Wednesday, March 1 15:00 CST. I just finished T25 with Shawn T. I had enough time to shower and get to church on time (assuming my hair wouldn't be thrown back into another pony tail). Tim skips in: "We have profiles." Accompanying the announcement was the urging look that spoke, "you need to come out to my office now and we are going to look. Oh, yeah, now." And "now" was when I wanted to come. My shower was swift, my hands excitedly shaky as I attempted any chance of making up my face, and I ran out minutes later with a wet head.
Tim's screen was full of pdf's ready to view. PDF's at this point meant "Pretty Dumb Founding" and oh, so exciting. These weren't just pdf's. These files represented life waiting to be nurtured and birthed. One to two of these files contained a life we cannot wait to nurture, grow in utero and introduce to the world as the newest Ellis. How incredible is that?
On Wednesday, I thought I was leaning one direction, and was surprised-- excitedly so-- at God's answer yesterday. As we reached out for prayer during our review, a wonderful sister friend texted "Praying for God to place His hands on your baby and for you to hear Him." He did and we did. God's hands are on our baby (babies?) and we know in His hands are strength, protection, peace, love and comfort for our child/ren.
In His hands are strength, protection, peace, love and comfort for us.
His hands are strength, protection, peace, love and comfort for you. No matter what season you find yourself in today. By surrender, place yourself in His hands and let Him mold you and hold you.
God's love and the peace of Jesus accompanied by the fire of the Holy Spirit to you all.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139: 5-6
Friday, March 3, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Brain Dump
If you have heard the comparisons of how a woman's mind works versus a man's mind-- the woman's mind is more like spaghetti and a man's more like a waffle, with its nice, neat compartments (which I like to fill with butter)-- you will understand where I am going.
My mind is probably usually like angel hair pasta and it never quits thinking of several things at once. In fact, even as I typed that sentence, my mind thought of vocal rehearsal this morning (both not hitting a note flat again and the breakout in song of Richard Marx's "Hold on to the Night"), how I can be a better listener, especially as it relates to racial reconciliation, and how adoption has taught me so much about my own spiritual adoption. I digress. This is my never-keep-still mind.
Then there are the moments where all the spaghetti boils out of the brain and I am left with scribbled notes on papers, with lots of arrows and chicken scratching overlapping it all. Hopefully this is a cleaned-up version of such a brain dump I had a few weeks ago.
Embryo adoption is different than traditional adoption. As a Christian, the cry would be to Christian families to be more open to the possibility of raising up these children whose, like the rest of us, only hope is Christ. There are souls of countless children at stake and we are called to care for the widow and the orphan. We know that these children were conceived, born under and raised under Adam's fall, until and unless they have a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But embryo adoption is different. These are souls that are not yet liable for their inherited curse. Right now, one might consider these embryos, in very rudimentary and dangerously crude terminology, as "spiritually safe". I acknowledge there are many who would vehemently disagree with this notion, just as I disagree with aspects of that profound, yet befuddled, assertion. In the simplest scenario, those indefinitely cryopreserved lives would go to heaven upon Jesus return.
I would argue that these lives are of the most endangered, but for the sake of this brain dump and thread of argumentation, please stay with me on the goose chase. Within this line of thinking, I drifted to the thoughts many of us had even before we had children: Why would I risk her life by bringing her into a corrupt world, no longer a guarantee of heaven? This question is a result of the greatest fear I have as a parent: my children have the choice to reject God, and they may make that choice.
First, especially in regards to embryos, I would strongly warn that if we play this line of thinking to logical conclusion, we would agree that abortion is permissible and perhaps even merciful. God forbid it! That is not the path and line of thinking I am on. Let's jump onto the bigger projection God had prepared for me in this instance.
As I was pondering, praying and looking into the Word, the obvious question came to me: Why did God take the risk with us? And not only risk, but knowledge of our rejection of Him before He even said, "Let there be light." I got as far as three reasons: 1. His glory, 2. His love, 3. His grace.
His Glory.
For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? Isaiah 48: 9-11
For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? Isaiah 48: 9-11
I love how the Scriptures reveal God's glory, but especially in powerful passages in Isaiah, God's questioning of Job and the Psalms. The New Testament and ongoing ministry of the Spirit is for God's glory in the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament also gives commentary to help us understand the Old, such as Romans 9:17. Even the hard-hearted Pharoah's purpose and story was to bring God glory, even though that wasn't Pharoah's purpose: For Scripture says to Pharoah: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth" (Romans 9:17).
