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September 25, 2011

Do you need refreshment?? Are you TIRED?

I am unwinding today from the AMAZING Hope at Home conference. There were about 70 people at the conference…and I have to tell you–I LOVED this part because it was truly a time of RESTORATION and CONNECTION. Believe it or not–I can be a recluse some times…I think it has something to do with having 4 kids constantly on top of me and needing REST.

I wanted to share something from the time at Hope at Home with you all that really ministered to my SOUL…like to the DEPTH of my soul…and if you are reading this far–maybe it is for you too.

Michelle Haswell led a session on REST and the LORD RESTORING. Her husband and pastor of Northlands church felt led to share a bit after her talk–and this couple truly spoke from the Lord. Are YOU there right now?? You know God called you to THIS–but gosh…the “THIS” often leaves you feeling really tired. You feel you once had margin, peace, joy, easier days…but some of those things you have (as Michelle put it) “hung them back in your closet. For a season–during a transition of a new one home, a change in your family or just the changing stages of your children–you have had to hang up something your heart once held as precious. And doing without some of these things for too long–has left you tired.

The Lord loves you TOO much to leave you in that place.

Earlier that day I was praying about what God wanted to give the ladies at the next two Created for Care retreats. I thought about HIS FAITHFULNESS…even His faithfulness THROUGH the tired. A song came on that morning as I sat in the prayer room by myself–I knew the Lord wanted to remind me of this…and He wants to remind moms of this as they come in January and March…and RIGHT NOW.

Turn the music off up top. And listen to this:

MY GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL.

Praise Him!!!

He is good!

Always!!!

Do you want to know HOW He has been faithful to me???

Can I tell you???

All the things I prayed for…He has answered these…

My godly, amazing husband Rich. I prayed for a man who would love me as Christ loves the church. Thank you Father for him. I was full of fear I would never be a mom…my heart LONGED for this. Parker. Laney. Frank. Isaac….and our little girl coming. THANK YOU. I longed for a third child…I hated the months of trying and waiting…but Lord–you taught me what GIFTS Parker and Laney were in this…how all my children were miracles!!! You taught me in the hard months how PRECIOUS my children are!!! I THOUGHT I knew…but you really showed me!!! YOU are Faithful!!! Never once did I ever walk alone…I see that now Father!!! Through the journey of following you I have been tired many times. THIS is one of them. But you carry me. I lift my hands. You are FAITHFUL. Every step…you showed us the way. In our adoption wait–I thought my heart might burst. Would you really bring us a son??? We were SO SURE you had called us. Some times the waiting led to doubts…to fears. And then–we saw Isaac’s picture. You are faithful. I worried would he walk–would he do this or that? Yes, I know You tell me not to worry…I see Lord–I get it. YOU. ARE. FAITHFUL. You love me. I can trust You!!! My son walks. He laughs. There were months I wondered if he would love me back…HE DOES. You are faithful. I love the hard things. I love the beautiful things you have given our family through them. Some times I doubt the new adoption journey–CAN I REALLY PARENT ANOTHER CHILD? It’s not too late to run;). BUT I know YOUR voice. You are faithful. And we will not be walking alone. The world might look in and shake their heads…they might not approve…but we seek YOU Jesus. We want Your approval. We want to trust the ONE who is FAITHFUL to us…yesterday, today and always. Thank you LORD for your FAITHFULNESS!

Sooo…as you listened to that song…what came to your mind? How has HE been faithful to you???

I have to tell you something pretty cool. Sitting in Michelle’s talk about REST and RESTORATION…I remembered that ONLY HE brings rest and restoration. Only HE rebuilds. And WHAT He rebuilds is even more beautiful than what you gave up to follow Him. And in time–He brings BACK many of the things you had to “hang up” for a time. Peace…joy…strength…whatever they are–He is faithful to bring those things back again.

After the talk, Greg and Michelle played that VERY song…for us to listen to. The VERY song I felt the Lord showed me just hours earlier and as I listened I felt the Lord say “THIS is what I want you to know and remember!” HIS FAITHFULNESS.

And the tears began to fall. As I remembered HIS FAITHFULNESS–I wept. And REST filled my soul. As I thought about His faithfulness…my mind and heart felt strengthened and even restored.

