Friday, January 22, 2010

Faithful Fridays - "Peace"

I know it's been awhile since I've done a Faithful Fridays post, so I thought this was a good day to share this story with you.




In December, our family was one of the families asked to participate in the advent portion of our church service that took place every Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. On our Sunday (the one right before Christmas), we lit the candle of peace. Colt lit the candle; Joy read scripture; I read definitions of peace and said a few words; and Jason gave a testimony of peace in our familiy's lives concerning the adoption (with a little humor thrown in). Then he led in prayer.

I'd like to share with you all here the story he told that day (with a few more details added by me and told in my words).

I honestly would love to have a houseful of kids. However, a long time ago I came to the point in my life of not worrying about what I couldn't change and to just turn it over to God, and be thankful for what I have and trust His perfect will. Now Joy had been praying for a sister or brother for quite sometime and wasn't shy about mentioning it often. I knew that God would either give me complete peace that we were done (adding to our family) OR he would have to let Jason know we weren't....BUT.....what I wasn't going to do was to try to persuade Jason. It would definitely have to come straight from God to Jason! :)

Well.....from time to time, Jason and I have discussions (just in the course of a day) about our responsibilities as Christians such as being good examples, taking on certain tasks, standing up for something, etc.. From time to time, I would hear Jason tell a family (that was expecting a child)..."That's great, Christians really should have more children. Our society needs more children raised in Christian families". Believe me, I was taking note! Being one to take advantage of every opportunity, I would usually say, Yes, we should. He would always joke away about being "too old".

One particular evening, our whole family was hanging out in our bedroom just talking. Colt had just gotten in from work and was in there talking with us, and Joy was piled up in the bed with us. Colt's conversation geared in the direction of Amber's mom (Amber is his girlfriend), expecting her 9th child. Jason said, "it" again, "That's good...Christian families should have more children if possible." Well, this time I said, "Yes, they should, so why don't we add to our family?" He stammered around a bit with the "too old" stuff and said well the "younger folks should." I said, "Don't you think God can decide that instead of us?" Joy chimed in with the fact that we weren't too old (and she's pretty convincing). I believe Colt even said something about us having a point there and told us the age of Amber's parents and something about double standards! lol! We talked lightly about adopting and the ages we could adopt instead of beginning with an infant as well as the countries from which we would consider adopting IF we adopted. We joked and laughed, but the seed was planted. And we went to bed.

Over, the next couple of days, I guess you could say the seed was watered. I could tell Jason was thinking on things because he would randomly say something about how he would want to make sure he was healthy IF we adopted because he wanted to be around to see the kid grow up...(stuff like that). I just let him talk.....and listened. :)

Then the miracle happened! Jason came in from work a couple of days after that and told me to "check out the adoption thing". "If they say I'm not too old and I check out to be physically okay, we'll just proceed with the adoption process and see what God does." I didn't waste any time! In fact, little did he know that I had already been researching and asking questions, getting the requirements and financial aspects together....(getting my ducks in a row).

Then I delivered the findings to him. The cost associated with the adoption process alone was enough to scare us! My how that had changed over the years. But, that's just one of those mountains that God can move with faith. So, we agreed that we would just proceed, trust God for all avenues, and if doors opened, we would walk through. That if in fact, God wanted this for us, all would fall in place. My first thought was to just keep quiet about this until we found out if we were complete qualified, were approved, and could swing the finances (somehow), BUT I felt the Lord wanted me to be transparent and share. It would be a testimony to Him as to what He would do.

And boy did God move. There's no doubt in my mind that God gave us complete peace in trusting Him to guide us through and provide along the way. I know His timing is perfect because Luke was our son waiting on the other side of the world for us (just as was Colt). God knew the moment he was born the family to which he belonged...he just had to get us ready. I'm amazed at what God's done and what He's still doing, as he guides us on this journey to Luke.




My favorite definition of peace (taken from Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language)...my favorite dictionary:

PEACE - Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience.

I think alot of us can identify with needing that kind of peace in this world of uncertainities, no matter what your situation. And ONLY GOD can give that kind of peace.

Blessings,
Tammy

20 comments:

Sue said...

What a WONDERFUL testimony. As you know, three of my six grandchildren have been adopted and I can't imagine our lives without them. God definitely opens doors if we are willing to walk through them. I can't wait for Luke to be in your home so we can see him as you raise him in a Christian home.

At Home With Amy said...