We were created to proclaim God's glory. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). This is a call to us and our future child/ren. They need a chance to let their light shine.Remember Jesus's explanation for the man born blind? What was his sin? What was the sin of his parents? Jesus answered, "...this happened so that the works fo God might be displayed in him" (John 9:7). Every life is created to proclaim God's glory, including our child/ren that are waiting to be born.
His Love.
We need God's love. We need it. God didn't need love. He can be no more or no less love than exists within the perfect triune of Himself. Because He is triune, He is both giver and object of love (see John 17:24).
Yet, God gave love. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son even before the world He loved existed. God loves life! He created it even though He didn't need it. I can't not provide life and love to that which God already made (read that again, noting the intentional, non-grammatical, double negative). I am compelled to give fuller life by the conviction of the Spirit and by the example of Jesus.
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (II Corinthians 5:14).
His Grace.
A few years ago, we had a greatly inquisitive Confirmation class that I was co-teaching. And I knew-- I just KNEW-- that the question would come. If God knew that we were going to rebel and reject Him, why did He create us in the first place? Honestly, I was not ready with the answer, so I decided I better be ready when the question came. I admit, I had to Google the question to rely upon someone else's wisdom, and when I heard it from the lips of Brother Paul Washer, I nearly slapped my head in response to the obvious answer.
Grace.
God cannot show or manifest His grace without a sinner, without someone in need of it. Grace is integral to the character of God-- could you imagine defining God without it? If you can, please talk to me or another Christian-- we have some great news for you!
God defines Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:
And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
That is amazing grace.
Now, I would be remiss if I did not include the rest of verse 7 of the passage:
Yet, he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
To be a God of mercy, grace and love, He must also be Just.
God manifested His glory, love and grace through His Savior Son, Jesus Christ.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).
We continue to step forward, knowing that God's call is for His glory, because of His love, relying fully on His mercy and grace.
We were created to proclaim God's glory. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). This is a call to us and our future child/ren. They need a chance to let their light shine.Remember Jesus's explanation for the man born blind? What was his sin? What was the sin of his parents? Jesus answered, "...this happened so that the works fo God might be displayed in him" (John 9:7). Every life is created to proclaim God's glory, including our child/ren that are waiting to be born.
His Love.
We need God's love. We need it. God didn't need love. He can be no more or no less love than exists within the perfect triune of Himself. Because He is triune, He is both giver and object of love (see John 17:24).
Yet, God gave love. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son even before the world He loved existed. God loves life! He created it even though He didn't need it. I can't not provide life and love to that which God already made (read that again, noting the intentional, non-grammatical, double negative). I am compelled to give fuller life by the conviction of the Spirit and by the example of Jesus.
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (II Corinthians 5:14).
His Grace.
A few years ago, we had a greatly inquisitive Confirmation class that I was co-teaching. And I knew-- I just KNEW-- that the question would come. If God knew that we were going to rebel and reject Him, why did He create us in the first place? Honestly, I was not ready with the answer, so I decided I better be ready when the question came. I admit, I had to Google the question to rely upon someone else's wisdom, and when I heard it from the lips of Brother Paul Washer, I nearly slapped my head in response to the obvious answer.
Grace.
God cannot show or manifest His grace without a sinner, without someone in need of it. Grace is integral to the character of God-- could you imagine defining God without it? If you can, please talk to me or another Christian-- we have some great news for you!
God defines Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:
And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
That is amazing grace.
Now, I would be remiss if I did not include the rest of verse 7 of the passage:
Yet, he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
To be a God of mercy, grace and love, He must also be Just.
God manifested His glory, love and grace through His Savior Son, Jesus Christ.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).
We continue to step forward, knowing that God's call is for His glory, because of His love, relying fully on His mercy and grace.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Trust Jesus
We just came back from an appoint-ation. My appointment in Knoxville was on Wednesday, but we took a little extra time to come home so we could visit Savannah, Georgia. Great time with Tim and Matea-- highlights were Tybee Beach and Fort Pulaski.