I was reminded this weekend–my children will always, always, always have countless needs and requests…but the thing I need (and what they also need) MOST is for me to put BOTH of my arms wrapped around my Father in Heaven and fall in love with Him all over again…and again…and again.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He grestores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I kwalk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

How wonderful it IS to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness!!! I feel ready and excited to start my week…and so, so thankful I have a personal relationship with a FAITHFUL God in Heaven!!! How amazing it is to be the daughter of the King!!!

XOXO,

Andrea

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Elizabeth Smith - September 25, 2011 - 11:22 pm

Both of my K kids have just memorized Psalm 23… So all of this is so fresh on my mind! I adore that Psalm so much because each time I hear it I have a visual in my mind! The words are so amazing! Thank you for sharing your heart!

Christy - September 26, 2011 - 6:52 am

This is my FAVORITE song right now. We have this cd and I’ve even got to playing it so much that now my 2 year old says “again!” when it ends on car rides. 😉 Another one by him was “God of Our Yesterdays” that carried us through some very long hard days during a difficult season, and it still brings gratitude to my heart now every time I hear it. Glad you were able to get away for some rest and refreshment this weekend. I was just telling a friend going to C4C how I don’t know how in the world you do so much! 🙂

april - September 26, 2011 - 7:11 am

Never once is a song i heard a few weeks ago and God used it in a mighty way for my heart and healing of grieving annabelle, it has since become my anthem in a way. i love the song.

Kelly - September 26, 2011 - 7:12 am

Thanks for being real and for including the “it’s not too late to run” comment. Whereas, you followed it with a ;), I recognize the truth in that statement. We’re in the process of adopting siblings from Ethiopia, and this LONG wait is breeding ground for DOUBT! I’ve found myself stating your comment exactly on occasion. I mean, we already have three kids! I believe Satan is at work in trying to prevent two more orphans from being in God’s family (and ours). I’ve been going back to “You, God, will provide what I need to parent five children.”

Elle J - September 26, 2011 - 10:53 am

Just as I needed today, Andrea!! Thanks for the words of encouragement and truth. xo

Courtney - September 26, 2011 - 2:16 pm

i really needed to hear this today. 3 months into bringing 2 boys home from africa and i am TIRED to the CORE.

Audrey @thebrownbrigade - September 26, 2011 - 3:45 pm

I needed this today girl.

September 24, 2011

Created for Care…a 2nd retreat in MARCH!

***Visit www.createdforcare.org to see new information about the March retreat now!!! Registration begins WEDNESDAY!***

I am SUPER excited to finally get to share with y’all that we have prayed…made a GAZILLION phone calls…and worked around the clock since our January retreat registration opened and was full in just 9 hours! After much prayer and trying a million different solutions–we have decided to have a SECOND retreat to accommodate the 200 moms on the wait list and more that would like to come if they had the opportunity. AND–another miracle…it’s in MARCH–the the resort is graciously granting us the SAME rates for you ladies!!! We are getting rates for March that are half the cost as what it would be for you to stay on the lake here March 23rd-25th…and we are SO THANKFUL and SO EXCITED!

We wanted to share our hearts and how we came to this decision as you can imagine you get many suggestions and opinions to WEIGH through–but ultimately we were left with the option we believe will be best for all the women coming. OF COURSE the FIRST thing we tried to do was find a retreat like place BIG enough to hold 1,000 ladies. Only…there are no retreats that will hold THAT many…just hotels. And hotels of that size–will cost our moms twice the price. We kept praying…kept searching. I felt the Lord asking me to REMEMBER His calling on us for these retreats. They were to bring REST to moms…to CONNECT them to HIM…to CONNECT them with one another. We all know when you go to an event–A BIG EVENT–it can be much harder to connect with anyone–and often you can leave feeling MORE disconnected. Aside from the fact we couldn’t find a hotel OPEN for our retreat dates OR the expense…we also knew it’d be hard to CONNECT and TRULY minister to moms right where they are. THEN…we prayed about TWO sweet retreats…

OF COURSE it made sense to do a 2nd retreat in ANOTHER location. SO–the phone calls began. Probably 150 hours worth of phone calls–a couple dozen proposals…and the BEST anyone could give us was still TWICE the price as what we were getting at the beautiful, lodge. It was becoming apparent that for whatever reason we had favor at this particular place!!! We continued our search–we all lost lots of sleep…and finally…we realized to pull off another retreat in ANOTHER state–would require ANOTHER team! WHICH WE ARE PRAYING FOR!!! IF YOU feel led to be a part of ANOTHER location team–we want you to come to the March retreat to meet with us–to pray, to brainstorm, to consider how we can best serve adoption moms in need of REST, CONNECTING, RETREAT, RESTORATION together!!!

