Joy Ride

I am on a JOY RIDE!  That's the best way I can express it.  This summer I have witnessed really incredible things happen.  I want to count all the ways that God has done immeasurably more that I could ask for or imagine and give Him all the glory!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Eph 3:20-21

Most of my stories center around the journey of adoption but not limited to it.  Not even 24 hours of returning from the mission field of El Salvador, I was greeted with a special homecoming of my family members - a wonderful celebration of being home and all of the people who surround me and make up my family.  They all brought a bag of dried goods to fill my pantry, knowing that I wouldn't have a paycheck until September, and the food is enough.  I recently moved into my condo and filled up my kitchen.  God knew my needs and provided through my family.  I am so grateful!

My parents took me into their home for two months while I waited for lease on my condo to expire.  For them it's no big deal, but if I didn't have parents like them - who, without a second thought, just provided for every need...what would I have done?

My brothers and their families welcomed me in their homes for a few weeks in southern Ohio/northern Kentucky so that I could get reconnected with them and enjoy a piece of summer.  They took care of me, they fed me and the time I spent hanging out and getting reacquainted with them is priceless.

My grandparents and every single aunt and uncle that I have has in some way touched my life with a very special and unique blessing. Whether it be hosting a reunion, a weekend road trip to get my car, sacrificial giving to help get adoption going, hosting a huge garage sale at their home and the endless hours of tagging items and working the event, truck load trips to drop off donations and supplies.....how will I ever be able to repay them? Or even appropriately thank them?

On June 2nd I returned from El Salvador.  On June 4th, I needed $2,000 to sign a contract with an adoption agency.  I waited for a week or two because I had no idea what to do next.  One morning I felt very motivated and hopeful.  I told my mom "pray for Friday" and her mouth hit the floor.  It was only two days away.  I told her "God can make anything happen...just pray for Friday".  That Wednesday morning I set out to make 200 phone calls asking my friends and family to sponsor a "puzzle piece" for $10 that would eventually add up to the amount I needed to send in.  It worked.  People gave.  And I had the money in two days.  My parents and I were blown away by generosity and God's faithfulness.  He answered my prayer. 

That was just the beginning.  Now I'm in the midst of 3 fundraising events in 1 week and I still can't seem to get a grip on the amazing blessings that God has rained upon this journey through His people that are my family and even through those who don't even know me.  I need to raise another $8,000 in order to send in my dossier (my tedious paperwork & home study) so that the government can process it all.  I was and still am overwhelmed by the challenge to raise this money.  How will it ever happen?  But with those questions comes the confirmation of God's faithfulness as I journey every day of this joy ride with him.  I repeat a quote that I just read today.  "God is no dead-beat dad!  Let him show off a bit."  He has provided for every need and will continue to do so because this is His will for this little boy for a child in need and He will make it happen.  I am so honored to be along for this JOY RIDE!

The efforts that everyone has taken to help and be a part of this great big task reminds me of the love of Christ.  I do not feel worthy of the love and support but am given it anyway.  We are not worthy of unconditional love and a ransom for our lives, but are given it anyway.  To those who have "spent themselves to help satisfy the needs" (Isaiah 58:10) - may you take this to heart...

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?  And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'  And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Thank you for everything you have done for me, for an abandoned child and for Jesus.  I will never be able to repay or appropriately thank everyone but Jesus can and He will.