Thursday, December 12, 2013

there's perfection in the imperfection

why are we not adopting a "perfect" child?
because there's perfection in the imperfection, because the perfect love of Christ is shown when we do what He did: go out into the nations, becoming His hands and feet, setting the lonely in families (psalm 68:6), lifting up the last to become first (matthew 20:16), and doing unto the "least of these" (matthew 25:40).

He adopted us when we were imperfect, sick with greediness and rowdiness, crippled with eyes that sought out the frivolous things of this world, made lazy with legs that were content in one place, and marred with self-inflicted wounds from bad choices--that's how we were when He adopted us (romans 5:8)!
but! when we were lonely, He came to us. when we wee sick, He carried us. when we were unworthy and unwanted, He called us His own (zechariah 3:1-5).  why are we not doing to that to others?! His love is in us-how can we not!

it's not about "us". it's not about having a child to take cute pictures with, and wear matching outfits with. it's not about having a child's room to fill with "stuff" which will become broken and forgotten. it's about the story of His redemption. it's about getting to live out His promise, and be His hands and feet. it's about a bigger story. it's about His promise. it's about complete and total faith in Him, and desiring to see His Kingdom of Love grow and grow, and giving a name to the nameless, a home to the homeless, a heart to the lonely, and kisses to the forgotten. it's about embracing the leper, and carrying the lame (luke 10:25-37). it's about Jesus! it's about His word! it's not about us! it's not about you. it's about the abandoned, sick, and lonely being part of His fulfilled promises and words.

we're painting a picture in our actions and deeds of His wishes, His heart. He loves adoption! He loves seeing the "least of these" sought out.

i don't even know what to say besides it's not about anyone, but our daughter and Jesus. there's so much joy that flows from the heart when He guides your path to something (psalm 40:8), those things that make others question and ask "why", those things that others attack and don't understand, i can't explain it, i can only point to the Word, and say, "this is why!"

when you see these children, don't keep scrolling to look for a "perfect one", don't look at these precious, beautiful faces and think about all the vacations you'd miss if you brought one home, don't think about what you won't be able to do if you say "yes"...think of the joy in saying "yes!" believe there is far greater joy in acting on His words than any other dreams of your life can hold...that and "imperfect" children love the beach and disney world too! :)

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you can help us to bring "ruth" home by buying a beautiful item created by beautiful women in developing countries, and a portion will go to our adoption.
you help these beautiful women all over the world, and us too! it's a win/win!

ENTER "CARMEN PRECIADO" in the order notes for a portion to go toward our adoption. :)
http://joharicreations.com


we bought an ostrich for her :)  

Monday, December 2, 2013

i miss you (and a lot of people can't understand that)

sweet girl,

i miss you.

a lot of people cannot understand that. since we have not met, and i'm not even using your "real" name yet (we refer to you as "ruth"), i've found (through bewildered expressions) that many don't understand how my heart aches to have you home, to visit with you, to know that you are officially a "preciado".

it's almost christmas time, and there's a giant dog, most certainly bigger than you are, in what will be your room.  it kinda freaks one of our cats out (the one that's neurotic anyway...) since she thinks it's her room....
i was lying in bed with your daddy talking, and i told him i missed you.  maybe it's a woman/mommy thing, but his response was more of a "oh. i know". but, in my heart, i miss you. i feel as if when God placed you in my heart, He also went back in time, to have had you in my heart all along, and because of that, now, i miss you.

i feel as if i should be going upstairs and scooping you up in my arms, doing your therapies with you, holding your hand as you unsteadily make your way through a parking lot with me to pick up more hot cocoa and marshmallows for us to enjoy together on these cold nights.

but you are so far away, and i miss you.
geography separates us.
time separates us.
less importantly, funds separate us (but it all belongs to God, so, we're not sweating that!)

i was talking to the sweet girl that cuts my hair about you, and the longing in my heart grew, and i began to miss you more. tears slowly gathered in my eyes, and i thought "surely this lady thinks i'm silly", but she gently understood, and what a beautiful thing this process is. i want to tell her about the Lord's plan of redemption, how satan means so much of sickness, separation, orphanages, for evil, but that God, through His great love, redeems it all. i want her to see Jesus in this. your daddy and i have dreams that others see Jesus in you.

i miss you still, but, i don't really need other people to understand. He understands. our heavenly Father. your heavenly Father. the One who knit you in your birth mommy's womb, and placed you in my heart. the One who  placed a lifetime of love for in my heart. He will work this together to bring us to you, to lavish love like a waterfall on you.

each second that i miss you, i pray for you.

my heart cannot wait until we can come for you.

aforementioned huge dog (cat pictured is NOT the neurotic cat, it's our cat that thinks it's a dog)