Just as I was ready to hang up my hat–I couldn’t. I felt like the Lord had clearly showed us that there were 200 women who would have loved to come to the January retreat…and SO many more who I know would want to come if we not only opened it up to the wait list but to OTHER adoption moms who didn’t get on the wait list. While we KNEW some would still want to get into the January retreat to hang out with this group or that–we knew our first priority needed to be opening up ANOTHER retreat to meet HIS purpose for the retreats…to BRING REST, to BRING RESTORATION, to EVEN BRING LAUGHTER AND JOY, to BRING MOMS WHO WERE TIRED BACK TO THE HEART OF WORSHIP…and really–it wouldn’t matter if there was ONE big retreat or even TWO big retreats…because more women could be served…more could be healed…more could be restored…and more could ACTUALLY connect!

I also KNEW that there was NO way we could get the rates they had already given us SUCH a break on in January for the moms in their PEAK season. BUT. THEY. DID. God’s grace! Granted–it had to go through a gazillion people to get approved–but it did…and we are STOKED!!! The lake in the SPRING…with adoption moms…with speakers who I just love their hearts…with breakout sessions–who would be JUST as excited to come back and serve!!!

Our March retreat is scheduled for March 23rd-25th!!! It will take place at Lake Lanier Legacy Lodge–in the SPRING! We know we will have several moms who might want to switch to March–and you can absolutely do that if you wish!! BUT if you are going to switch–please do so before registration opens online September 28th to EVERYONE!!!

Thankful for this crazy crew who partners with Created for Care in serving…(60 Feet mommas!)

SO THANKFUL for all the moms RETURNING to serve!!!! Even this crazy momma with a FULL plate thinks EACH and every one of y’all are important and valued…and gosh, we’d just all love to celebrate together ALL He has done and ALL He will do!!! (Thank you KJ for being willing to come to Atlanta AGAIN! I’m SO thankful AND excited to see what God has in store for this SECOND retreat of 2012!)

We have super exciting different things at each retreat…so it’s a toss up if I had to CHOOSE one which I would attend! More than anything–we wanted to SERVE you. Even though I’m at the same place as so many of you…feeling a NEED for a break…a DESIRE to connect…WITHOUT REST–BUT READY TO RECEIVE HIS RESTORATION…I am just excited to serve…because I know how much so many of you NEED this. No, we are NOT perfect–but the trust of the matter is…we want to serve and we are seeking Him how to best serve each of you. (I’ll also be honest and say ADOPTION MOMS are the easiest group of ladies to serve!! I feel like you all are just thankful and without complaint–and for that it is a TRUE JOY TO SERVE! I can’t WAIT to see many more of you in MARCH!) Truly–it is going to be another AMAZING, AMAZING weekend!!!! I know we will have several moms ask if they can attend BOTH. We ask for now you please just pick one to leave room for every mom who would like to attend–BUT if you are interested in coming to be a VOLUNTEER at the March retreat–contact us:).

I just returned from the Hope at Home conference and I’m so thankful to have Dr.Susan Hillis, Beth Templeton and Jenni Means…AND so many more ladies who served at this conference returning to BOTH retreats! We are sooooo thankful for all you bloggin’ moms and adoption moms who are leading breakouts and such who are behind us and also excited about a 2nd retreat!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Alright…so help us spread the word! It’s gonna be an amazzzzzziiiiiinnnnnggg retreat!!!!!!! If you know an adoption mom who might be interested in the March retreat–PLEASE pass on the word! I. Can’t. WAIT!

XOXO,

Andrea

P.S. If you comments, opinions, ideas or anything about future retreats–they ARE important to us!!! Please, please email us and let us know because although we are volunteer moms and crazy, busy–each and everyone of you ARE important to us and we want to serve you the BEST we can!!!! LOVE y’all!

P.S.S. IF you’d like to come a DAY early to this retreat too–it’s an option for you AS WELL!!! There are many outdoor activities you can do also!!! Trail rides for just $35…you could split a pontoon boat among your girlfriends that join you early for a couple of hours…OR just sit on the pier and have your quiet time at Harbour Landing…so many fun things to do outdoors!

