So, wanted to update you guys on the latest news on our adoption front. Can I just say that this whole process has been such a stretching time for us. God has definitely been showing us the areas of our heart where we are so depraved. And it has not been a pleasant unveiling. So, let me walk you guys through the last few days of our conversations with the Lord so that hopefully you guys can benefit from our transparency and be amazed as we are at God's provision.
Two nights ago, Matt and I were praying and the Lord laid two verses on our hearts. First, the kingdom of God is like a man who found a treasure hidden in a field who went and sold all he had to buy the field. And also, do not store up treasures here on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up treasures in heaven (my paraphrase on both of those). So, where did that lead us? We realized that we had been waiting for God to pour out blessings of money from heaven through others to provide for our adoption like he did with the manna in the wilderness. And that could still be how he provides for us. BUT, God began to show us that we were holding on to some treasures here on earth and not laying up treasures in heaven. I had always seen myself as not sentimental or attached to things. Hey, I was a missionary. I put all my belongings in four suitcases 9 years ago, and didn't collect a lot while I was serving. But, it's amazing how many treasures we've collected over the past 6 years of our marriage. So...where did that take us? What are our treasures? What did God want for us to give up for this adoption?
For me, I have two things that are priceless to me (and pricey in the eyes of the world :) - my really nice sewing machine, and a really nice camera. And God showed me that they were treasures. So, through a few tears, we posted them on Craig's list last night. For Matt, when his father died, he inherited all of his tools. They remind him of his father, they are his inheritance. But, God gave him Scriptures about the fact that God has given him an eternal inheritance, much more precious than this earthly one. So, he's going to sell a couple of the larger tools. And he's also selling two instruments, and a digital recording ministudio. We realized that these were things that stood between us and adopting our son or daughter. We realized that this was not the time for manna from heaven - though that time may come - this was the time for sacrifice on our parts to demonstrate to the Lord that we were truly in this. We would sacrifice anything for our biological children - no questions, no hesitation. And God was asking us - why would you not sacrifice for your adopted child? If we were having trouble paying for me to deliver at the hospital - Matt and I would stop at nothing to see our child safely brought into this world. God showed us that we needed to have just that much commitment to our next child. He did not spare anything for us - his adopted children - to the point of the blood sacrifice of his own "biological" child.
So, that's where we are - items posted and waiting. And do you want to know the amazing part? Tonight, after our obedience (which we are still going to follow through with), someone who used to question the timing of our adoption, gave us $700 towards the cost of our home study. So now, we only have $120 left. Isn't God amazing? Sacrifice + manna from heaven. We are in awe of our amazing God, and it is such a privilege to share this with all of you.
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