Harvesting Hearts in Vietnam: Oops could figure out how to get pictures in last one.

How our Adoption Journey Began

Our adoption journey started on Oct. 8, 2006, when our 10 year old daughter's prayer intersected with the will of God.
We have 4 wonderful children Clay 13, Erin 11, Suzanne 8, and Brett 6. After Brett was born, we finalized the number of biological children we would have. Before the operation Jeff asked me if I would consider adoption. I said, "yes", mostly because I wanted to ensure I wouldn't ever have to be pregnant again, knowing he would agree with the operation if I would consider adoption.
The years went by and Jeff brought up the adoption discussion many times and each time I ended it with the words, "lets pray about it some more." Jeff and our oldest two children began to talk about it more and more. One day my daughter Erin asked me point blank, "Mommy are you ever going to want to adopt?" I sat down with her on my bed and told her, " Erin I think adopting is a wonderful thing, but Mommy feels like I don't have enough time for the four of you as it is. I'm so busy and I don't feel like I would be a very good Mommy if I took on anymore. And if God wanted me to adopt, he would make my life less complicated. " (This part never happened) I told her to pray that God would change Mommy's heart if he wanted me to adopt.(I thought we'd be good for another year on this subject)But little Erin got right on the task.
The next day I meant a woman, who is now my good friend, Sunnie Frank.(her real name is Kelly, but people call her Sunnie for obvious reasons I'm sure) The meeting was quite odd from her recollection and mine and in less than 3 minutes I found out that she had 4 biological children(like me) and 2 newly adopted little girls from Vietnam. As I was talking to her, I felt the strangest feeling come over me. I was watching her lips, but I felt like I was hearing a verbal conversation between my heart and my mind. And it was loud!
My heart pounded all the way home. I told Jeff and Erin when I got home that I was seriously ready to consider adoption. At that point Erin ran to her room and came back with the prayer she had written to God and put under her pillow the night before. She had tears in her eyes as she handed the paper to me. In her prayer she specifically asked God to change Mommy's heart and help her realize how much we could offer a child with no family. She told God that we could help one child be saved that might never know Jesus otherwise. Wow! That really hit us all!
That night, our family's daily prayers that God would lead us in the direction he wishes us to follow, Erin's specific prayer for adoption, and God's will for our family meant.
Since that day God has answered numerous prayers from Jeff and I to calm our doubts, fears, and anxieties in equally amazing ways.
God Loves You All and So Do We!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Oops could figure out how to get pictures in last one.

2 comments:

Jill Simcoe said...: I love Eli's expression in this picture! Can't wait to meet him in person. Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers as all of you make the necessary adjustments.

Love, Jill; February 14, 2008 9:03 AM
Karen said...: What adorable children, what precious gifts from God. They are His gifts to you to raise to love and serve Him. How exciting. Who knows what God has in store for these two precious children? I will pray for guidance for you two as you raise them and your other four for Him. The only thing that we have that God has given us that we can take to heaven with us is our children. I have always taken that very seriously and,now, He has blessed me with grandchildren that I feel the same way about. My prayers are with you. Hugs,Karen; February 14, 2008 12:03 PM