P.S.S.S. For more on the March retreat and registration–please visit www.createdforcare.org

Posted in Created for Care Adoption Retreat
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Krystal Strong - September 24, 2011 - 11:39 pm

I am so very excited…can’t wait to register for the March retreat! God bless you and all your helpers who so thoughtfully organized a second retreat…such a blessing!

Amber - September 24, 2011 - 11:45 pm

So excited!! Talking with my friend to figure out what we want to do. Thanks for offering a second retreat. Hoping to register for the March retreat tomorrow. 😀

Kelly - September 25, 2011 - 10:31 am

I’m considering switching to the March retreat because my friend didn’t make it into the January retreat! WOOHOO! And, I’m totally down with being on a team to plan a retreat in another state! 🙂

ericahalpin - September 25, 2011 - 3:59 pm

So excited!!!! Tried to register for the January conference and was so sad that I couldn’t come. Hopefully I will be able to get in on the march conference.

Lari - September 25, 2011 - 4:15 pm

I’m excited that there’s going to be another one even though I can’t go this year…definitely looking to try for next year though…so wonderful to see God at work through all this.

Lisa - October 30, 2011 - 1:48 am

I want to go on retreat. Please send information. Thank you so much

Stephanie Painter - December 11, 2011 - 10:38 pm

I am a ‘waiting’ adoptive mom. We are hoping to travel in February or March to bring home our daughter, Lily. Therefore, I can’t make it to the March retreat and I know January is already full. I came across your blog and just wanted to connect and I hope that you might continue the retreats in the future. I would love to attend one. God is working in my heart and I am excited to be a part of this journey for Him. Do you have an e-mail distribution?
Love in Christ,
Stephanie

September 21, 2011

the word at our house…

I have a couple of really fun announcements to make–but my brain hurts from not being able to sleep last night…so the fun announcements have to wait until tomorrow:) Rico Suave has been in Bristol, and momma doesn’t sleep so great when he’s gone! Thankfully–he just got home. Yay! In fun NEWS…Canon shipped my camera back–covered the repair AND I just got it back today. Have you missed fun pictures of our crazy life??? WELL…that’s about to change:)

All I have for you today are things I MUST remember. The word at our house today:

(You must know that poor ITY always has a runny nose. Bless his heart..)
Isaac says to Frank, “Hey, Yaya. Wuv you Yaya.”
Frank: “I NOT YAYA!!!! I FRANK! If I Yaya, then you snotty. SNOTTY!”
Isaac: “BE NICE! BE NICE FRANK! BE NICE!”
Frank: “I NOT BE NICE! I FRANK!”

Poor Frankie baby. He might not be getting a scholarship–but at least he has personality.

Alright…hope y’all have a great day tomorrow. I’ll have our day in pictures I am quite sure!!!

XOXO!

Andrea

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Harriett - September 22, 2011 - 7:33 am

Too cute!!! I love that Frank— so honest!!

Kim - September 22, 2011 - 10:17 am

So glad you wrote that down! Too cute!
Totally reminds me of when our Matthew (now 11) responded at 3 years old to Mommy calling him “cutie”. “I not cutie, I BATMAN”!

CJB - September 22, 2011 - 3:17 pm

Oh, your Frankie Baby! I could just eat him up! And what a priceless conversation and picture. Cute, funny, crazy, treasured moments! And hey–are those my socks??? Just kidding! Love ya!

admin - September 22, 2011 - 3:23 pm

Christina!!!! YOU just made me laugh out loud!!! MAYBE they are your socks! SO FUNNY!!!! You want them back??? Oh…you mean to tell me that YOU don’t NEED them?? Well, then I’d like to keep them. SOOOOO FUNNY!!! Still laugh about that! LOOOOVE YOU.

Holly - September 22, 2011 - 6:49 pm

Hearing about these boys always makes my day. Esp this YaYa business. HA and now Frank is retaliating with “snotty.” Ha ha ha.

Steph - September 22, 2011 - 9:02 pm

My two youngest are just a year apart; reading this dialogue made me feel like you had been in my house!

Sandi - September 23, 2011 - 10:13 am

The YaYa, Snotty exchange is hilarious! You have little geniuses!!! My 5 yr old has been telling our whole family that he will only answer when addressed by his full name but that his “new” middle name is “Fire”. God bless little boys!