In adoption news: we get to move ahead after I received medical clearance on Tuesday. Going into the appointment, we had been told over the phone that our initial appointment to the real deal appointment is about 6 months.
Therefore, in our consultation when they said May...uh, May? Like the May that is 3 months from now? Whew, I think I started sweating on the inside. I think mostly with excitement but only the Lord knows the mix of feelings at that point. Trust me, it IS very exciting but realize that I am about to be pregnant at 42 without the involvement of my husband and that, my friends, can be a daunting thought at times. Oh, and our baby/babies are in a frozen state in a nearby room. Some moments, life can feel a bit surreal.
We walked to lunch from the clinic. Lunch was a blandish fish taco which reflected my muted emotions. Very rarely does nothing go on in my head, but this lunch was one of those times. My emotions were suspended between a state of exhaustion and the Twilight Zone. I realized too late that the couple we had met for lunch-- lovely, gracious people-- having known why we were in Knoxville, probably needed to know that we had just been at a consultation and NOT the real deal. Poor them, it had to feel odd to wonder if the woman that they just met and with whom they were sharing a meal, just got herself impregnated next door. I sensed a bit of relief when I told them what had happened and not.
We three got in our mini-van rental (Matea got to choose the rental) and started on the road back toward Atlanta. At that point, the suspended state dropped into a beginning panic state. What if we heard God wrong? What if this isn't His will at all? I mean I'm good following His will, but did I hear correctly? God? You wanna weigh in on this one? Yes, child, this is your calling. God, is that you, for sure? or just the untrustworthy voice in my head, my heart on overdrive? As the questions were looming and building again and I started feeling the chest tighten, we passed under an overpass. There was one large phrase graffiti-ed: "Trust Jesus."
Those two words are all I needed to see. Trust Jesus. It's that simple and that complex. It's the dichotomy of holding joy and pain in the same hand and calling it faith. Faith exercised by one who is so often faithless to the only One who is forever faithful.
Those two words are enough for Jesus to take my mustard seed and move a mountain.
Trust Jesus. That is what I am doing. That is what I will continue to do. And when doubt sneaks into my thoughts, I can reflect on that message.
I am reminded of my favorite hymn as a child. Verse 2 and 5 speak to me most:
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
In adoption news: we get to move ahead after I received medical clearance on Tuesday. Going into the appointment, we had been told over the phone that our initial appointment to the real deal appointment is about 6 months.
Therefore, in our consultation when they said May...uh, May? Like the May that is 3 months from now? Whew, I think I started sweating on the inside. I think mostly with excitement but only the Lord knows the mix of feelings at that point. Trust me, it IS very exciting but realize that I am about to be pregnant at 42 without the involvement of my husband and that, my friends, can be a daunting thought at times. Oh, and our baby/babies are in a frozen state in a nearby room. Some moments, life can feel a bit surreal.
We walked to lunch from the clinic. Lunch was a blandish fish taco which reflected my muted emotions. Very rarely does nothing go on in my head, but this lunch was one of those times. My emotions were suspended between a state of exhaustion and the Twilight Zone. I realized too late that the couple we had met for lunch-- lovely, gracious people-- having known why we were in Knoxville, probably needed to know that we had just been at a consultation and NOT the real deal. Poor them, it had to feel odd to wonder if the woman that they just met and with whom they were sharing a meal, just got herself impregnated next door. I sensed a bit of relief when I told them what had happened and not.
We three got in our mini-van rental (Matea got to choose the rental) and started on the road back toward Atlanta. At that point, the suspended state dropped into a beginning panic state. What if we heard God wrong? What if this isn't His will at all? I mean I'm good following His will, but did I hear correctly? God? You wanna weigh in on this one? Yes, child, this is your calling. God, is that you, for sure? or just the untrustworthy voice in my head, my heart on overdrive? As the questions were looming and building again and I started feeling the chest tighten, we passed under an overpass. There was one large phrase graffiti-ed: "Trust Jesus."
Those two words are all I needed to see. Trust Jesus. It's that simple and that complex. It's the dichotomy of holding joy and pain in the same hand and calling it faith. Faith exercised by one who is so often faithless to the only One who is forever faithful.
Those two words are enough for Jesus to take my mustard seed and move a mountain.
Trust Jesus. That is what I am doing. That is what I will continue to do. And when doubt sneaks into my thoughts, I can reflect on that message.
