Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Story God is telling...edited

edit: my apoligies, this bad boy just keeps getting longer! I added a video of the song that is my theme for the week.

It is a good one. We have known from Day One, that this adoption journey was not about us.

Nearly eight years ago, when we were in Kathmandu, Nepal, visiting an orphange, seeing streets full of children without families or homes, we clearly felt God place on our hearts the desire to adopt a baby girl from an international country. We didn't know when or how, but it was clearly from the Lord.

This past summer we began to ask ourselves and the Lord, "is NOW the time?". We started to to poke at doors, to see if they would open. And, they did.

This might seem like a sidebar, but stick with me...Today at church, one of our pastors was teaching from the book of Ruth, chapter 2. About Ruth finding work to provide for hers and her mother in law, Naomi's needs. How Ruth and Naomi's story, is one of God's provision. Our pastor spoke about how there are no coincidences. How the book of Ruth is full of God, yet you never hear Him speak. However, His fingerprints are all over the story. Why does the Bible tell of Ruth's story? Because, God cares about these kind of stories. He cares about Ruth's life, and he cares about ours. He wants to work all of our stories together, to tell a greater story...His story.

In Ruth's story, she faced hard circumstances. She worked hard to find a way to meet the need she and her mother in law had (food). She "happened" to find work in Boaz's feild, who "happened" to be a relative...he was her "kinsman redeemer". He had the means to help her in her need. Long story short, I was sitting there, wondering, how does Ruth's story apply to me? Make the point, pastor...Then, he did. It's not just Ruth's story, it's God's story. HE wants to use our individual stories, to tell HIS story of love. He wants to use us, weave our stories into one anothers story. And, ultimately into HIS story of redemption. (which reminds me of a good book...called, "the story we find ourselves in, by Brian McLaren...good one!rabbit trail)

I was instantly overwhelmed by the similarity in me and Ruth.

God is weaving our story into our future daughters story. Right now, as we speak...adoption in and of itself is a picture of God's love for us...He chose us. He redeemed us to His family, his inheritance.

Just like Ruth, had great need, God used Boaz in Ruth's life to redeem her situation. Boaz redeemed her situation. I feel like in many ways, God has used and is using his body, his family, to redeem our daughters circumstances. We don't have it all figured out, but God has weaved many stories together to bring our baby girl home. He has moved hearts of those who have the means to give to us...to help us. Our part was to obey the call God put on us. Others may not have the call to adopt, but have the call to give...I sat there this morning feeling like our friends, family, and church family...God is using them to be our family's "kinsman redeemer". Ultimately, the Lord is our Kinsman Redeemer, and his body is a reflection of His heart. I am so blessed to be a recipient of that love...honored that many of your stories are now woven forever into mine. Whatever life circumtances have brought you to be able to give threads to our story, ultimately God is the weaver of this amazing tapestry of HIS story of love.

I sat there, and cried, for Oh, I don't know the 10th time the last 3 days. I felt the joy of being a part of the story God is telling. I can't wait to pass this story down to my daughter and how she came to be in our family. How she is a part of this story, and all the stories that came together to bring her to us.

Just these past few nights, I've sat down to figure out where we are, financially. What steps we can take to move forward with what we currently have. I felt total peace, that God is MORE than able. I keep hearing that song, "my God is mighty to save" (see below for the youtube video of the song)...I've had peace. Then, friday, I checked my mail. There was a sweet card from some dear friends and a gift of $500. Instantly, I was in tears, knowing God is BIG. He is SO going to keep the ball rolling. I remembered my verse, Psalm 5:3..."I lay my requests before you, and wait in expectation." I knew, I expected that he is about to do something GOOD.

Last night, I crunched some more numbers. I came up with some numbers, thinking we need about $500 to finish "Phase One" and get on the waiting list. Today after church, my parents gave us an envelope from an anonymous friend, with another gift of $2000! Story, after story, after story, being woven together into our daughters story, woven into God's story. God is blowing us away. "more than we could ask or imagine..." I had been silly enough to think this morning, "God can totally handle $500!" He is showing us that He can move mountains, he can do far more that we can imagine and certainly handle our needs.