Dawn - September 23, 2011 - 5:34 pm

He he he……Love it! 🙂

September 18, 2011

i survived:)

WHEW!! Rico Suave jetted off for a guys golf weekend and momma ran solo…until my padres popped in town for a quick Saturday night visit! I forced the parents to come with me to the African Family Fellowship at the Vogeltanz house. My camera is STILL off at Canon (they said it’d be shipped next week!) Thankfully, Angie grabbed a picture of our boys…the one picture I of course would have been sad not to have my camera for. Thankful Angie always has her camera with her:) We HEART the Carley family!!! We totally didn’t plan their outfits…they are just totally in sync:)

Too cute Silas…don’t you just LOVE his hair???!!!! LOVE this kid!

SO THANKFUL that Richard is now home!!! After church I took my kiddos for a nutritious lunch at McDonalds…and let them build up their immunities by playing on the indoor jungle gym:). I NEVER go to McD’s…but that is how desperate momma was to kill some time before daddy got home today!!! Rico Suave, the organic chef at our house, would DIE if he knew they ate there…so I hid all evidence and we’ll see if he reads my blog tomorrow while he’s at work;)

Last but not least…are you in the Atlanta area and you are a family blessed by adoption??? THEN…it’s NOT TOO LATE to sign up to come to the Hope at Home conferenced at Northlands THIS WEEKEND!

Hope y’all have a great Monday!!!

XOXO,

Andrea

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Kim - September 19, 2011 - 12:30 am

Adorable photos! Please give Emily my best next time you see her!

Christy - September 19, 2011 - 6:12 am

haha – I laughed at the McD’s comment because I had to feed mine there twice this week because it was so crazy there a couple of days and it was the only restaurant with a drive through. And I didnt even have adoption paperwork to do or a husband out of town, so I definitely think you had a great reason! 🙂

Betsy Emerson - September 20, 2011 - 2:52 pm

Hey Andrea! Chad and I are planning on coming to the conference ( we have to leave early on Sat ). We are not officially registered, I can’t seem to get the website to take my credit card, didn’t get an answer at the church or to my email… soo…. do you think it’s Ok, to just show up? Hope to get to visit with you, we have some exciting news….. (:

Rod & Jenn - September 20, 2011 - 4:45 pm

Love your blogs! We are also adopting from Ethiopia through AGCI! We started exactly one year after you guys and it’s taking WAY longer than we hoped! So we’re a bit jealous of your story, but very encouraged at the same time!

kim - September 21, 2011 - 11:58 am

Absolutely adorable!!!!

September 17, 2011

Our Invincible God…

How we saw our invisible and invincible God today…

As we pulled up to the assisted living today–I heard my children going back and forth about the words invincible and invisible (Harriett, thank your daughter for me for teaching them the difference!) They came to the conclusion before they jumped out of the van that although our God seemed often invisible to us–He is EVERY WHERE–and He is, indeed, invincible.

Invincible: adj. incapable of being defeated

He ALWAYS wins in the end.

Always.

That isn’t to say that there won’t be many times in your life when you FEEL defeated at times. The truth is though, when you surrender your life to Christ–when God is for you–His ways WILL prevail in and for your life…always.

(If you’re a new blog reader–you must know on Fridays our homeschool day begins with volunteering at a sweet assisted living Alzheimer’s wing. You can read our last entry about our assisted living day here.)

This morning, we ran into the assisted living carrying art paper (I was so proud of the frame paper we found for our group to put their masterpieces on!) and dot art paint markers (I was SURE this was simple enough to be a hit! Let me just say my kids loved it–and yours would too!) We brought plastic tea cups for tea party fun and play dough. I was so excited…and while it WAS fun–it didn’t quite go as planned.

I passed out the frame papers, and explained what we’d be doing today–all the while Frank and Isaac were making their rounds putting Marti Gras beads on all of our friends.

Everyone had different feelings today about our planned activities. Michael* was upset with me for bringing dot art. He said he didn’t want to do things kids were supposed to do (I can hardly blame him), and today he refused to participate. Daisy* was thrilled and just wanted to watch Parker paint. And Betty*…well, she was at the play dough table and asked for a spoon. I was sure she wanted it for the same reasons my children ask for utensils for play dough fun–simply to cut and shape it with.

