Last Thursday night we attended our orientation with the local Safe Children's Coalition. On our way I questioned Barry about his feelings and he announced he was excited, filled with wonder, and NO he did not want to go to work (I asked if he wanted to go there instead as we drove by). Then twenty minutes later as we sat in the room waiting for it to start I asked this question again and he said, "Now i'm nervous." I, on the other hand, was giddy with excitement.
For an hour we heard from a case worker about how the system works. How children get in and how they many times wind up wards of the state. The statistics were heart breaking! We may be the most advanced country in many things but we treat our children like throw-aways. After enduring the painful truth of the statistics I knew we are following the Lords heart. He has a heart for adoption as we all know. After all, He adopted us all into His plan.
After the hour of sadness we were handed a packet to complete and return so that we may be invited to take the parenting classes at the beginning of the year. So that's what we are doing now... filling out our life's story and compiling the paperwork needed.
In the past few weeks, we have seen the Lord confirm our path in several ways. He has given us scripture to cling to, stand on, and rest in, as well as, prophecy over what the future holds. Even though for brief moments we panic at the thought of the responsibility of a little life or lives dependant on us for guidance. We look forward to what the Lord will teach us through these little gifts He's bringing. Barry & I talked about how we feel we are going to be affected by this decision and we were in agreement that this is going to strengthen our marriage. Both of us feel as though the Lord is strengthening the foundation of our marriage life even greater because of what's in store up ahead.
On Friday night we went out to dinner where the conversation was so great I hardly remember what we ate. I think it was spaghetti with Italian sausage only because that's my norm at this location. The conversation was about wondering what it will sound like to one day be called "mom & dad" by a little person(s). What they might call us until they feel in their hearts we are worthy of being called "mom & dad." We laughed at how cool it would be to have about 10 kids- 9 red headed boys & just 1 red headed princess. We imagined what if the Lord makes our ministry to rescue sibling groups because the odds are against them in the system. Then we laughed that perhaps the Lord will open the doors to this home we are watching that's plenty big enough to have 10 kids, us, and two grandparents on the property. Oh and it would be the perfect location for the future fishing ministry too!
See long ago (@23 years) the Lord put a fishing rod in the hand of a little boy. Only the Abba Father could have known the plans He was setting into motion on that first day. All these years later (now age 28) my husbands home away from home is on the waters of Tampa Bay. He is an exceptional fisherman! He's asked all the time to take out people on his boat while being in some of the most random places. It's as if the Lord is showing Barry over and over that YES i'm wanting to take this very thing you find joy in and transform it to something I can receive glory from.
Last December we were out on the water together having one of the most fruitful fishing trips ever, laughing at each other, enjoying God's creations, and just being in love. As we made the several mile drive back to the dock all you can hear is the wind whistling in your ears. I closed my eyes as I sat there next to my husband and just thanked the Lord for times like these. Times where we can just be alone together, have fun, and be so much in love. My prayers was interrupted by this word ,glimpse & knowing- a special fishing ministry where we serve our community, us living right by the water, and people hearing us share our testimony about what the Lord did to get us to that point and how he's using my hubby's love/ talent to change lives for Jesus. At the moment I was seeing this and knowing what it was Barry leaned down out of the wind and whispered in my ear "Mistletoe, Mistletoe." Those words are our love names for each other. It's like code word for 'just me & you." He didn't know what was happening in my head and I couldn't see him leaning down because my eyes were closed. It was just like the Lord to have my hubby lean down at that exact moment in the ride home and show me His love. I pulled out my cell phone and typed in the words the Lord gave me so I wouldn't forget them. Today those words are tacked up onto a board right here next to my computer.
Folks, everyday is about the bigger picture. It's about exalting the cross & the Son of God. It's not about me. It's not about Barry. It's about Him and His infinite love for his children poured out on those wooden beams that we may know forgiveness of sin and truly live like what took place there was powerful!
If the Lord wants me to be a mother so that I may exalt Him, then i'll be a mom. If the Lord wants to creatively use a man's talent so that He may receive glory in it then my husband will fish & declare the name of Jesus. All we are aiming to do is get out of our self-centeredness and into a christ-centeredness so that we may be used by Him. In this journey we are finding much joy!
Here's some words/ truth given to us from the Lord via a friend this week:
Isaiah 54:1-3
"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD. "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."
#24- Stupid waving antler hats at Cracker Barrel on my fathers head!
