How the Together For Adoption Conference Changed Our Life

Today, Chris and I celebrate three years of marital bliss! Over the weekend, we celebrated by traveling to the Together For Adoption conference in Franklin, TN. It was an AMAZING trip- and one of the best weekends together Chris and I have ever had. The scenery was GORGEOUS, the 9 hour drive was actually somewhat enjoyable without a screaming baby in the backseat, we met great friends, and God pretty much rocked our world. Here are some reflections from the trip:

*We are all adopted brothers and sisters, because God has adopted us as His children. He promised not to leave us here on Earth as orphans, so He sent His only son to die so that we could be reconciled with Him. Praise God!

*We have to be more patient with those people in our lives who “don’t get it.” We cannot have pride in our hearts because we are so obsessed with caring for orphans and they aren’t there yet. We aren’t there yet in so many other areas! We should do our best to explain our hearts and let others see the joy and blessing that caring for orphans is. Though it makes me so frustrated when people say I am trying to change the world or be like Madonna/Angelina Jolie (by the way-NO!!!!), and even though it REALLY makes me frustrated when the very people criticizing me are doing NOTHING themselves to help the poor and hurting… I have to swallow my pride and get a grip. I have a LOT of learning to do, too, and I acknowledge that fully.

*We can’t put a limit on the amount of children that God wants in our family… I know this will freak a lot of you out, so catch your breath here… When we stack up our concerns for caring for 4, 8, 10 kids against the fact that there are over 143 million orphans in the world, our weak little worries hold no ground! No, Presley won’t get as many name brand items. And no, maybe we can’t afford college for all of them without any help. And no, maybe we won’t be able to go out to eat with friends sometimes.  And no, maybe we won’t get to take nice vacations every year…

BUT let’s see what we will get in return: Children who have never been loved, never had a family to call their own, have been abused, neglected, hungry, dirty, rejected and alone will have a home with two loving parents. Kids just like Presley and my sweet nephew Brendyn… kids just like your own… they will have what every child deserves. We will believe in them and love on them and help them live the dreams that God has placed in their hearts. I know a woman whose husband was hesitant about taking in more children, and God gave him a dream that he is now haunted by- it’s of a little boy begging and pleading and saying, “I promise, I will be good, I won’t take up too much room, and I will only eat a little bit.”

I will give up the luxuries of life for the rest of my life if it gives another child a home… Those vacations and clothes and name brands really seem so ridiculous and menial when we think about giving kids a future, a family and a home, don’t they?

*We are now very open to adopting older kids, as well as kids from foster care. Yes, we realize those bring on a lot more craziness and “problems.” No, we don’t think that it will be easy. But do we feel called? Absolutely. We are not concerned about “breaking birth order” because if we were, that would be bowing down to an idol rather than following God’s leading. That is something adults freak out about a lot more than the actual kids… And that’s also a very minor concern that when stacked up against saving a life, it doesn’t seem so important.

*We are not at all concerned about Presley ever resenting the fact that there are so many kids, or that so many are adopted. Here’s why: #1 It will teach her to care for the orphans and the hurting. #2 It will give her a greater world view and she will appreciate other cultures more. #3 She will learn unselfishness. #4 Every child we ever have will be made to feel unique, extra special, deserving and beautiful. And they ALL deserve it… Not just our first born.

I have a great friend who is the Presley of her family- first born female- and her parents are my parents’ age, still adopting kids and giving them a home. They believe that as long as there is an orphan crisis and they can help a child, they will do something about it. Abi is now one of the MOST AMAZING people ever because of the love her parents poured out on her, and on all their kids- biological and adopted. She now has a heart for orphans and is getting ready to begin her own adoption process. I’d say that’s a win!

Ultimately, this conference aligned my dreams with Chris’, and vice versa. We are totally in sync with the plans and visions that God has for our lives. THAT was the biggest win of the weekend. We have let go of the “what if’s” and fears that have been holding us back from fully experiencing the plans God has for our family. Our hearts are completely broken for the orphans of the world, even more than they were before. We are SO grateful that God has adopted us into His family and has allowed us to live in fellowship with Him, our Father. Now it’s time to give some kids a father on Earth, as well.

Dream big with us, won’t you? We are starting an orphan care ministry in our hearts and in our home. We are so eternally grateful for you love, support, and prayers. Truly… Thank you!