We have known this would be God's story from the start. We wanted it to be. We knew that if we had it all figured out on our own, he would not get the glory. More than anything, we want HIS story to be known, not ours. Well...I think we can officially say, HE is one good storyteller! I can't wait to hear the ending...


ps...I have been meaning to blog about Christmas, but have been sidetracked.

We gave the boys each an "adopted baby sister" cabbage patch dolls for Christmas, and told them for the first time that we'd be having a baby sister from Africa. We explained what adoption is, that she will look different than us and have brown skin. So, with that, meet Lola Betty (the big sister) and Lotta Gwendolyn(the baby sister) (the sisters names were chosen by the Hayden who love the show on Disney, Charlie and Lola...and Lotta is Lola's best friend on the show, we didn't make it up!)

As of now, Jack loves his baby, Lotta, and carts her everywhere. The car, naps, etc. Hayden LIKES Lola, but not too sure about her brown skin. It's a good thing we have awhile to get them used to that idea! We figured it was time to start warming them up to the idea now, that their baby sister will look much different than they do...Hayden says "My skin is green, right mom?"

14 comments:

Trish said...

now I'm crying. again.

this is so amazing to watch!

love the babies!!

Tamara said...

Eryn - you did a beautiful job of writing your heart... your daughter will be so so blessed when she knows her story.

Shannon said...

eryn...I already commented on facebook...but I just wanted to share this blog that I thought might interest you http://joyportis.blogspot.com/ I just finished doing their blog. They have adopted from ethiopia

~*Spindelicious Handspun*~ said...

Speaking of Ruth, have you read "The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules"? It's so amazing. You should read, like, now.

Erin Sager said...

So sweet, and thanks for your kind words left on our blog, it tough to wait at this point, but I know the timing will be perfect, I just have to sit back and enjoy the ride...Thanks again and looking forward to following your journey.

Joy Portis said...

I just love how the blog world keeps connecting people and leading to more journeys to follow. Are you adopting through AWAA? I saw Billy and Cindy Foots blog on your roll. We were doing our China adoptions together at AWAA at the same time and became friends and I've enjoyed following their journey to Aria...now I get to follow yours as well! So exciting! Where are you in line???

Blessings

annaliese said...

awesome!!!! I love the stories of God's faithfulness in such tangible items as checks in the mail.
love the cabbage patch doll introduction for the boys--great idea.
that's funny about hayden not being too sure about the skin color...when we brought evie home, gabby was actually quite disappointed at how light her skin was, apparently the photos of asian babies in her books had given her the impression she would be darker! :)

Jennifer said...

I just love the things Hayden says, makes me laugh out loud.

the brauns said...

Wow...God is truly at work in your family and in your lives. It is so fun to connect with you and to hear your story. Thank you for being an example and sharing the ways God is working in your lives. It is an inspiration to me. We have a family down here in California who is in the process of adopting a boy from Haiti. You should check out their blog at www.thehowertons.blogspot.com. Love ya!

Jason & Kala said...

aren't you just amazed at the generosity God ignites into people's hearts? We've been 'overly' blessed with love gifts and I continue to lift my head to the God who is truly Mighty to Save and honored to be called to love one more child to see His unfailing love. And I can't wait to tell our son about the goodness of God and that He knew our guy was worth the wait!!! Blessings,
Kala

Mara said...

the dolls are adorable and the fact that they love them is even better!

jigdog said...

Eryn i am so proud of you and Matt and how you are following Gods leading in your life as he tuggs at your heart.watching you as a mom through this process has been great for your dad . As you continue to seek gods leading at every step and trusting him for the out come you bless me and challenge me in my walk.
i am haveing a hard time with the blog colors in reading it ,yes i can to read.

Lynne Paulus said...

Wow Eryn! It is so encouraging and a priviledge to hear how God is indeed has written this story for your family and all those connected, making these miracles part of their story as well! God weaves us all together in such incredible ways to tell His story! Man, thanks for sharing the many provisions God is sending, confirming this is indeed His will. May the Lord bless you as the journey continues and may He bless your little one as she is awaiting your arms.

Jess said...

Hi Eryn,

I love to hear the story of how God is working in your journey of adoption. We have been talking with some other friends who just adopted their little guy from Ethiopia and live in Vancouver as well. I think it would be awesome to start a Vancouver adoption group.

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