Our plans are not ours to make. We may try to make them but who’s to say they will be kept? God ordains our steps which often times interrupts our plans and sometimes our entire life yet it leaves us feeling happy because those situations hold life and purpose; such things we would of missed out on trying to carry out our own plans thus you get a Happily Interrupted Life.
Day: July 6, 2014
What Missions Means To Me
Usually when people bring up the topic of “Missions” , many will tend to think mission trips, visitations overseas, etc. That can definitely be the case but in that I think we can forget that the current place that we live, work, shop, eat can all be a mission field. Having a healthy marriage and being a representation of that is a ministry and mission. Loving those around you despite their differences can be a mission and the list can go on and on. The challenge is that we don’t leave “missions” per say to that other person but we also self reflect and see how we can make a difference in the community we live in.
( Picture Created from my Church , Victory Church, Lancaster PA)
Approved or not Approved ?
It was time.
We filled out the domestic infant application. Jason and I prayed over it before hitting the submit button and then it was time to wait.
It was probably a day later after all was reviewed and we got an email saying ” You are APPROVED!” Oh My Lord ! Jason and I were so excited !
Even though it is the beginning we know it is the start to something great. Needless to say every store we walk in to that is even a little baby related my husband is taking pictures and writing notes to prepare for fatherhood. It is so sweet to see 🙂
Finally Revealing to Others our Decision to Adopt
It is always interesting to hear other peoples reactions when you tell them you are going to adopt. To be completely honest, our friends, work and church family have been so supportive and have been so excited for us. When it has come to family members … we have experienced a few that haven’t had the most encouraging things to say. We have experienced the “so why are you doing that?” type of tone or outright suggestions on how to get pregnant naturallyinstead, or the ” (us)we are having a baby” , “( them) YAAY!!” ” (us) through adoption” ” (them) Oh (tone drops completely)….well that’s nice…I will be praying for you” type of conversations, etc.
While at the same time there are those family members and friends that are already planning the baby shower and the baby isn’t even here yet haha!
The reactions are not a downplay to anyone… its reality and something we know other friends that have adopted have gone through. Some people just don’t get it at first but they will come around. And if they don’t that’s on them because we are pursuing the path God has paved for us.
The journey of adoption always brings me to thoughts of the Bible and how Jesus was asked multiple times why he was talking to a particular person or inviting someone in that others cast away; believers have been adopted into the kingdom also when they give their life to God, etc. For Jason and I, this journey to adoption is more than just ” a thing to do” it is a calling. It is Gods plan and destiny for our lives and the way we are called to parent. If God would have lead us to the area of medicine to create another avenue for pregnancy then that is the way we would of gone but it wasn’t and we were okay with it. Even the many times we have been told, ” so many people adopt and then get pregnant, that will probably happen to you too”, its like if that’s Gods will then so be it but if not we are fine just with this path. When we give that answer back, it can still seem like a struggle for others to take in. When you step out on faith ( which within our personal testimony just within our marriage we have done multiple times) and you just do what God is calling you to do there is such a peace that comes from it that others may not understand and at the end of the day you have to surrender those people to God and KEEP moving in the direction God has destined you to go because if you divert from your path just because of the naysayers, you may just miss out on your greatest blessing. Over and over again we have seen Gods faithfulness when we have stepped out on faith and because he is the same God today as he was yesterday we know things will be okay 🙂
( check out James 1:27)
Domestic Infant, International or Foster Care Adoption??
We have a heart for all children so if we could adopt a child from each sector, TRUST, we would! We felt the most lead to do domestic infant adoption and we know that foster care adoption will be the next step that we will take a time after this first adoption ( see in our minds and hearts we ultimately want 5 children to adopt…only God could give us a love so big but it is there for sure but of course we have to take one step at a time). We are going through Bethany Christian Services for our adoption ( http://www.bethany.org/ ) and they are FABULOUS to work with! They are so on top of things and they make sure that any couple that gets involved in adoption is well informed. We love them!
Ashley Wilson 