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1.22.2010

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!

10 comments:

Amy Woods said...

Wow!!! I wish Brian and I would have thought to do that! I can't wait for you to be able to go and get Darcy!! I'm sorry about the whole TA thing. Good thing we serve a God who knows better than we do, huh? Hey, thank you for your encouraging words to me while I was in China and since I've been home. Sorry I've been so MIA. I just didn't have it in me to get on the computer. But as you can tell I'm on my way back!! Praise Jesus! I can't wait to follow along with your journey!!

Jess Danielson said...

That was a very good article! I have heard so many un-informed people say, "just go get one of those Haiti kids they just brought to the US" Ugh!
What a blessing it would be if all the Orphans of the world found their families and the hurt would be gone. I know that God will speak to someones heart after reading your wonderful post!

Lisa said...

Beautifully written, my friend!

I love that you had the foresight to take that picture...too cool!

Cindy M said...

Just call me crazy, girl. And, um, I'm assuming we're in that group of "older with a bunch of kids". The crazier the better, right?

And, BY THE WAY, could you two please age a little bit? Sheesh. Looks like that picture was taken last week. Annoying.

Glenda said...

Great post Kristi, so smart of you all to take a picture of the day God placed Kylie in your heart!
By the way, you could have been thinking about me and John in that last paragraph, regarding friends, couldn't you!
Glenda

Anonymous said...

nice post. thanks.

Larry and Carol said...

AMEN!!!

Pam said...

I love this post, Kristi. And I love your heart.

Nancy said...

Awesome post, Kristi!!!

The Ferrill's said...

Love this, Kristi!

It's so neat to reflect on the journey that God has brought you through...and I am so grateful to have "met" you and hope that I get to be an eyewitness to the rest of this story in your family! :)