Florida Friends + Adoption = EXCITING!

I stand in awe of an AMAZING God who planned far more then I could have ever dreamed or imagined. Isn't that always how it is? His ways are not our ways.

When we found out we had to move from our beloved Arizona all the way to the other side of the country we were devastated. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that now. I remember through tears my friend Tammy telling me that maybe God was moving us because someone in Florida needed to adopt from Ethiopia and God was going to use us to push them over that edge. I remember laughing at her and saying maybe. The pain in my heart was too deep to think much beyond my own sadness of leaving the life we'd built in Arizona. God had a plan and He knew I needed to be uncomfortable to be totally dependent on Him. He did just that.

The move was fairly uneventful once we got here. I was overwhelmed by the people God had put in Davids life in the short time he lived here without us. I was amazed that God hand picked a church for us to embrace, plug into and be encouraged by. A church plant. Gods plan, not mine. Remembering that God didn't bring us here without a bigger purpose then a job we got involved quickly. LifeBridge Church made that easy. Everyone loved on us, met our physical needs right down to having people arrive within minutes to unload our car after the long trek across the country and made us feel like family. We felt so incredibly blessed.

We had no idea what God had in store for these few short weeks we've been here. I knew David had met a couple interested in International Adoption but that was about it. Its fairly obvious when we walk in just about anywhere as a family that we've adopted. If your not sure Silas doesn't allow you to wonder for long. He'll quickly tell you he was born in Ethiopia and that he was adopted. He's secure in who he is. He's a perfect little missionary. We love that.

Within a week or so David and I shared our passion for adoption, Ethiopia and the children who live there. Our pastor and his wife encouraged us to move forward with an adoption ministry in our new church. We were ECSTATIC! Having a church rooted in encouraging adoption is music to our ears! That ministry is getting under way, it has been amazing to watch the body of Christ unite together to make an incredible commitment to supporting others within the body who want to adopt. What an AWESOME blessing!! God calls us ALL to care for orphans and widows in some way. He is at work. We're humbled to watch HIM work.

To God be the glory!!

If that wasn't enough God has moved in the hearts of TWO new friends here and they have recently been approved to adopt from Ethiopia!!!! That means TWO new friends for Silas and we are SO SO excited to see God work in and through these two families and the body of Christ as we all work together to bring these children home to their FOREVER families!

Meet Josh and Christy - I'm sure they'll be thrilled I posted this picture here. Its the only one I had on my laptop. :)

Josh was the first guy David really connected with when he moved here and they kind of hit it off. We joke that they are BFF's which meant Christy and I just had to like each other. Good thing we do! They were our first friends here in Florida. We love them dearly and are SO excited for them as they start the paper chase for baby girl Waulk! Christy has just started her blog here.

I'm sure Joe and Rachel will love that I found this picture on facebook and posted it on my blog as well.
Joe is our pastor. He is not only an incredible man of God but he is a go getter and walks the talk. When he shared with David that he and Rachel had always wanted to adopt we were so excited. Little did we know they would start the process so soon but they would be led to adopt from Ethiopia!! I love watching the Lord at work in the hearts of his people.

Joe and Rachel have precious precious kids. Our kids were struggling with the move and not having friends. Joe and Rachel's kids are right around the same ages as our kids!! With them adopting a little one 0-4 from Ethiopia....Silas will have a buddy now too! Check out their blog here as God works out every detail of their adoption. I encourage you to pray for these families, there is much yet to be done and follow along as their adoption stories unfold. God is SO SO good!

Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.