We made it!!! My, my, my, my what a Big world we live in. We are such a small part of this whole Big world God calls His. I have to say that I feel like a mom who just gave birth and has the up and downs of adjustment going on in the inside of me and the outside of our family. When we brought that new-born baby in our home, the first month was so hard and scary, yet there was the beauty of this new little life in our home--so fresh and small (today he turned 21!) Well it's kinda like that with adoption; we have to adjust to the new little lives in our home, and it's a process. They like to try everything out and see how it works, and everything is new to them. So it's fun to do this and try that, and it's amazing how they delight in everything! After the tenth time of grabbing at this and that, I find myself saying "no,no,no!" and the cuteness starts wearing off real fast. I find myself hiding the toys that are battery charged (with a few exceptions.) 
Believe me they do not need action exhilarating toys! They have this little language thing going on between them; it's so funny to hear them chattering back and forth to each other, and me not understand a word they're saying. However I can tell if they are upset or happy about something because they are pretty good about sharing their emotions as they speak. One moment they may be happy, the next they may not be, telling me "No,No!!" (Not so cute.) They absolutely love to play outside especially with the bikes, and run as fast as they can with no wired gates to stop them. Tonite they liked supper, and I've been praying for God to give me direction on how to feed them. I wonder what they think about us and how they feel about their new home in Iowa. I wonder how the adjustments will work out for all of us and how long it will take before it becomes more relaxed for me. 
Jeff (my husband) keeps telling me, "Cindy, you've got to leave it in God's hands and stop making it your responsibility; you can't possibly do this without God leading it." I agree, I can't do this! Man is this hard!!! It's hard to leave it alone, and trust God, why is that? I guess there's more flesh to be stripped off and I'm lacking -- boy, am I lacking !!! in trusting my Father-papa God. Each step in the unknown leads us to places that we have no idea how and what will take place. It's where we meet God in this unknown place where we have never been before and have no idea what's around the corner. Yep it's scary, and you have no control over the results. 
Jeff (my husband) keeps telling me, "Cindy, you've got to leave it in God's hands and stop making it your responsibility; you can't possibly do this without God leading it." I agree, I can't do this! Man is this hard!!! It's hard to leave it alone, and trust God, why is that? I guess there's more flesh to be stripped off and I'm lacking -- boy, am I lacking !!! in trusting my Father-papa God. Each step in the unknown leads us to places that we have no idea how and what will take place. It's where we meet God in this unknown place where we have never been before and have no idea what's around the corner. Yep it's scary, and you have no control over the results. 
Why do I trust in the arm of My flesh, or the wisdom of My mind, why is it so hard to just sit back and say, "God, what is it that you would have me do?"
I look at their little faces of need; they are needy, and I can't possibly fill all their needs. Only God can fill that empty place, I can be the hands and heart of Jesus, and ask Him to give me His presence so that the glory of the Lord will ab
ound. This is a time of great sifting and change. I am back in the classroom of learning, and this old dog has to learn some new tricks.
ound. This is a time of great sifting and change. I am back in the classroom of learning, and this old dog has to learn some new tricks.Ruff, Ruff! Cindy
Hello Cindy and Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very courageous thing to do. I dont really know you well. But I wonder if this courageousness isnt over the top. Four children from a different country with a different langauge adopting them at the same time is outrageous in my mind. Do you have ANY idea what you are getting yourself into? Have you thought about that your children could get divided, because they have different origins? Have you thought about how many adopted children will go through periods that they feel rejected and question who they are. It is hard to raise one child who is adopted shortly after birth. To raise four children who have had quiet some years behind them will have to deal with rejection issues all the more, which will be expressed in their relationships to their adoptive parents.
I think it is to much to start with four, one is hard enough. Now you can't turn back. And the Father definitely wants to help, give strength and heal their hearts. But do plan for the worst. Don't ignore problems because 'it will workout in the end'. You will definitely need Gods wisdom and love. And all the help from professionals in the area of adoption and parenting you can get. Because hard times are coming. And you will get through if you get both help from the Father and from professionals, so you could love all of your children in the clearest way.
Blessings, Peter
Peter,
ReplyDeleteThank-you for your honesty and your questions concerning adoption. I think you are right in thinkin "What in the world??" It is a crazy thing! but His love is the only way it's gonna work. The die to yourself kinda Love:) That kind... is always painful, at least for me it has been, because by nature I'm a pretty selfish American girl.
We adopted 3 girls who are sisters and have been in an orphange for almost 2 years, waiting for a family to adopt them. Most people want babies, not older children (esp. siblings)so the older kids get kinda stuck, like you echoed it can be more challenging. There are many children who need families and some of those are sibling groups, if not us, then who should adopt them? We are not going to do everything perfect; it was never really planned that we would do everthing right, because we are not perfect people. Should we leave them in their orphange and say, "It's not my problem?" The little boy's mom has AIDS, his dad is dead, who should care for him? In America we think like Americans,in Africa they have no "professional" help, there just isn't enough to go around. So guess what? God is enough! Something we have not had to learn here in America, but I believe as times get harder we will learn that as well.
