God's Call to Obedience

Having received our referral recently, our whole family have been busy either planning what we need to do next, buying the right size clothes for our little boy or putting away those that our wonderful friends have given us, and of course constant chatter about what his voice will sound like, personality, how spoiled he is going to be, places where we think he will enjoy and things we want him to experience. These past nine months have been challenging. It has been like labor portion of a pregnancy. We were focusing on details, pushing toward the goal, and praying that God would be right by our sides. I am sure you have heard that once you see your baby you forget about all the pain that you experienced to get him/her. It is just like that. I have been so surprised at the similarities that God has shown me between birthing a child and going through our "paper pregnancy". He has answered and continues to answer my prayers that our hearts begin to bond with "D". It is difficult to explain and probably more difficult to understand how we can love our son even before we have met him. We don't have to totally understand, God knows and has all the details worked out! We are called to obediently follow Him through the Holy Spirit guidance. In order to do this I have had to put aside some things and thoughts and totally trust that God has our plan taken care of. I also NEED to stay close to Him. He has given me that desire and has been teaching me how to stop (which for those of you who know me I am a bit of fly by the seat of my pants girl), be discerning, seek His will and one of the most difficult things has been to trust my own discernment of what God is saying.
God has given Tim and I such a joy in our lives/ in our marriage/ in our family.
This joy and peace is our gift from God for being obedient to His call in our lives. I know that! Don't ask me why or how; I just do. It is freeing for me not to have to have all the answers, just accept this gift from my Father.

When we first started feeling God's call to adopt I asked each Tella and Casey to write a letter to me telling me why they felt God was calling us to adopt. This is what they said:
CASEY wrote:
I really feel that God is telling our family to adopt. I don't know why, but that's what my heart is telling me. I know dad and you are afraid but if God didn't think you could do it He wouldn't have told me to talk to you that night and he wouldn't have made it possible to where I could go to Ethiopia in June. I think we should adopt because we have a good house, food, money to take care of the him and love him. You saw how sad some of those little faces were when we looked at them. They just wanted to be loved and to know someone loves them. Yea, it is a huge life changing thing to do, but 20 years down the line when you look back you'll see how much joy and happiness they brought to our family. I have just always felt that our family is not done growing that we have so much love and stuff that God wasn't done with us yet.....And He is Not:)
If you decide not to, yes I am going to be very sad and probably upset. I will always think that we could have done more. And when I am older and married I am moving to Africa just to let you know....Love Casey!
Mark 12:43-44 I tell you the truth this poor widow has given more to the treasury than all the others. They all give their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in everything-all she had to live on!!

TELLA
Dear Mom and Dad, Here is a pro/con list I have come up with for my views of the adoption:
PROS
We would be giving a child a better life
We would finally have brothers
A major learning experience.
CONS
A few more years of parenting
Not sure of the backgrounds and attitudes.

I feel God has given us an opportunity to take a child or children out of poverty and sadness and give them love and a future. We have such a good life and so much to offer.
I think God is putting people and things into ours paths to show us this is what we are called to do. Examples: he allowed us to go to Africa and be touched (He planted a seed). He placed the thought and desire in Casey to bring it up. He gave Miss Cindy as a friend to you so she could be a support. He made us watch the movie, Bella and I had no clue what it was about. He wouldn't allow it to leave your thoughts. There has to be a purpose to all of those signs.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to give your hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Oh, that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory. Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so I won't cause pain. 1Chronicles 4:9-10
All I ask is for you to pray hard about it. If God has it in His plan he will show you. Don't worry just be still and allow God to show you. Don't worry about what our family will think; they aren't going to be judging at the end of the world. Your job will work out for the best. Not matter what you decide, God will use you. Take all your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. DON'T GET COMFORTABLE!
I Love You 1900, Tella

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5
Thank you Father for calling us on this journey. Thank you for the love and compassion you have shown our family. I ask that you continue to guide our lives; give us your wisdom, courage and strength to walk alongside you. Love Dawn

REFERRAL

I can't believe it has been 5 days since we received our referral for the most beautiful 3year 11 month old son.......it has been a crazy ride; filled with a host of emotions. Most of all I am so humbled that God would choose our family to raise this little child. Me to be his mother. What a tall task. One that can only be accomplished through God's guidance. The Lord is with us always we are sure of that! He knows that plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not to harm us! We can cast all of our anxiety's on Him because He cares for us! He is our refuge, our shield, our provider......I am so thankful for such a loving Father who is full of grace and He allows me to come to Him for guidance from little things to huge things and He is equally concerned for all. I pray that the rest of the adoption process goes smoothly and we can get little "D" home quickly, but I know that it will happen in God's time which is always perfect.
Please pray for us as we prepare our home and hearts for our new addition. Pray that will bond effectively. Please pray for little "D" that he is surrounded with love while he waits for us; that he is taught about his amazing Father; for his health, safety, that he gets the proper nutrition. Pray that Tim and I give Tella and Casey the love and attention to their needs and that we bond even closer to one another and our heavenly Father.
I am truly humbled by what Jesus is doing in my heart and my life. Thank you Lord for being such a wonderful friend, father, counselor and provider.
Dawn (momma to 3 beautiful children; T, C, D!:)

Referral!!!!!!!!!!!

We received our referral yesterday at 9 in the morning for the cutest litte boy Ive ever seen! He is 3 years old and for now we will call him D. I cant give many details yet but he is healthy and he has the biggest smile on his face in the pictures we got. I have a feeling he will be ornery but its ok, I'm ready for the challenge!!!

Thankyou God for answered prayers!
Tella