07 November 2010

Orphan Sunday

Today is Orphan Sunday.


We were asked by our pastor if we would like to share our story and our passion to start a family through adoption with our church family this morning :)
I thought that since you all are pretty much family too, that I would share our little hearts with you as well :)

Adam and I are excited to share the beginning of our adoption story with all of you today.

Janel:
Adopting children has been the desire of my heart for as long as I can remember. I have always wanted a big, colorful family. As I grew older, the fire in my heart continued to grow stronger, and God's will for adoption in my life has been continually confirmed; especially while falling in love with the children I have met in Reynosa, Mexico on mission trips.
As I searched for my husband to be, a love for adoption was a must on my 'list' and I knew that God would direct my path. When I met Adam, one of our first conversations was about our families. I learned within 20 minutes that Adam had experienced the joy, love and sacrifice that foster care had meant to his parents and their family as a whole. It's not easy to part with little children you have cared for and loved and I really admire their courage and conviction. In fact, one of the girls that the MacLean's cared for has been reuinted with them after 20 years apart. By the grace of God she was adopted just a couple of years ago. It's amazing that after all she has been through God found a way to bring them back together, leading Cindy to give her life to Jesus, and replace the missing piece in the MacLean family. Both of Adam's brother-in-laws had been adopted as well. He shared with me (before I had even said anything) that adopting a child  was something that he wanted to do someday! Keeper!

Adam and I have been married now for almost two years and are ready to open our hearts and our home to a child.  We have been planning and saving for months now and our prayer is that God will open the right doors, bring us to the right people, and honor the desire of our heart to begin our family in His time and through His will. We can’t wait for Lupita.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. -- Matthew 18:5


Adam:
My wife really has a way with words doesn't she? Her passion and fire for adoption was one of the very many reasons I fell in love back in March of 2008. If you knew me back then, before Janel, you would have been astonished that marriage and children were anywhere close on my horizon. But God has a will, and the way is often made clear when He knows we are ready for understanding. The Lord knew that it was not good for me to be alone, and praise God I have Janel in my life as my loving wife. Our hearts, having been adjoined, are now fit to burst with the excitement and hope of chilrden, and specifically, adoption. There will be sacrifice, and our marriage will grow and thrive as challenge forces us to come together only as we place God more and more firmly in the center of all we do. Our prayer and our commitment is to lay down our lives for the children we are praying for. We are not adopting because it's cool or trendy. We are adopting to fill a need, for the child and within us, that God may work, and that we may be His hand's and feet. May God bless the children we are blessed to keep, and allow us to be the very best parents we can be.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. -- 1 John 5:1-2

Here is a great little video that I found on the Orphan Sunday website, that gives a little insight into the need for adoption :)  Enjoy!!



xo
janel

13 comments:

  1. I cried when I read Adams. He loves you so much, and I can't wait to "meet" Pita one day.

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  2. long time reader... first time commenter I think.

    Congratulation on coming to such a great place in your life/marriage to be able to open yourselves up to adoption. I think it is super important to do good for the world and this is one of those extraordinary things that will give you multiple blessings in life. Please keep us updated. :)

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  3. Janel,
    This is so beautiful!
    Thanks for sharing your story, and I can't wait for you to get your little Pita. You will be the best kind of mom. :)

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  4. What a beautiful heart you have. I love it. And I love how your Adam loves you.
    I think we both got pretty great Adams. :]

    YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
    I wish there were more people in the world like you.

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  5. Hi there,

    I am also a long time reader...

    I got tears in my eyes reading what both of you wrote. I was adopted as a baby and have always felt this desire to adopt as well. Some are not as accepting of this desire, but luckily I also have a life partner that shares this with me. I am looking forward to reading about your adventure! Maybe you will "push" me a little? :)

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  6. I can't believe I forgot to say this before....but one of my closest friends adopted a baby girl from Guatemala three years ago. She is a happy preschool attending girl named Olivia now. :) I cannot imagine life without her!

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  7. What a beautiful post! I love the heart that God has given both of you for adoption! You have a beautiful love for Jesus that I can see in these word you wrote. Pita will be so blessed to have you both as her parents.

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  8. The service yesterday was so beautiful....your testimonies were great....so inspirational! Thanks for sharing!!

    I got an e-mail from somebody today who is considering orphan care. PTL!

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  9. you both deserve this so much.

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  10. were u tryin 2 make me cry? man that video was a tear jerker.

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  11. I just love this post Janel. I love that you're my sister and I love that you love my brother. I love that our fmailies will be colorful and that this experience (though ours will be different, as no two paths are the same) but it's one that we can share!

    I love you! SOO much! xoxo <3
    P.S - Aunty can't wait to meet you Pita! You're one VERY blessed little girl!

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  12. Found your blog while blog-hopping. I hadn't intended to comment but then this post was too beautiful to not comment. Is Pita home yet? Do share your adoption experiences.

    And oh, your bento lunches look adorable.

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Thank you so much for commenting!! xo