God has definitely been moving in your lives Tammy no denying that. Thank you for sharing this with us. If God brought you to this he will bring you thru this. I admire your whole family for your determination and desire to bring this little boy home and make him part of your family.
Blessings to you all,
AMY

Carmen S. said...

That is a lovely tale of your journey to Luke, everything just kind of " fell into place", and now the lil' guy will be here before you know it:) I'm so excited for you all Tammy!!!

Dan said...

Tammy~ What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it with us. I know you are all very excited about Luke's arrival. I enjoy reading your blog! ~Dan~

Diana Ferguson said...

A couple in my church just returned from China with their new daughter! She is precious and will be such a blessing to them.

Good luck with Luke!

Sharon said...

Tammy
That was such a beautiful testimony of the faith that you and your family have. Trust that GOD will be with you in every step that you take.
Prayers that it will continue to be a smooth ordeal.
Thanks for sharing this touching story.

Lynn said...

Tammy, it is totally amazing to me, how just planting a tiny seed can be so wonderful!! God is soo good!! It just thrills me knowing that this little baby boy, named Luke, who is now living in China will soon be living and be raised in your loving, caring and Christian home. God answers our prayers, and he sure didn't waste anytime moving on yours after that seed was planted! I am so happy for you and for your family!

Have a wonderful weekend Tammy!
Love & Blessings,
~Lynn

Unknown said...

I LOVE how God works with each and everyone of us..What an awesome God we have. I will continue to pray for your families Journey...Lisa

horse loving lineman's wife said...

What an awesome testimony! You brightened my day with it. I am always in awe about what God does as far as opening doors. :o) Please keep us posted. I can only imagine how anxious you are to hold Luke in your arms...

Julie said...

Tammy--
I loved your post. It really hit home to me today, because I just found out that someone I know is pregnant and really doesn't want to be. Just happened because "They were fooling around." I felt sad. Sometimes, I don't think that life is fair. That is life, but boy, it is hard to swallow sometimes.

Then I read a story like yours, and am so grateful for people like you and your family. What a lucky little boy to get to come to your home. I hope the process is speedy and happens just the way it should. Blessings to you and yours. I love the PEACE thought, too. I am going to send it to a friend who needs it!!! Have a super weekend. Julie

Dan said...

Tammy~ Check out my blog! I am trying to get a hold of you! ~Dan~

Anonymous said...
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Simple Home said...

Thanks so much for sharing this part of the story. How inspiring. I sometimes worry about our being "older" parents too, I'd like both of us to live to raise our kids, but this was a reminder of the fact that God is in control, and I just need to continue in trust and the peace that comes with that.
Blessings,
Marcia

Debbie said...

Thank you so much for sharing this with us Tammy. Its amazing what God can do when we put him in control. Wendell and I always talked about adopting but with his MS and lack of finances we pretty well put it on the back burner. I think if we could we would of had a houseful.

Take Care,
Debbie

Dawn said...

Tammy, I was so blessed in so many ways by this last post of yours. I was moved by your faith and your patience in Gods plan for you. I have also been waiting to come across a new quote for my chalkboard where I look at as we daily pass through the dining rm. Your "peace" quote fit that bill perfectly. I went right in and chalked it on the board. I will now read it daily. Thanks again!

Farris Family said...

What a wonderful testimony! God is so good!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Oh, Tammy, I love this story. Thanks so much for sharing....
★Linda★

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Another heartwarming, profession of faith in the best way! Tammy, I know you are so thrilled to have a husband that thinks and feels the same as you do. Equally yoked is so important.
My marriage didn't start out that way at all. I had strayed from my Christian raising and married who "I" wanted to marry. It wasn't until years later, after I rekindled my faith, and after my hubby also became a Christian that I realized that God had planned this all along. I used to tell people that I had found the best man in the world for me. How silly of me! God found him FOR me, and put us together! I am forever grateful for that, among many other blessings in my life.
Still praying for all of you, and for the adoption progress to go fast so Luke can come home.
Have a great week!

Jamie said...

I really enjoyed reading your story! I have had my heart set (since I was 10 years old) on adopting a child someday and know that if that is the path we are to take, God will make a way. I am enjoying following you on your journey to little Luke! Thanks for sharing!
~Jamie

Our family said...

Thanks for sharing this with your readers. It is a little funny to me how it seems like it is always the husbands holding out. That just leads their wives to their knees. Then God does His miraculous work on the men's hearts - another heart changed, another orphan finds his or her way home, another family created by His hands. It is a beautiful story and one shared by many who have adopted including this mom - 3times in fact.
No word on LID- hoping to hear this week.