Adoption

I am sitting here home alone on Saturday evening at 7:28 PM waiting for Pizza Hut to deliver my scrumptious food, watching CSI, and thinking about adoption.

Adoption is on my heart. A lot.

It started 10 years ago when I first visited Ukraine. I was blessed to visit a couple orphanages with Jessica and Cindy Marty. There is a vision from one of the orphanages that is forever sketched in my mind. We were outside and there were approximately 15 toddlers (2-3 year olds) standing in a circular "gate". The gate was about 4 feet high. There was little room for them to play within this gate. There were no toys.

They were just standing there. Staring at me. Pleading with their eyes to "hold me!", "hug me!", "LOVE ME!". I took a picture of this view and walked away. I may have walked away physically but I have never walked away emotionally. I love those kids.

Why would I go to Ukraine three times? You must admit, most people do not have that opportunity, and if granted to them, many people would not take it. Why would I have a feeling, long before I knew it to be true, that I would struggle with infertility?

Maybe God had it all planned out. Maybe all of these events have taken place in my life to lead me to adopting from Ukraine.

Update.... the pizza just arrived. Mmmm MMM!

I was reading an article about the new movie called "Fireproof" that was created by the same group that created "Facing the Giants". In the interview with the Director, I read the following question and it just spoke to me!

Q: You have four adopted children, ages 11, 10, 9 and 8, and two biological children, ages 7 and 5. Has being an adoptive family given you any special insights into the way God adopts people into his family?

A: Adoption is wonderful — what a great picture of God's love for us. You can say to your adoptive children, "We chose to love you." That's how it is with the Lord. Jesus said, "You didn't choose me, but I chose you." It's worked out great. My wife is an adopted child herself, so it's a natural part of our family.

We chose you. We chose you from halfway around the world to be a part of our family. Forever. How I pray it will be so!

I have really fallen off the blog wagon! So sorry! I promise to get better.

In my precious Grandpa's words, "Life is good". Fall semester started up last week. I have Industry Analysis on Monday nights and Debt Markets, Interest Rates, and Hedging on Tuesday nights. The second class should just be called "Riveting". Amy Klitzke (formerly Stittsworth) is in my Monday class- I am so glad we are in a class together!

We are in our 4th out of 4 years of confirmation. We began mentoring these kids in 7th grade and now they are in 10th! They look so different and have grown (physically, not necessarily in maturity) so much! We have our last retreat this weekend at Camp Wapo in Wisconsin. It's been a big commitment for us and hard to juggle at times, especially with work and school, but we are so glad we did it!

I don't know if anyone is even reading this anymore. I promise to post more exciting stuff soon! Keep tuned.

In the meantime, I normally don't like forwards (I immediately go to snopes.com to check the validity) but I enjoyed the one I received today, the 7th year anniversary of 9/11/01.

Where were you that tragic day? I was in my college dorm room. I had just returned from the shower. I was standing there in my towel with my wet hair and turned on the TV, like I did every morning. I was captivated by what I saw. Minutes later I watched the second plane hit. Surreal. I had class that morning and afternoon. That evening I went to a prayer vigil at our school's chapel. I talked to my mom, dad, brother and Josh. Josh and I had only been dating for 9 (wonderful) days. No matter where you were, God was there too.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when

you heard the news On September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.'

I held his fingers steady as he dialed.

I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going

to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.' I was with

his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to

their children. I held her up as she tried to understand

his words and as she realized he wasn't coming

home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a

woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been

knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!'

I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home -

only believe in Me now.' I was at the base of the

building with the Priest ministering to the injured

and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to

his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes,

in every seat, with every prayer.

I was with the crew as they were overtaken.

I was in the very hearts of the believers there,

comforting and assuring them that their

faith has saved them. I was in Texas , Virginia ,

California , Michigan , Afghanistan .. I was standing

next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.

I knew every name - though not all know Me.

Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the

smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way...

take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to

ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day.

You may not know why, but I do.

However, if you were there in that explosive

moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey

for you. But someday your journey will end.

And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now

while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you

know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God