so...the adoption retreat!
i'm finally sitting in starbucks and have the quiet, uninterrupted time that i need to get my thoughts out.
the retreat was more than i imagined it to be.
i was hoping to be refreshed, but i didn't think i would be so inspired!
after worshiping in a room with 400+ other women who are walking this same adoption journey, how could i not be inspired?
on the way home, i wanted to call all of my friends and tell them to adopt, immediately. but, i spared them the awkward conversation.
you're welcome, friends. but consider this my phone call.
the world is full of orphans...from the city you reside in, all the way across the globe. i know not everyone is called to adopt, but maybe you've been feeling the nudge.
there are children, sitting in orphanages or worse, on the streets. children that are your childrens ages. can you imagine your 4 year old walking around, by themselves on the streets, looking for a scrap of food? or your 8 year old, taking care of their 4 younger brothers and sisters? or your 12 year old, being sold into sex slavery?
it's happening, all over this globe.
"the world sees an orphan, but the Lord sees a disciple"
bam.
there it is. the quote that rocked my world.
the lord sees these precious little ones and has great plans for them.
i hope that the lord uses all of my kids for good, but in particular, i'm excited to see what he does with elsa's life. a life that is so completely different from a life that she might have lived.
because we chose to say yes to something big, her life has been forever changed.
can you imagine? what if she's the president one day?
or creates the cure for cancer?
or goes around speaking at conferences, teaching women about jesus?
what if elsa leads hundreds, thousands or millions to christ?
to be quite honest, even if she leads one person to christ, it'll all be worth it.
i'm just excited for her.
i'm excited for the lord to use her, and all my children.
and please, do not think even for a minute that we "saved" her.
yes, her life has been completely changed, but so has ours. our eyes have been opened to a love that i had a hard time knowing existed. yes, i've struggled. and yes, i still struggle. but knowing that the lord loves me, even when i struggle, is enough to keep me going.
he adopted me into his family, much like we adopted elsa into ours.
i learned a lot at the retreat, but the one thing that i kept coming back to was how much the lord loves these precious children. and how much he wants us to love them as well.
and loving them like he loves them? oh, friends. i've failed at this many times.
i am grateful for a god who loves and forgives.
who gives me new mercies every morning.
i may not ever have it right, but i'm trying.
and i was reminded during the retreat, that he never left me. even amidst the dark days, he was there. even when i was a horrible mom, he was there, loving me. even when it felt like there was no hope, he was there...waiting patiently for me.
adoption IS a beautiful thing.
it is beauty among the ugly.
so, maybe you've gotten the nudge?
maybe you feel like you've got room in your house for one more.
maybe you feel like you've got love in your heart for one more.
pursue that nudge.
because when you say yes to "one more", the orphan situation becomes "one less."
and friends, it's hard. but i know one day i will be able to confidently say that it's worth it.
-if you're feeling like you want to help but know that adoption isn't for you, don't fret.
here's a few organizations that you can check out...helping comes in many forms-
i'm happy to answer any adoption questions you've had. leave a comment on this post and i will respond there as well.
My husband and I have been talking about adoption since we were naive college students. It is on my mind all the time, but we have lots of money to save, first. And our house is tiny and we already have 4 people living here. So we've got to save and prepare, but we know our family will grow, eventually, and we can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI'd be a liar if I didn't say that your blog has definitely helped confirm our decision. Thanks for sharing your story!
what a great post. thanks for sharing your heart!
ReplyDeleteRock Chalk Jayhawk Kohen!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! I'm in tears because this is such a strong desire of both my husband and I. It's something we both have wanted to do, even before we were married. I'm just so overwhelmed and don't know where to begin!
ReplyDeleteThe financial aspect is a biggie... but I know God will provide if it is what he is calling us to do... any comments you have on that would be great. How do you afford adoption? Does Mr. Anderson have a super good job? Fundraisers? My husband works on a farm... good job, but it's not the highest paying thing ever... any advice?
This really is a beautiful thing! I've always loved adoption and stories of adoption. I hope more than anything that it's something I can achieve some day.
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the retreats website. It looks awesome and there is a whole group of us mommies who have adopted and/or do foster care from my church that would love to go to something like this. Do you know if they only do it twice a year? Or will there be more later this year? Definitely will be waiting for the next retreat!