I've read loads,researched,went to seminars,talked to families who adopted ect.,but it just like child birth you really don't know what it's gonna be like for you, personally, until you do it. Professionals are always helpful, but families that have Big hearts and open minds are even better:)
I, however, will not plan for the worst! I will not have my head in the sand and deny signs of need. But my God tells me:
"Cindy, I know the plans I have for you says the Lord,plans for good and not for evil,to give you a furture and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord never promised me a life of ease, but he has promised me strenght for today, and so I trust Him for today.
I really hope that more and more people will open their hearts to adoption or help others with the money for adoption. It's just horrific that we say we are Christ followers and yet we do not care for the broken, needy, and hurting--I'm included in this. It really grieves the heart of God that we have so much, and yet we are so unwilling?
So true. And no one asks the African mother left alone with 3 children of her own and two of her brother's orphans and one of her neighbor's if she has "thought this through". They are expected to take them in, even though they have nothing to provide them, regardless of what it might "do to their children." Look out, though - it might teach them compassion, love, and all sorts of other horrible things. :-) I heard a percentage, once, of African parents who have "adopted" children in their care - the number was staggering - especially considering many have ZERO resources for providing for their own children, much less for those they've compassionately taken in, because there IS no one else. The fact is: children need someone to care for them. There aren't enough adults left right now in many places who are able to do that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful, Cindy and Jeff and kids that you've trusted the Lord enough to follow Him in something that does seem crazy. You will, I am confident, come out on top - and you will all learn so much - how exciting - even if also terrifying. :-) The Lord will carry you through - all of you. We will continue to pray for you all and for those beautiful children whom God has entrusted to your loving family's care.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord lift His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace. (I haven't heard that in YEARS, but it just jumped to mind in praying for you!)
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12
Erin
Cindy, I just spent last evening with three women who have adopted, and we were talking about the amazing BLESSINGS that come through adoption and how it spreads like a fire into a heart, a family, a community...a profound action demonstrating the Lord's radical love that forever changes lives...for His glory. You were called to do this because of Christ's radical, unfailing mighty love for you, your husband and your children, all of them. His mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulness!!!! I will continue to pray for your family through this transition, but I have NO DOUBT that God has GOOD, ULTRA-FULFILLING plans for your family!!!! Hard? Yes. Would you have it any other way? No!! Bless you for living radically for Jesus. He will fill in the gaps for all of your precious children, whether those gaps are from painful pasts or inadequate parenting or whatever...because He is full of grace and lavishly pours it out upon us and heals our wounds and binds up the broken! Blessings, Carissa
ReplyDeleteWelcome home Cindy! I am so happy to see you with all your beautiful children. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.
ReplyDeleteTo Paul, I don't know you, but from your email we do share something, our Christian faith. God doesn't call us to be comfortable in this world, really it's not about us anyways. He commands us to care for the orphan and widow many times in the bible. For some that is through prayer, others financially and for the really blessed few, adoption. See we live in a fallen world full of sin. One of the results of that sin is what we now know is an ORPHAN CRISIS. Did you know that there are 147 Million orphans in our world???? Mind blowing isn't it. One of the answers to that is adoption. Adoption into loving homes. As you know God adopted us into His family, leaving us as orphans no more, one of the little ways we can experience what He has done for us is through earthly adoption. Is it hard? Yes, Is it going to completely change Cindy's family? Yes, Is it going to make them uncomfortable, Yes. But thankfully God says Deauteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
So while in the earthly realm we can't understand this, why someone with as many kids as Cindy would adopt 4 children, it did not take God by surprise, in fact He delights in what they have done. Please know that those called to adopt do not go into it lightly. I am sure Cindy has indeed counted the cost, it will cost her everything, but isn't that what it cost Jesus to save us?
Dear Cindy,
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow adoptive parent; we applaud and celebrate your love for children and your newest additions. After reading Peter's comments; we were thankful we could retreat to our Lord's grace and unconditional love because we found his comments to be negative and perhaps a bit jaded. With God all things are possible Peter and if you are reading this telling someone you don't know to "expect the worse" is really a projected curse of which you have no authority to release. Yes, we need to be prepared, but, we don't need to dwell on the what if's when we serve a God of the Possible. His love covers a multitude and these children have come into a home that has the covering of the Lord. Please be careful not to be so quick to assume you know what's ahead when your words could only hurt the good someone is trying to accomplish. Phillipians 4:8 says whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, that about such things. Cindy and Jeff we are thinking and praying positive thoughts for you and your family and we Praise God that we can take part in ministering to the orphans; we are all adopted into the Kingdom because of God's grace!!! Amen.