Our Journey East, Begins

Pure and undefiled religion before God and Father is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  - James 1:27 

Ross went to the NWA Men's Conference 2011, hosted by Cross Church, this weekend. The focus of this year's conference was very convicting. It was about God’s vision for your life.  Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez, The Secrets of the Vine, and many more, was one of the guest speakers. Most of Mr. Wilkinson’s lesson focused on trusting God to do a great wonder in our life. He explained that doing God’s will is the most important thing we could ever do. After he was done speaking;, he held an invitation where most of the men felt convicted to go on a mission trip to fulfill the Great Commission; which is God’s commandment to us to tell every tribe, tongue, and nation about His love for them (Matthew 28:18-20). Ross’ vision was a little different. He did not feel the call to go on a mission trip or witness to a foreign country. He felt called to adopt. More of a, “go forth and bring home” kind of conviction.  After the conference was over, the Lord led Ross to fill out a communication card with his name, address, and prayer request (like the men committing to go on a mission trip were doing). Then he felt that nudge from the Holy Spirit to hand Bruce Wilkinson the card himself. The request that he wrote down was that he needed to not have unbelief on getting the money needed to adopt a child from China. Mr. Wilkinson read over the card and looked at Ross and said, "It's not about the money, it is about the child. Pray for the child." Mr. Wilkinson prayed over Ross and then told him that he would have his child this time next year. Wow!

Interestingly enough Mary Grace had a basketball tournament this same day. Since Ross was going to be at the conference and miss the first game, I invited my Mom to come along with us. While watching the game, Mom leaned over and said, "Did I tell you what Daddy said about adoption? I said, "No." She responded, "He asked me if I had ever considered adoption before?" I jokingly replied, "Maybe you are just supposed to fund our adoption!" We both laughed and continued watching the game. Let me remind you that Ross had not made it to the second game quite yet so neither of knew the events that had occurred at the men's conference. God was working on all of our hearts this day.

Ross and I talked the rest of the day about adoption and the events from the men’s conference. There were smiles and tears, fear and excitement, but more of all, we were in awe and wonder. At some point during our discussion I remembered this prayer that I had written in my journal:

 January 21, 2011

Lord, I have been in Your Word this morning. I feel it pressed upon me to write this prayer today. Reveal Yourself to me. I truly believe You are creating something new in me. Show me my BHAG [Big Hairy Audacious Goal] for 2011. What are You wanting to accomplish in my life? How do You want me serving You? Adoption keeps coming to mind. Would You have us to adopt? Or is this something I need to let go of? Are we to have more children or is our family complete? I am waiting with excited anticipation about what is to come. I just want to be in Your will; walking on Your path for my life. Direct me, guide me, and reveal Yourself to me.

Let me back up a bit because this journey really began before,  January 21, 2011. It actually began, July 2007, which was the first time that the Lord really convicted us about adopting. I did research and requested several International adoption packets from many different adoption agencies. After much prayer, China was the country that kept burdening our hearts; but after researching China, we discovered that we were under the required age limit. In the years since, we have discussed adopting again, but we always said that we needed the money first. That was until today, when God impressed upon us that money is nothing to Him. Obedience is everything.  "Anyone, then, that knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" James 4:17. Out of obedience to the Lord, we will begin the process of adopting our daughter, Eden, from China. We trust that He will provide the money to bring our Eden home, and welcome you all on our new journey!

*Faith Step:  Today I ordered adoption information packets from several Adoption Agencies so we can review each packet pray about which one we will use for our adoption.