Fact #4 About Adoption

There are more orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa 

than children in Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Norway and Canada combined.

Fact #3 About Adoption

If 1 family in every 3 churches in the US adopted a child, we would adopt every child in need of a family in the US.

Matthew 18:5 - "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

John 11:52 -  "And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world."

James 1:27 - "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

This has been tugging on my heart this week as we were asked to pray over our "circled prayers" at chapel, these things we were supposed to be focusing on for 21 days.  I realized that there is a bigger reason behind why Ryne and I have chosen to adopt.  We are called.  God has called us all.  I can not wait to adopt. I can not wait to be a wife.  I can not wait to have a family.  

God is so good.

Love these words

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

Strong words. Words to live (and love) by.

Love Without Boundaries

This is an amazing organization that has helped me become more knowledgable of the needs of those beautiful children in China.  Most importantly it has helped so many children, and they continue to do whatever they can to keep caring for those little loved ones.

One of my favorite students, who travels to China in the summer to work in an orphanage (for fun because she loves Jesus!) sent me this link to a special posting by their CEO about why international adoption still matters...take a look...if not for what she had to say, at least to see their beautiful faces...

http://www.lwbcommunity.org/why-international-adoption-still-matters-2

Fact #2 About Adoption

Approximately 15 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa....That is equal to a population greater than all of New England...

Adoption Facts - click here

Fact #1 About Adoption

More than 1/3 of Americans have considered adopting, 
but no more than 2% have actually adopted.

Click here for additional adoption information

Day 1: How this journey began

You may not know this, but Ryne and I have decided to adopt.  

Not any time soon, but we will one day.

The story of how this all came about started back when City Church was "The Well" and all we had was an auditorium and maybe 300-400 people on a good day.

One week Matthew had a guest on "the couch" come talk about adoption and the significance of adoption and how we as Christians are called to greater things, and greater ways to serve.

That was it for me.  I was hooked.  My heart was so full of excitement knowing that one day I would adopt.

Ryne on the other hand, not so easy to convince.  When we started dating and it was an automatic "no."  He was concerned with what people would think.  Or how they would perceive us.  I didn't let that stop me, and neither did the Lord.

A change of heart took place here in Orlando at a regular Sunday church service when the focus of the sermon and overall message of the day was, you guessed it, adoption. 

I couldn't believe it. There we sat. Crying. Yes...even Ryne.  We were so moved by the message and the families we know that have adopted, and how they have changed peoples lives.  Hearts were changed that day.  We know we have to follow what God has called us to do.

We have set up a blog to document our lives and the journey of adoption.  It will be a way for us to look back after our future children are all grown up and show them that they were so loved and so cared for even before they were born.

Even though we aren't married yet, we have set up a paypal account to help fund this incredible journey that God is taking us on.  We don't know when, or from where, or how, but we know with God's guidance we will adopt one day.