Encouragement along the way

Encouragement -- what a concept!!! As I've matured in age and as my faith continues to grow, so does my strong need for encouragement. At times it's hard to admit the need for encouragement because I've never wanted to view myself as one who is "needy". It always symbolized a huge weakness, or so I thought. As far as I can remember back I've always been so darned independent and absolutely despised asking for help along the way. Rather spoiled at times, I prided myself on doing things "My way". After all, I was raised in the South where that sense of "Southern Pride" was just a part of our everyday lifestyles and was considered a much-coveted attribute to have. How was I to know that later in life these qualities would serve as such a huge hindrance?

As we continue along this adoption journey, there's so many lessons involving the impact of encouragement (and sometimes the opposite - the discouragement). There are those family members and friends whom we felt would wholeheartedly embrace our calling to adopt; many of them were filled with happiness for us, while others left us surprised and baffled with their unappreciative (sometimes unjustifiedly rude) responses to our family's adoption plans. At times I've really struggled, especially being the overly-analytical type (a trait I can say I honestly acquired), because I've tried to rationalize why others might have reservations about our adoption plans. Pondering over others' disapproval wasn't the most pleasant of times to endure, but I now understand it was necessary to the growth process and strengthening of our family's walk with our Lord. Thankfully , the Lord interrupted me before I exerted too much energy with rationalizing, and He redirected me to what was more important bringing my focus back to Him! Hallelujah!!!! That Satan tried to lay a trap out for our family but with eyes focused on Jesus, we were able to make it through. What a wonderful feeling to know how He provides great encouragement day by day!

Encouragement has come at so many levels and from so many sources. We're so blessed to have so many people praying alongside with us, and there are many others whom we prayerfully lift up and seek to bless as well. We appreciate each and every one of you whom have held our family up in prayer! (Just a huge thanks being sent out. Don'[t get the wrong idea, we still need your prayers so don't stop!) Outside of our family and friends, and our church family, and co-workers, whoever thought the internet would provide such a network of friends? I certainly didn't think it was possible, but have learned to count my online buddies as those providing some of the strongest bonds and friendships. There's many contacts from the lists and yahoogroups I participate in that have provided encouragement and support along the way. I'm especially thankful to a group that meets online for prayer once a week through a Christian chat site -- what a blessed group of individuals and great encouragers! Wow, I get goosebumps just trying to envision how powerful our group is as we sit at our computers at different locations around the world, all praying the same prayers. I also have to say that my cousin Cliff and his wife Kelly (who are also adopting) have been inspirational. There's also some other families who've either already adopted, or are in process for adopting sibling groups, who have inspired us. Many of them have blogs which I look forward to looking in on as we share this process together.

It has been a struggle at times placing our faith completely in the Lord for continued guidance throughout this adoption. Many struggles have culminated from the uncertainty of where the finances would come from as the expenses are very costly. We encountered the need to reach out for help and applied for grants from some of those affiliations set up to help families out with adoption funding. We felt led to apply to only two of the grant agencies, both which were Christian-based. One was Shaohannah's Hope and the other was Hadassah's Hope.

We got turned down for the grant from Shaohannah's Hope, which was a bit surprising being that this is a Foundation formed by Steven Curtis Chapman's family. I really felt there was a little promise for receiving this adoption grant based upon a series of events that transpired at the very beginning of our adoption endeavor. Here's a very condensed version of how Steven Curtis Chapman (with the help of God) influenced our adoption process: In October of 2005, just before it became evident that the Lord was preparing our family for adoption, one Saturday afternoon my daughter and I were doing chores around the house while playing the stereo rather loudly. The song on the CD was playing "God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Almost 3/4 of the way through the song both Marissa and I heard a jubilant voice shout, "HI THERE!" The voice seemed to come from the base of the stairs just below and we both wondered who had entered our house without our knowledge or consent. As we looked around, there was nobody there, and since there was fresh snow falling outside, we searched outside for tracks, yet there were none. We had both heard this voice so distinctly, and after getting a little spooked, could only explain it as just hearing the audible voice of God. So as I mentioned, we felt this connection with the Chapman family based on how God had made His presence known and how appropriately fitting that the announcement of "HI THERE" would come during a song entitled "God is God". Despite their inability to help our family through a financial grant, we feel so blessed to have had God interrupt the song long enough to do a sound check and raise our attention level to HIM! The lyrics to that song really do fit appropriately with our situation! What a tremendous blessing!

We are pleased to announce that we were chosen as recipients of a small incentive grant from Hadassaah's Hope. Ironically, I felt more positive vibes all along with this organization, and we are pleased to receive their financial help in reaching our dream with our new additions to the family. Many more posts will detail our involvement with Hadassah's Hope as we are very excited to partner with their affiliation as we become strong advocates for delivering information about adoption and sharing with them our story. I'll post many more entries defining our commitment to work with the Hadassah's Hope organization, but if you are interested in learning more, their website is www.hadassahshope.org

Again, we thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. It strengthens our faith! We have so much to be grateful for -- God's goodness continues to grace us and His encouragement is ever-present at we journey through each day! Not only in the good times, He is worthy of all praise; and we lift our hands to heaven in thanks for all our days!