I don't know why I've been putting this off.....

I could blame it on being busy, being summer, being focused on other things.  And those are all true.  I seem to take a hiatus from blogging when I have big news to share, or just don't know quite how to share something.  I want it to come out right, perfect even.  But God knows I'm not perfect.  And if I sat here and edited this post for hours (then had my really smart friend do it again), it still wouldn't be perfect.  Because it would be from this earthly being, who is fallen, though forgiven by grace, and not from Him.  So I've been praying and praying and praying, "God, give me the words to share.  They already probably think I'm crazy.  And some may TOTALLY not understand where we're coming from.  And that's ok, but let them feel YOU speaking through us."

So today's the day we've decided to share.  It's been decided for a couple months.  Since March 28, 2011 to be exact, though God started working on us long before that.  But I didn't want to share, and then have nothing to follow through on.  Kinda like this post.   Yeah, I'm still in Ephesians 1:5.  Don't get me wrong, I feel I've been parked there for a reason, and because I heard what God was ACTUALLY calling us to do this year, but read at the bottom of that post the two blogs I linked too.  That's a little clue.  And I have started out again great with the losing weight.  Read Made to Crave, it changed how I view food and really is a great read!  Started a bootcamp.  Have lost 8 pounds or so in the past couple of weeks.  God is working in lots of aspects of my life.

Ok, so I've strung you on long enough....what's the news already Misty???!?!?!?

God has called us to adopt.....from Uganda!!


And we are super excited!  I should just leave it there and share a little each day, but wanted to give just a little background story.  When I say God has called us to adoption, I truly mean that.  It was the the one thing Eric and I said we'd never do.  Especially international.  Never even really considered it.  Why would we?  Especially 5 years ago when we had our first child.  That's something people do that can't have kids right?  And yes, it's a great alternative, and I've been blessed by friends who have adopted, but it's not the only reason to adopt.  I really can't type up everything that has happened over the past 2 years or so, since God started working on our hearts.  It took that long for us both (we came to the realization on the same day!) to figure out where God was leading us.  I'll just share a few excerpts from my journal on 3/28.  The day Eric came home (after we didn't get to speak all day because he was busy at work, though I had been in tears and prayer, knowing what God was calling us to, and begging him that now I knew, that God would change Eric's heart SOON because I just KNEW he wouldn't be on the same page....little did I know, God had already done that!) and said, "I know, we're going to adopt."  With no prompting from me.  I'm sure my jaw on the floor and giddy smile probably creeped him out, but it was the exact thing I needed to KNOW what I know what I know.  That God called us on this journey, and we're in it together. I wrote this before Eric came home and we talked:

"God has been doing a work on my heart--and though some doubts have been there--I feel even more confirmed by God's hand.  As I got off the phone (with a friend that day, talking about adoption) and Anna started stirring, I picked her up and sat in the floor of her room in tears, praying and begging God to confirm what I think I'm hearing and to work on Eric--as he HAS to lead this journey for us.  The song, "I'm Forgiven" keeps going through my head and reminds me that I am adopted into Christ's family by his blood shed: I don't deserve it!.....I want to be different for His kingdom, not my own.  I want to start my eternity NOW, living as He wills for my life......One thing I am giving over to God is reactions.  I feel unsettled in how mine and Eric's families might react.  Lord Jesus--I give it to you!  It is your will for our life--I submit it to you.  How they feel about it can have no barring on my obedience...."


So there's just a brief glimpse.  I have so much more to share.  I'm sure most of you are wondering how we are going to come up with that kind of money.  I wish we knew!  We are being diligent though, and very prayerful.  Every extra penny that we earn (selling items on craigslist, JuiceintheCity money, Eric's gigs, etc) we are saving 50% for our adoption, and giving 10% to Kirabo Seeds.  God has been blessing us since we committed and said, Yes Lord, send us!  There will be a garage sale soon.  And things raffled off.  And beggings and pleadings I'm sure (mostly for adoption grants).  But mostly, we are begging and pleading with God to provide, and have complete confidence in His ability to do so.  And our hearts are for adoption, so if you'd like to help someone already on the journey, check out my friend Mindy's auction to bring home her next baby with down syndrome here!

So, if you feel so led, please pray for us this week.  Our goal is to have our application and paperwork submitted to Lifeline by Friday.  After that, we'll need to schedule a homestudy and do some things around here (passport application, fingerprints, etc), but we are focusing on one step at a time.  We want to have everything in order so as soon as our homestudy is completed, we can begin applying for the NUMEROUS grants available to adoptive families.  We hope to get approved by one.  If not, we know God has this for our family and will just keep on saving.  

In the meantime, please pray for the team going to Uganda, led by my new friends Tonya and Craig LaTorre.  They leave on Saturday.  Everytime they are there I revel in the pictures of our new baby's homeland, and how we yearn to travel there soon.

Psalm 68: 4-5  "Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds-- his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him.  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."

Psalm 82:2-4 "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? "Selah"  Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."