Six years ago God showed off in a big way. Oh a beautifully wonderful way! Austin and I had always wanted to adopt but figured we would wait till after a couple biological kids to give us some experience parenting. I totally had it all planned out. After 2 years of being married we would get pregnant have a couple kids two years apart and then look into adoption. Then came the reminder that I am not the author of my life. I do not write the pages. That "right" was surrendered at the cross. After 2 years, our desire for kids diminished and returned a couple years later (after seeing examples of godly women who were still involved in ministry with kids). So we tried to get pregnant to no avail. After 2 years of trying and experiencing the two week cycle of hope and let down God stepped in and saved the day. November is National Adoption month and our alarm happened to be set to the Christian station. For a week straight we woke up to stories of God rescuing and redeeming little lives through adoption. Tears of amazement and joy ran down our cheeks every morning for a week. Shortly after the morning tears, I spoke at a women's retreat and Austin the same weekend at a men's retreat. We both had incredible conversations with people close to and effected by adoption. Austin met a guy who had been adopted and I met a mom whose daughters placed babies for adoption. Our convictions began to solidify and desire began to grow. Then not long after the retreats, in our time with the Lord, God showed us multiple adoptions in Scripture and how He used them. One day I walked in on Austin spending time with the Lord and music blaring, singing his heart out, "Yes and Amen, whatever is in Your heart..." and crying. He was saying Yes to the Lord, no matter what the cost, no matter what He asked. That day we decided to just get information. That's it, to just take the next step of researching organizations and going to an information meeting. The next day we got an email. And mind you, we had not told ANYONE we were considering adoption. The email said there was a girl interested in possibly placing a baby with us if we were interested in adoption. Can you believe it!? Well, after a series of beautiful miracles we stood in the hospital room holding our precious little baby boy. I had a tight grip on what I wanted my family to look like. But praise God He loosened my grip. But here I stand again. Seeing the need, hearing God's heart cry. Knowing, having seen, God's grace be sufficient time and time again. Often times he doesn't provide the resources till we step out and depend on Him for them. He says, "Test me now in this" that when we give, will He not abundantly provide? Will He not open the store houses of heaven? We now have 4 kids 6 and under with another on the way. "The American dream" says 2.5 kids, not Jesus. Our families, the amount we kids we have is not to please people. Jesus should determine the number of kids we have and where they come from, not popular opinion. Oh that the Lord would break our heart for what breaks His. He defines Himself by His love for the orphan, a Father to the Fatherless. Could it be that adoption is one of the greatest ways to glorify God? Could it be that He's serious when He calls us to care for them? All that's needed... a willingness to take the next step.  Check out the rest of the Not About Me November Series 
About Laura Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has four kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks to college and women's groups. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site. Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs.
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