Thursday, January 10, 2008

What inspires you?

I was recently asked why I am inspired to adopt yet again, and with the same enthusiasm as a first time parent. I guess I just love children, think they add so much to this world, and feel that each child deserves as much enthusiasm as let's say, a first child would get. Where some parents feel exhausted at the end of the day, my children literally energize me. My adopted children, complete with whatever issues they may have, energize me even more.

I seriously welcome whatever challenges they bring, because everything is a learning experience. If I could learn to become more compassionate, patient, forgiving, loving....... and a better teacher and servant to the Lord, and in the process be giving a deserving child a family and home, I don't know why I wouldn't be inspired to keep doing what I am doing.

I look at it this way. I....... I mean we, are raising the future generation of our country, and there are not many things that I can think of doing that trump that.

We are not rich, but we live more extravagant than most of the people on this earth do, and adoption is a wonderful way of sharing what we have with another precious living person. When I think of adoption costs, yeah sure I wish they were free, and I can't quite understand why adoptions cost so much, but what better thing to spend our money on? Others might say, a nicer car, bigger house, fancier vacations, and such, but I just don't think those are the treasures that God is talking about storing up in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

As of now, I am storing up 10 precious lives in heaven, well worth their weight in gold. Pretty soon it will be eleven. If all of us could spread the word, and touch people's hearts enough to put the desire in their heart to want to adopt too, then just think of how much gold would be stored up in heaven.

15 comments:

mama becca said...

What a sweet message! Thank you for stopping by our blog. I have three sisters adopted from Romania and helped a few folks adopt from Ukraine, so I've been in that part of the world! We wish we could've adopted from Romania but they won't allow it anymore. But God led us to Ethiopia this way, so I can't complain! Thank you for your prayers- knowing that someone has gone through this many times (like you!) is encouraging. You're right... it will happen... hopefully soon!
Take care-
becca

Troy and Rachel said...

Very nicely said!!

Debora Hoffmann said...

Amen! Whether given to us by birth or by adoption, children are a gift from God, and each little soul deserves to have a family to train, teach, and LOVE them. How I pray to join the ranks of those who have received such a gift from the Lord!

Anonymous said...

This is the title of my blog "Stroing up Treasures in Heaven". Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post.

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Kathy Cassel said...

Agreed : )

emily said...

We actually live in Texas. I mentioned The OCEAN group because they had a creative name, we have a growing group of families adopting from Ethiopia here in the DFW area:)

It is encouraging to read your story.

Brandi said...

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. How'd you find me?

I'm excited to read your blog now. .I think I may have to go back and start from the beginning!

Ok, and. . .now that I know there is a story, you have to share on your blog!

Brandi
www.homehopeandfuture.blogspot.com

Carey and Norman said...

It looks like you are moving along with your adoption paperwork. I'm sure you are more patient than I because you've been down this road many times before now. I guess any time God places a child in our heart, it is hard not to get excited about an upcoming referral!

Wonderfully, sweet post!

Jim H. said...

When our Air France jet lifted off from that dreadful Borispol Airport in Kyiv, I swore I'd never come back. But, six months later I am inspired by reading your words. One thing I'm learning is that we never know what God has in store for us!

Darla said...

I'm so glad you came and visited my blog. I've found yours before but in the busyness in life, I hadn't been blogging much lately and had even less been able to zip around reading others' blogs. I'm glad you triggered my memory about your blog because when I first read it I had wanted to keep up with your adoption progress and was just so impressed with your journey of having kids biologically and then adopting even more! I love your take on being blessed with having more children. We have six but hope we are blessed with more too!

Ahauna said...

I agree completely! I only wish I had a bigger house, more money and more time or I would have adopted a dozen. Children are life's greatest blessing and it matters not whether they come from our bellies or our hearts.

Ashley said...

WOW! I LOVE THIS POST!

Are You Serious! said...

Wonderful post! I loved reading about your beliefs and I totally agree with you!!! Thanks for checking out my blog I'll be back to read more of yours! I think you guys are amazing!