Franklin Five

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Pink Journal

On my bedside table sits a notebook covered in pink fabric. I made it a few years ago at a Mops meeting, stuffed it on a shelf somewhere,and forgot out it. In March, I fumbled across it again and knew it would be perfect for what I needed. You see, God has been working in my heart, in Tim's heart-in the heart of our family, and I needed a place to record these words and thoughts that have been knocking on my heart's door ever since I started praying about a certain idea.



The idea of adoption.


Long before our sons were born, Tim and I had talked about the possiblity of adopting one day. After Wesley came, we started talking about what was next for our family. We both felt our growing brood was not complete. Our hearts longed for another child, but we sensed this child would be brought to us in a different manner than they way Wesley and Graham arrived in our arms.


Tim was the first to conclude that God was leading us to adopt. He told me his thoughts. I wasn't so sure; I needed more time. So this past January I got serious about praying about adoption. Let me tell you, God wasted no time. I couldn't get it out of my mind. Everywhere I went I would be reminded of adoption. I was thinking about it constantly.


In February, we heard about an adoption conference to be held the following week at a local church, and we scrambled to make arrangements to go. The conference laid out all of the risks and scary things about adoption. No sugar coating anything. At the end of the day, a panel was brought together to give us different perspectives on adoption. As I sat there listening to their amazing stories, I noticed Tim wiping tears from his eyes. A lump emerged in my throat, and I knew the answer to the questions I had been asking God. Adoption was to be part of our story.


Somewhere across the world in the country of Ethiopia, a little girl will be born or has been born, and through God's grace and providence she will make it into our arms someday soon. We ask you to pray with us for her, and for our journey to her. I know the road ahead is long and will not be easy. But I also know God will lead us and provide everything we need to bring our daughter home.

7 comments:

Jonathan's Mom said...

Jo, there are tears of joy in my eyes as I read this. We have been praying and will continue to pray more fervently. We are so excited and love you guys and the little girl you are praying for!

Sondra Adair said...

Jo, I love checking on your blog ever so often (especially since Courtney only updates hers twice a year....if we're lucky!) :) so when I read your words about considering adoption and Ethiopia, I knew you needed to "meet" David and Amy McDurham. Here's their blog address and you can read all about it yourself.
Love ya
Sondra Adair
p.s. Courtney spent a few days in Tyler in June and took Emi to the Caldwell zoo, too.
http://aroundtheworldand2kids.wordpress.com/

votemom said...

God never promises "easy", but He does promise "good."

thanking Him in advance for what He's had planned before the foundation of the world. (how cool is THAT??!!)

Kimba said...

Wow! God is so good!!! Praying with and for you and this precious baby that God has planned to join your family one day!

Christine Hoover said...

I'm really excited!!

Anne Rodgers said...

I am here to support you in any way. We love you and God knows who the sweet one will be and I pray for the preparation of the hearts of all in your family.

Love you!
anne

Keri Harrison said...

Praying for you and your family! God never ceases to amazes me at how HE pulls everything together.