I am reminded of my favorite hymn as a child. Verse 2 and 5 speak to me most:
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Monday, January 16, 2017
By Faith...
I love how honest the Bible is about its heroes.
The great faith hall of fame is littered with people living imperfectly, yet they lived "by faith". Hebrews 11-- wherein the Hall of Fame lies-- begins with the definition of faith: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
There is nothing in that definition that places faith in ourselves, or even in our own obedience to God's call. They are not included on the list because of how perfect they were in showing their faith to Him--but they had faith in Him, recognizing that all they had, were, and accomplished was because God was faithful to them. And God was faithful through them.
God has called us all to live a life of faith and obedience. I have a stumbling, imperfect obedience, but the moment I say "yes" to God, I am saying yes to a Person more than just the calling. My yes is to God, knowing that following His lead in obedience is a work, but it is His work. I stumble, but He never stumbles or falls, so that means He is always ready to catch me and put be back upright.
Of course, in the context of God's call to embryo adoption, I love that Sarah is included in the Hebrews 11 narrative: "And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise." I am not past child-bearing age, but at 42/43, I am feeling closer than some of my younger sisters. God has reminded me of His faithfulness to Sarah. But what I LOVE about this passage is remembering Sarah's response when she heard the news. She laughed. And when God wasn't moving, she took matters into her own hands. Giving Hagar to Abraham to produce a son has produced a literal world history of regret. Do you see God's grace here? His grace in forgiving and forgetting commends her to the Biblical Faith Hall of Fame. Amazing grace indeed!
And of course this gives me hope, the hope in Hebrews 11:2, confident in faith of that which we do not see. Saying yes to God is so exciting and such an adventure. One I am sure that will be filled with my stumbling and faltered obedience, but God is there to keep picking me back up. The faith I have is that which God gives freely to me.
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37: 23-24
The great faith hall of fame is littered with people living imperfectly, yet they lived "by faith". Hebrews 11-- wherein the Hall of Fame lies-- begins with the definition of faith: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
There is nothing in that definition that places faith in ourselves, or even in our own obedience to God's call. They are not included on the list because of how perfect they were in showing their faith to Him--but they had faith in Him, recognizing that all they had, were, and accomplished was because God was faithful to them. And God was faithful through them.
God has called us all to live a life of faith and obedience. I have a stumbling, imperfect obedience, but the moment I say "yes" to God, I am saying yes to a Person more than just the calling. My yes is to God, knowing that following His lead in obedience is a work, but it is His work. I stumble, but He never stumbles or falls, so that means He is always ready to catch me and put be back upright.
Of course, in the context of God's call to embryo adoption, I love that Sarah is included in the Hebrews 11 narrative: "And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise." I am not past child-bearing age, but at 42/43, I am feeling closer than some of my younger sisters. God has reminded me of His faithfulness to Sarah. But what I LOVE about this passage is remembering Sarah's response when she heard the news. She laughed. And when God wasn't moving, she took matters into her own hands. Giving Hagar to Abraham to produce a son has produced a literal world history of regret. Do you see God's grace here? His grace in forgiving and forgetting commends her to the Biblical Faith Hall of Fame. Amazing grace indeed!
And of course this gives me hope, the hope in Hebrews 11:2, confident in faith of that which we do not see. Saying yes to God is so exciting and such an adventure. One I am sure that will be filled with my stumbling and faltered obedience, but God is there to keep picking me back up. The faith I have is that which God gives freely to me.
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37: 23-24
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Surfer Girl
A disclaimer. Waves are presented in the Bible are tumultuous, but God has control over them, giving them boundaries and He stills them. I am not using a Biblical analogy in my post and I tread carefully on this post-- and I am asking you to do the same.
A month ago, we took a family vacation to the Yucatan, Mexico. Most of the kids time was spent in the water; most of this was spent trying to body surf. As I was out there with my kids, I realized that my attempts at body surfing was somewhat reflective of God's work in my life at that point.
I know very little about surfing, but I have begun to look intentionally for the right wave. There are many good waves to try to ride, but if you just take a good wave, you are missing "the" wave in the meantime. The right wave takes patience and intentionality to see. There are so many good things that we can be doing, but I wondered how many times I have missed out on the very thing that God has called me to while I have been distracted by those things I deem good and I decide on my own to do.
