What a wonderful weekend it was celebrating the death and resurrection of my Savior. So much to ponder with Easter. I have said it before, but this adoption process has made me so much more tuned into what Christ did for me on that rugged cross. When he died, he took every sin I have ever committed and every sin I will commit and felt the weight and punishment of it on the cross. I weep thinking of how unbearably hard that must have been, how crushing, how painful, how powerful. I rejoice knowing that his death was not in vain. Death could not defeat him, he rose from the grave 3 days later showing his amazing power and giving me HOPE! Hope that comes from knowing that I am now in HIS family FOREVER, because he has wiped me clean, sacrificed, and loved us to the utmost. PRAISE GOD! It's really too much for me to wrap my mind around. It brings me to my knees, it lifts my hands in praise, it cuts deep within me. I NEVER want to grow numb to the reality of what HE did for ME and for YOU.
Our adoption through Christ is what prompts us to go through this adoption process. The more God pressed adoption on my heart, the more I saw how it correlated with what he did for us. Don't get me wrong, I am by no means comparing what we are doing to what Christ did for us...THERE IS NO COMPARISON, and we could never come close. It has been so neat to see how just in these past 2 months, God is doing things in me, stirring in my heart, refining me through the process, giving me an unending love for this child. This is not simply an act of "good deed" that we are doing, this is in response to what Christ did for us. He shed his blood, he wiped us clean, he gave us an eternal home and he promises to never leave us.
I cannot wait to hold this precious child, tell them how much I love them and that I will never leave them, that their past does not define them. I cannot wait to share who Jesus is with them. For them to not only see what earthly adoption is, but also eternal and spiritual adoption. One sweet day my friends....for now, we keep praying, hoping and trucking right along with the process.
This week we have our homestudy (I cannot believe it is actually here). The homestudy will consist of an observation of our kids, a home inspection, individual interviews and joint interviews. I am slightly nervous just because I know that someone is evaluating us. I have full confidence that it will go well, it's just a lot to work yourself up over. Please pray for us this week if you think about it. We start Tuesday night and finish Thursday. I have envisioned my kids running around like maniacs and swinging from the ceiling fans while our social worker is here. There is no telling what the littles might pull that day, so the prayers are appreciated!
On another note, I am hoping to get our next puzzle update done soon, but with the homestudy this week, I am not sure when that will happen. Can I just say that I had an amazing birthday last week as so many of you stepped up to donate in honor of my 31st (made turning 31 totally AWESOME). I can't wait to update the puzzle with the new pieces and share with you guys how many were sold. There is still time to donate ($10 per piece) if you want to get in on this next update.
Hope everyone is having a good week and enjoying your sugar rushes from Easter...I gotta run...there is a Rees's peanut butter cup calling my name from Dixie's easter basket.
Our homestudy was a lot less stressful than I expected...but so exhausting, as we had to basically relive our entire family and personal history over the course of 2 days! You're going to love Ashley! Oh, and we leave for Haiti on Saturday, say a prayer for us and we'll be praying for ya'll! - Sarah E.
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