As
we have
been
praying
over
the
last
few
months
about
the
future
of
our
family,
God
has
led
us
to
the
decision
to
have
another
child...but
this
time
through
adoption!
Ever
since
our
beginning
of
our
marriage,
we
have
often
talked
about
adopting
at
least
one
of
our
children.
Now,
since
we
already
have
two
of
our
own
and
we're
not
sure
if
we
want
more
than
three
kids,
we
knew
we
needed
to
be
seeking
the
Lord's
will
more
than
ever
on
this
issue.
God
has
made
it
clear
in
our
hearts
that
He
has
called
us
to
pursue
adoption
with
our
next
child,
specifically
adoption
through
the
foster
care
system.
There
are
63,000
children
in
the
foster
care
system
in
California,
with
12,150
children
waiting
for
adoptive
families.
We
can't
think
of
a
better
way
for
our
family
to
practically
live
out
Christ's
redemption
and
love
than
to
rescue
one
of
these
little
ones
from
an
abusive
or
unsafe
family
situation,
or
a
childhood
consisting
of
moving
from
foster
home
to
foster
home.
God has
blessed
us
so
that
we
can
bless
others!
We have several friends and family who have chosen this route for at
least one of their children, and they have been huge examples to us.
It is comforting to know we will have their encouragement and support
during this time.
We have chosen a foster care agency and have begun the process to get certified as foster parents. Our goal is to have our certification completed (or at least most of it) by June. Since our summers can be unpredictable and crazy, we are going to wait until August to receive a baby. We are requesting an infant, as young as possible, boy or girl, any race.
Once a
baby
gets
placed
in
our
home,
the
roller
coaster
ride
begins!
It
can
take
a
year
or
longer
for
the
adoption
to
be
finalized,
and
during
that
time
the
possibility
exists
that
parental
rights
will
be
restored
to
one
or
both
of
the
birth
parents,
and
the
child
would
leave
our
home.
We
are
very
aware
of
the
emotional
risk
we
are
taking,
and
I
don't
think
there
is
any
way
to
be
prepared
in
advance
to
deal
with
these
emotions.
BUT
GOD
has
given
us
this
amazing,
encouraging
promise
in
Isaiah
58:7-12:
"Is
it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor
wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then
your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will
quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and
the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you
will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he
will say: Here am I.
...if
you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs
of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and
your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you
always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and
will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered
garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people
will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old
foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer
of Streets with Dwellings."
We
can
trust
that,
because
we
are
obeying
his
command
to
love
and
provide
for
the
needy,
He
will
be
our
guide
through
all
the
ups
and
downs.
We
should
be
far
more
afraid
of
not
obeying
his
call
than
of
what
might
happen
if
we
do
obey! We are excited to see how God is going to work in our lives through this process.
We
are
so blessed to have family and friends who support us in so many ways. We ask
that you will be praying for us, the child who will be placed in our home, and the child's birth parents over the coming months. Our heart's desire is that God be glorified!
Winter Camp! We had a record number of campers at Winter Camp this year..over 350! The theme was "The Amazing Race," based off of Hebrews 12:1. It was warm enough to add a mud pit to our list of activities, which ended up being a huge hit! Eastern Sky Theater put on a short theater production with a powerful, impacting, life-committing message. 