Our sweet friends were not coordinated enough to do the dot art. Paint was on the tables, and I was running around quickly wiping them off with baby wipes before the stain set in the wood. We quickly put up the paint and set up shop for Parker and Laney to paint masterpieces while some watched. After each piece was completed–they gifted their art to one of their older friends–and even Michael was pleased with this.

A nurse ran to me wanting to know what was in the play dough we had delivered to Frank’s table at Table 1. Frank was busy making “spaghetti” with the purple play dough–but the friends at Table 1 thought it was really spaghetti and ate it. Sweet Betty didn’t even bother with the spaghetti. She just used the spoon I had given her as if the hot pink dough was yogurt. To Table 1’s disapproval (they weren’t done with their purple spaghetti), we quickly put up the play dough. (The side of the tube only warned CONTAINS: WHEAT – So, I’m hoping colorful stools is the only harm done today.)

Table 2 had requested water–and they were pouring water in all the plastic tea cups we brought, and they were having a tea party. Daisy* decided it would be funny to spill her water ON HER PANTS to make Isaac laugh…which she WAS successful with. He thought it was hysterical–and she adores his cackle giggle. So she preceded to pour all of the water in her cup on her pants. I thought maybe it was an accident so I ran to stop her. She grabbed my arm and said, “I am doing this on purpose. I love to hear him laugh.” And then…I realized the art, the play dough, the chaos WE WERE CREATING wasn’t necessary at all.

I sat down for a moment to catch my breath, and I introduced myself to Thomas* for the tenth time in our morning. I was wearing a Wiphan shirt, and he asked me for the tenth time as I sat there what that crazy word was and what it meant. I explained it again…and he smiled. He asked me if I knew God–and I assured him that I did. Thomas told me he became a believer at 41 years old, and it was a miracle that he did. I love that he remembered that. He asked me my name again…and what that crazy word was on my shirt again…

What are we doing here???

The nurse across the room must have read my mind because she walked over and grabbed me.

She said,“Don’t worry about the art or the play dough or bringing any thing but yourselves. Look at them. Just look. Do you see their faces when your children walk in the door? Look at them laughing and smiling. These children are enough. Please don’t stop coming. They need you here.”

I stood there thinking of their beautiful lives. Memories long gone…and like Michael*, it wasn’t his dream to sit around in a room with friends and their oxygen tanks waiting for the next activity or coloring book to be placed in front of them. But their lives are far from over. And I feel we have so, so much to learn from them.

Some might look into this picture and say, “Oh Lord–PLEASE take me before I get that old!” But I have a feeling our invincible God still has a plan for each of these precious people. And for us being there too.

Most of these precious new friends are widows. James 1:27 tells us to visit orphans AND widows in their distress…AND to keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

Micheal* grabbed Harriett’s* hand. They sat there. Content just being together.

WHAT IF??? I can’t help but ask this question: What if God’s plan for us to not be polluted by the world would only be fulfilled through our visiting orphans and widows??? What if He wanted to teach us how to live through our visiting them??? What if God’s plan for them was to actually minister to US as we visited???

Many times–we have and see situations where it seems God is INVISIBLE. Situations where we want to ask, “WHY??!!!” Or “Where ARE YOU God?!”

But the truth is…my “invisible” God isn’t invisible at all. He has a couple of extra letters to His nature–He is invincible. His ultimate purposed always prevails…even for the widow sitting behind a blank piece of paper on oxygen.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

SHE IS CHANGING ME. And I am humbled. Although to us His plans don’t always make sense…

His plans are PERFECT. How could I ever forget…

On April 7, 2010–my cell phone rang unexpectedly. In another part of the country–another mom’s phone rang too.

That sweet day–we both received calls that would CHANGE our lives. Yet, we didn’t know each other YET.

Our God is omniscient…all-knowing…how His plans are perfect!

We had received the referral call telling us we had a son across the world that afternoon–and so had my new found friend Laura. I read on the list serve that she had also received her referral–so I called her to celebrate our news with one another. We immediately hoped we would travel together to meet our boys and bring them home.

As different complications came up (as they always do with international adoption it seems), our family ended up traveling first and Laura’s family would travel 4 weeks later. I had such a special place in my heart for her son–as we had been emailing and I was heartbroken to know her son would have to wait longer at the orphanage before getting to finally come home. I promised to give him hugs, take lots of pictures and to visit him as much as possible while we were there. I discovered OUR BOYS had been roommates–with their cribs side by side…and they had spent MONTHS there together. I had a HARD time getting my new sweet son to stop crying, but if I sat him next to Luke–he’d stop…and his world was well again.

