Blessed, in spite of my pride

We got a check in the mail today from a couple who wants to be a part of our journey, and just read that someone else on our FB group page has a donation for us. We have not asked for donations or for help yet, but the finances have been one of our biggest concerns as God has led us on this journey. This is such a great reminder that God is in control of this. My pride is one of the things that would keep me from asking for help. A good friend repramanded me the other night and let me know that God calls some to be goers and some to be senders. God is calling us to be goers right now, and God is calling some people to be senders. If I don't let go of my pride and let others be a part of God's plan I am stealing a senders chance to serve God. Thank you God for doing what you are so good at, humbling me and showing me your plans.
Luther

Thankful Heart

I am thankful tonight for many things: a God who loves me & wants a relationship with me, a husband that I love & is my partner in life, healthy children that are growing into Godly young ladies, a wonderful mother who is a role model to me, a special dad that was always there for me, friends that care for me and my family. This Thanksgiving I am also thankful for how God has broken my heart for the orphans in Ethiopia and how he has lead me to want to add one to our family. I pray for that child & for those that are taking care of her. I may not know her name or age but she already has a special place in my heart.
Ronda


"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11, 12 NASB)

Taking Another Step in Faith

Well we took another step forward this week. We have ordered necklaces made by women in Uganda. We didn't want to do fundraising but God has really been convicting us about involving others. We like the idea of selling necklaces made by women who are trying to better their lives and the lives of their families. We are also finishing the application to the agency that will handle the international part of the adoption (All God's Children International). We have talked to many agencies and feel God is continuing to lead us back to AGCI. Please continue to pray for us as we move forward. God knows the child that will eventually become part of our family. We pray each morning for those that are caring for her. Thank you again for all of your prayers!!
Ronda

Fear in the Right Places

As we have begun this journey I am able to come up with every reason we shouldn't adopt: we're too old, we don't have the money, it was not in our plans, etc... we could be paralyzed by the fear of the unknown and the known. But we are choosing to fear only one thing - not listening God. We both feel that this is a journey that God has called us to and we know that he won't tell us all the steps at the beginning. But we do know that he knows how this ends, and when we will meet Emma Ramsey, and where we will meet Emma Ramsey, and when she will come home with us and become a permanent part of our family.
Luther

The journey begins

Well today we are offically starting the journey to adoption. I am not a blogger but God has led me to involve others during this time. I am a very private person but i know God wants to use us and make us a part of his story. I thought God and I had agreed on the future plans for our family. I mean we have two children, a nice house, jobs, and we seemed to be on the same sheet of music. Well was I wrong. God began really convicting me about adoption over fall break. I taked to Luther and little did I know God had been convicting him also. I was pretty aggrevated at first because i just turned 40 in September & I thought we were finished with children of our own. Well after the shock, I have found myself feeling excited at what God wants to do. In the Spring of this year I read "Radical" by David Platt. Wow... It really convicted me on a lot of levels but the biggest was not putting God in my own little box but to let my heart break for what breaks his. I know that this will be a journey of faith with a lot of stress, growth, and joy. I ask that you would consider praying for us while we are on this adventure!!