Daddy’s Joy is…

  So excited to have their own new pajamas!
Originally uploaded by Abba’s Girl.

having his whole family together, it also helps to smile…

We just received an email from a close friend who has begun the road to adoption and thanked us for being voices of hope and encouragement to them.  To you, we say thank you.  We have followed God’s leading on our lives to move on and press forward, as a minister of the Gospel and lover of truth.  To be honest other men have inspired me to be a great father like them, men like Robert Lewis, Brian Houts, AJ King, Dave Tremaine, Paul Witty, Larry Smith, Ben Bevis, Bill Springston, Kevin Schmidt, Buck Garno, Dan Hardin and many others.  And I feel like I need to write this for my sojourners and friends as I feel that God has pricked my heart today as I received the email from our friend, and then read this, “It is a privilege to be called to go first even when it means that you are the first to suffer and the only one to risk. It means that you must bear the weight of responsibility and accept the consequences that will come with the privilege.” (Chasing Daylight, p.191)

I have been reading Chasing Daylight by Erwin McMannus and I have found it rather inspiring and encouraging as we endeavor on this journey.  In his book he is constantly expounding on seizing divine moments, for God, for greatness, for sacrifice, and for growth.  Not entirely accurate but kind of like Robin Williams in “Dead Poets Society,” who’s famous saying was “Carpe Diem.” We must seize the days that God has given us and step out in faith like Jonathan did under King Saul and Paul did when he came to Jesus, or Moses did when he stood up to the Pharaoh, or like my mom did when my brother became ill.

In his book he uses the biblical story of Jonathan and his armor bearer to explain how you must step in faith and lead by listening and following God’s voice.  As a ministry leader for my community it is often lonely and a bit dangerous, I need to stand up for the people I love, the kids I cherish, the parents I value, the volunteers that lead.  I need to be there for them.

I truly know that we are not the only ones risking in this journey to parenthood, because many of you have financially, emotionally and prayerfully invested in our lives for a very long time, but as far as we know, we are the first in both our immediate and extended families and close friends to choose to build our family through adoption. So in essence we are pioneers, although many others we have met have gone before us, we feel called and blessed to be the first among our immediate circle of influence.  We are rookies however when it comes to parenting and many of you will be sought out for comfort, support, advice, and help because you possess much more pioneer knowledge in parenting than we.

We consider it our privilege to share with you our journey and hope you enjoy keeping up with us as we move daily to a place of maturity as parents, lovers, friends, and Christ followers.