Meeting him was such a precious moment for me. When you WAIT for your CHILD for MONTHS across the world–your heart is SO PULLED. Some days, you literally feel SICK. Really, unless you have been there, it’s unexplainable. I captured EVERY moment I could. I went back to the orphanage to visit him daily. And I took a gazillion pictures and video footage to take home with me hoping this would hold them over for four long weeks until they got to travel themselves.

Finally a month later, he came home–and I got meet Laura in person for the first time at the Created for Care retreat the following February. We talked here and there–but the real excitement came when she told me her husband MIGHT be taking a job close to us…which HE DID–and they moved JUST down the road from us this past JUNE!!!

Now…this might not seem that amazing to you. BUT–it really is…

At one point, these two little boys went through some very difficult things…God brought them together–and they were put side by side in an orphanage. He would place them in families on the OTHER side of the world…and eventually–he’d bring them back together again.

Can’t you just imagine God smiling on the afternoon of April 7th when I called Laura to tell her we also got our referral and maybe we’d travel together??? Or when we called one another disappointed that we wouldn’t be traveling together…so we wouldn’t get to experience our boys together or meet??? I just love how we serve a God of details. And that so often things do NOT make sense to us…and when we are in the THICK of it…we can wonder what in the WORLD He is up to!!!

But all along…He has a perfect plan…

And today’s plan for us–included fist bumps between best buds…

So thankful Isaac and Luke get to see each other on a weekly basis and how much joy they STILL bring to one another! I’m convinced their hearts are connected like brothers…

God promises that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. And that–really is ENOUGH.

BUT, He loves us more than we could possibly EVEN DREAM. And He loved these boys enough to not only NEVER leave them. But to put them in families that adored them to pieces. And to even take them across the world…and make their paths not only cross–but to stand still and grow together once again. Isn’t HE amazing???!!!

Could *I* have planned it ANY better? Absolutely not. How I love His ways!!!

Trusting Him with you for the days ahead…and through times that don’t make sense. And so thankful we serve a God of details, a Maker who knows everything from beginning to end, and whose plans are absolutely perfect!

XOXO,

Andrea

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Lisa - September 17, 2011 - 3:34 am

I definitely think all you have shared about God being interested in the details IS TRULY AMAZING! How much of a God-coincidence is it that Isaac and Laura’s boy can now play together. Nobody could have orchestrated that better than our great God. THanks for encouraging me yet again.

Christy - September 17, 2011 - 6:52 am

Definitely think one of the reasons your blog is my favorite is because of how much you focus on trusting and timing – two things I’m constantly working through in my head and heart. Thanks for your encouraging words again! And the funny stories! 🙂

Briana - September 17, 2011 - 8:18 am

I am moved by your weekly visit to the assisted living facility, and amazed by the reconnection of the boys! Love it!

Elle J - September 17, 2011 - 10:29 am

From the perspective that my Grandmother lived a long 98 years, the last 8 with Alzheimer’s … THANK YOU for your service to these precious “Grandparents”. You are not only serving them by being WITH them and treating them with much love, but you are serving their families who may not be able to see them as often as you have dedicated your weekly visits. Thank you. Blessings to your sweet kiddos for “getting it” so young and for adding those laughs to their day.

Dawn - September 17, 2011 - 7:56 pm

LOVE God stories!!!

And the fact that God uses your family to bless those that the world often forgets.

Sandi Herring - September 18, 2011 - 6:33 pm

I love your heart for the elderly-my favorite place is the nursing home cause it’s like having a ton of grandparents! God made me ready a room that I THOUGHT was for my future adopted child. Now the day it is ready my baby brother needs a place to stay. It is MIND BOGGLING how perfect GOD’s timing is even when we think that delays are unanswered prayers…He knows best! I needed this reminder today!!

Rebecca - September 19, 2011 - 6:18 am

Love how God is in the details, and how He is always guiding and molding us. Needed this today, thanks!

A friend and I have been thinking (need to move beyond that, eh?) of taking our kids to a nursing home for almost a year. We kept getting caught up in the logistics of what to do while there. This is a good reminder just to go!