When I saw the wave I had been waiting for coming, one of two things occurred. As happened a few times, I froze, questioning the wave, only to watch it go by me and exclaim, "Shoot! That was the one!" And the wave was gone and I missed it. I, too, have been a bystander to the things of God and have watched the movement of the Spirit move right by me while I stood frozen, contemplating.
But the beauty of watching and waiting for the right wave-- the one that built the energy to carry me to shore on its crest-- and jumping on, that was giggly delight.
And this, my friends, is how I feel about where God's Spirit is taking us on this journey of embryo adoption. God's Spirit is moving and all we have to do is ride this wave into shore. This is none of our own doing, our own power or energy: God alone. I praise God that He showed us the right wave and prompted us to dive on top and let God do the rest.
I pray that, as the Spirit is always moving, that you would be prompted to begin or continue to follow as He is leading, under His power to sustain you and give you His victory.
My prayer request this week: I would be ready for our appointment on February 1--my body needs to be on track for proper assessment. Thanks friends!
A month ago, we took a family vacation to the Yucatan, Mexico. Most of the kids time was spent in the water; most of this was spent trying to body surf. As I was out there with my kids, I realized that my attempts at body surfing was somewhat reflective of God's work in my life at that point.
I know very little about surfing, but I have begun to look intentionally for the right wave. There are many good waves to try to ride, but if you just take a good wave, you are missing "the" wave in the meantime. The right wave takes patience and intentionality to see. There are so many good things that we can be doing, but I wondered how many times I have missed out on the very thing that God has called me to while I have been distracted by those things I deem good and I decide on my own to do.
When I saw the wave I had been waiting for coming, one of two things occurred. As happened a few times, I froze, questioning the wave, only to watch it go by me and exclaim, "Shoot! That was the one!" And the wave was gone and I missed it. I, too, have been a bystander to the things of God and have watched the movement of the Spirit move right by me while I stood frozen, contemplating.
But the beauty of watching and waiting for the right wave-- the one that built the energy to carry me to shore on its crest-- and jumping on, that was giggly delight.
And this, my friends, is how I feel about where God's Spirit is taking us on this journey of embryo adoption. God's Spirit is moving and all we have to do is ride this wave into shore. This is none of our own doing, our own power or energy: God alone. I praise God that He showed us the right wave and prompted us to dive on top and let God do the rest.
I pray that, as the Spirit is always moving, that you would be prompted to begin or continue to follow as He is leading, under His power to sustain you and give you His victory.
My prayer request this week: I would be ready for our appointment on February 1--my body needs to be on track for proper assessment. Thanks friends!
Monday, December 26, 2016
The Little I Know and What is Happening
So, embryo adoption, aka snowflake adoption. Legally, there is no such thing as embryo adoption as an embryo has no legal rights. However, for the sake of semantic simplicity, embryo adoption it is.
Here's the short of it: parents who have chosen Invitro Fertilization many times have too many embryos to use. When they are finished having children, they need to decide what to do with these little lives that have been created. They can destroy them outright, destroy them by donating them to research or they can keep them frozen for future donation to an adoptive couple.
No matter what you feel about the ethics of IVF, the fact is that there are over 625,000 little lives frozen and waiting for parents. God has called us to be part of the solution-- the absolute beauty of becoming parents all over again.
God directed us to the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville, TN, for this adoption. NEDC has a heart for life. They are all about the life of these embryos, giving them fuller life by giving a chance at birth. Statistics can vary, but I have read that about half of these embryos do not survive thawing, another half make it to live birth. But we are relying on God for 100%-- and you can please pray with us.
Tim and I are currently in the process of our home study for this adoption through New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN. We are certainly loving the heart of this ministry, too.
On February 1, we have our first appointment at NEDC in Knoxville. I will have screening for viability of carrying to term, consults and a "trial run" of the IVF procedure. When all goes well, we will receive parent profiles to examine and choose embryos. The usual timing until actual implantation after this first appointment is six months.
I am looking forward to a baby bump next Christmas. I can hardly grasp that our baby is waiting for us.
