a better understanding why. And please continue to be generous with your financial support. Haiti needs each of us to step up and give beyond what is comfortable!)

BUT, that tugging on your heart for those orphans just may be a whisper from God. A whisper to ask yourself, "Can/should we adopt?" And if you hear the whisper, spend some time in prayer awaiting God's answer. You just might find a passion for the children of China, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Ukraine, or some of the foster kids here in our own country. There are infants, toddlers, elementary age kids, and teens around the world who will go to bed tonight without someone to call their own. You just might be that someone.

Don't let what is easy or convenient or what "makes sense" to the rest of the world stop you.
The road may not be easy. It may not make sense to others, financially or in how many kids you have or how old you are. (I have friends who probably had less money in the bank, had more kids, or are older than you). But what I can promise you is that if God leads you to adopt your life will never be the same again. And in this case, change is a good thing!