We were so excited to work at Judy's house last Saturday... The weather was picture-perfect... our friends and family enjoyed working together and we were amazed at how much was accomplished!
Enjoy breezing through some photos from the day...
on Monday, October 17th at 2:41 p.m. from our adoption agency saying they have a child referral from Holt Korea for us!!
It's a boy!!!
We are overwhelmed with joy
for this newest blessing in our family!
While we can't share photos or details with you now, we are so thankful to have your prayers as we complete our dossier and wait to bring this little guy home! (He's as cute as a button, by the way!)
Psalm 68:1 says "God sets the lonely in families..."
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
~ John 14:18 ~
Adoption is such a journey... we cannot describe to you the faith walk God has us on... we're continually reminded of His great faithfulness to us as He shows us again and again how His plans are perfect!
Our little blessing #5 was born the very same week we were doing the Daniel Fast with our church family, God stirring our hearts towards adoption so strongly that we knew this was His plan for our family... isn't He amazing?
We love knowing that God heard the cry of the orphan and has chosen us to be his forever family! Our God who cares for everyone individually... and even has His eye on the sparrow... cradles our little one's future in His hands.
We love the hymn "His Eye is On the Sparrow" and our family has been singing this newer take on that beloved favorite over the past few weeks...
His Eye is on the Sparrow
(Original)
Lyrics by Civilla D. Martin, 1905 Music by Charles Gabriel
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
why should the shadows come,
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Lately I've had a few questions voiced to my family members and friends (never to my face, unfortunately), wondering some pretty legitimate questions;
"Why do Luke and Susi want more children?"
"Why do they have to get one from way over there?
Aren't there children in the United States who need to be adopted?"
"Are their children ready for the changes that will come when they bring an international child into their family?"
Our response to these questions, had they been asked directly to us, would be " 'cause every life is precious!"
Are there children in the U. S. foster care system who need to be adopted? Absolutely! We happen to feel, however, that for this season in our family's life, South Korea is the place God has a child waiting for his or her forever home!
Are our children ready for a new sibling? We think so. There's no better time for them to bond with and grow up with a new brother or sister than in their preschool years (not that it can't happen later in life... just sayin'...) We see no problem in our children learning and appreciating from an early age that they're not the only fish in the sea! ;0)
We have always supported our local crisis pregnancy center... believing that the bravest choice is to choose life! It's been a privilege to host a table of good friends at the annual Life Banquet for the past several years. The speakers have always encouraged and challenged us... but this year's keynote was especially riveting.
Ryan Scott Bomberger was born to a mother who had been the victim of rape and was immediately placed into a loving forever family through adoption. His story of love and acceptance and of his own personal discovery of Christ's adoption of him into God's family are inspiring enough.
But Ryan's platform is not just centered on his own personal adoption story. God has given him a great vision for addressing the Nation's hot-button issues right now; such as abortion, the Black Lives Matter movement, Planned Parenthood, ect. He has a voice because of his background and ethnicity and he's using that voice to bring awareness to the lies and deception out there about such topics.
His ultimate message resonates with the ringing Truth that all lives matter; life is precious. Every single human being has worth and is deserving of love, respect, dignity and protection.
It was a real encouragement to us that yes, God's heart is in the heart of our mission; to bring an orphan into a loving family of excitedly waiting brothers and sisters, a mom and dad who desire to envelope them with love and support for the rest of their lives! It's a worthy cause; a worthy mission.
And as we know, the best things in life are often the most difficult to obtain. We're thankful for the many words of support and encouragement - and do welcome the curiosity, as an opportunity to share our hearts for precious children everywhere! Check out The Radience Foundation. I'm sure you'll be encouraged by Ryan's message as we are!