God has just excited our hearts for our new child or children (yes, a chance at multiples ;) ) and we feel so honored to be a part of His great plan. We are entering the new year in faith, knowing that God is 100% faithful. He has called us to step out in obedience and there is absolutely no other place I would rather be then journeying with God, being guided by His Holy Spirit.
Here's the short of it: parents who have chosen Invitro Fertilization many times have too many embryos to use. When they are finished having children, they need to decide what to do with these little lives that have been created. They can destroy them outright, destroy them by donating them to research or they can keep them frozen for future donation to an adoptive couple.
No matter what you feel about the ethics of IVF, the fact is that there are over 625,000 little lives frozen and waiting for parents. God has called us to be part of the solution-- the absolute beauty of becoming parents all over again.
God directed us to the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville, TN, for this adoption. NEDC has a heart for life. They are all about the life of these embryos, giving them fuller life by giving a chance at birth. Statistics can vary, but I have read that about half of these embryos do not survive thawing, another half make it to live birth. But we are relying on God for 100%-- and you can please pray with us.
Tim and I are currently in the process of our home study for this adoption through New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN. We are certainly loving the heart of this ministry, too.
On February 1, we have our first appointment at NEDC in Knoxville. I will have screening for viability of carrying to term, consults and a "trial run" of the IVF procedure. When all goes well, we will receive parent profiles to examine and choose embryos. The usual timing until actual implantation after this first appointment is six months.
I am looking forward to a baby bump next Christmas. I can hardly grasp that our baby is waiting for us.
God has just excited our hearts for our new child or children (yes, a chance at multiples ;) ) and we feel so honored to be a part of His great plan. We are entering the new year in faith, knowing that God is 100% faithful. He has called us to step out in obedience and there is absolutely no other place I would rather be then journeying with God, being guided by His Holy Spirit.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Loco o No?
Estas loco?
15 to 20 years ago, I may have thought I would do something loco for God – like jump out of a plane with a banner attached proclaiming John 3:16. That's just silly, not crazy.
My platinum-blonde-pixie-cut-six-earring-tattooed self of yesteryear could not have imagined a homeschooling-Suburban-driving-stay-at-home mom of at least five. God's crazy plan is so much different from my own. And I love it.
I don't actually call His plan crazy and I'm not doing anything crazy for Jesus. I am simply following His call for our lives. To some, it looks a bit crazy. That's OK. If it is, I am so grateful for the craziness.
We have been called to adopt again. Five or six kids is hardly crazy. The part that will get a few relatives choking on their Christmas ham is the method of adoption.
God has graciously and delightfully called us to embryo adoption. Never heard of it? Neither had we. We will adopt embryos (though not considered adoption legally: perhaps more on that later) and up to 2 to 3 will be implanted so I will carry and deliver our adopted child/ren. Though we don't know all the why's of God's calling, we know He has been very clear.
When God calls, we are to step out in faith and obedience. As this loco thing unfolds, I'm so excited to see what God is doing in our midst.
(I apologize that I didn't take the time to convert to a Spanish keyboard: yes, I am aware of the upside-down question mark and accent in estas ;) )
Estas loco?
15 to 20 years ago, I may have thought I would do something loco for God – like jump out of a plane with a banner attached proclaiming John 3:16. That's just silly, not crazy.
My platinum-blonde-pixie-cut-six-earring-tattooed self of yesteryear could not have imagined a homeschooling-Suburban-driving-stay-at-home mom of at least five. God's crazy plan is so much different from my own. And I love it.
I don't actually call His plan crazy and I'm not doing anything crazy for Jesus. I am simply following His call for our lives. To some, it looks a bit crazy. That's OK. If it is, I am so grateful for the craziness.
We have been called to adopt again. Five or six kids is hardly crazy. The part that will get a few relatives choking on their Christmas ham is the method of adoption.
God has graciously and delightfully called us to embryo adoption. Never heard of it? Neither had we. We will adopt embryos (though not considered adoption legally: perhaps more on that later) and up to 2 to 3 will be implanted so I will carry and deliver our adopted child/ren. Though we don't know all the why's of God's calling, we know He has been very clear.
When God calls, we are to step out in faith and obedience. As this loco thing unfolds, I'm so excited to see what God is doing in our midst.
(I apologize that I didn't take the time to convert to a Spanish keyboard: yes, I am aware of the upside-down question mark and accent in estas ;) )
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