ReplyDeleteemily, I am so proud of you. I know it's got to be very hard, but the fact you are putting it all out there and sharing your struggles is really big of you! I love your heart...I think Elsa is going to be someone AMAZING, she already is and for you to have a hand in that, well that's awesome! God is awesome.
ReplyDeletelove,
tara
Awesome post! My friend is adopting from Ethiopia and was there also! Glad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post. Please remember that you can adopt through Childrens Services and there isn't a fee. I think most people think they have to save tons to make adoption possible.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you've posted this before I'm not sure, but do you have any resources for parents who are interested in finding out more about adoption?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THESE PICTURES!!!<3 :)
ReplyDeleteWell written. I will pray that those who read it are inspired. As we approach the adoption of our daughters through foster care, I can't help but look back and say that my heart has been broken open with the love for all 5 of our kids through biology and foster care. It is hard sometimes, you are so right. You are so honest. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this :) It's something we plan to do and I love how so many blogs I read lately are on adoption. It's so great to gain more knowledge in such an overwhelming process!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post. I'm so happy that this retreat brought you so much peace!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to provide another alternative for people who want to do SOMETHING but can't adopt for whatever reason. Organizations like World Vision and Compassion International allow you to sponsor children. These monthly sponsorships help families support their children (by paying for school, medical care, etc). I believe in these causes because they help families stay together thereby preventing more children from ending up in orphanages or wherever. How terrible would it be to have a child but be so unable to meet their needs that you would have to abandon them?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm all for adoptions and supporting the orphans! I just wanted to throw it out there that its important to help families stay together also.
There were so many times at C4C I wanted to stop you and introduce myself and tell you how much your honesty about your struggles has meant to me.
ReplyDeleteBut I didn't because...I don't know. But I didn't.
I love that you posted this. C4C rocked my world in so many ways.
FYI, I put a link to this post on my blog hoping to have others inspired.
ReplyDeleteYes girl. Yes, yes and more yesses! Praying God uses this post and people step out and obey. <3 :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!
ReplyDelete@laura, we were concerned with finances involved in international adoption as well. we had some money saved that we were able to use towards the adoption. we also held a fundraiser on our blog, back in october 2010 that raised about $8,000! we applied for a grant and received that as well (i think that was about $3,200). and aside from all that, we kept on getting donations from family and friends. the lord provided, most definitely.
ReplyDeletelike debby said, childrens services allows you to adopt without a fee. you can google that with your town.
@the campbell's journey. created for care is only in january and march for now. i haven't heard of any plans to add more throughout the year. they still have spots available in march though!
ReplyDeleteglad to hear you were so inspired..and glad you could create this post to inspire the rest of us. your blog is amazing and your words, photos and humor have made a difference in my life so thank you.
ReplyDelete@lindsay, i don't have a ton of resources but i would recommend doing some research on the country you want to adopt from. find out the best agencies, etc. you can find a plethera of blogs regarding adoption in those countries as well. sometimes, those are the best resources!
ReplyDeletei didn't read a ton of books, but one that i'm reading now is kisses from katie. it will stir your heart, big time!
@kristine, yup i totally agree. i provided some sponsoring links at the bottom of my post too. i think that keeping families together is very important.
ReplyDeleteFrom the opposite side... I am an adopted child. Without my wonderful adoptive family, who prayed and prayed for a child until God answered their prayer in a different way through adoption, I have no clue where I would be. I thank God for them every day. I also thank God for giving my birth mother the strength to give me up, and for giving me a chance. Adoption is such a wonderful thing. Thank you for allowing God to lead you to it and help you through it. Love and Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm a middle school teacher in Des Moines, IA, and you couldn't be more right. There are homeless kids right smack in the middle of our communities. They live in foster homes (in fact a teacher in the room right next door from me has 2 foster kids that attend our school) they get picked up each day from the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) folks after school each day and when they leave school, some go under the bridge. A former principal of mine, when he worked at a high school in town, found out one of his students was going under a bridge each night. Him and his wife adopted him and he currently is attending college and playing basketball for the school. I guess I just wanted to say, I love this post and you're SO, SO right,there are so many kids of all ages without a home. I will continue to pray for your adoption journey. My sister has adopted 7 kids, so I know, from her experience that there will be ongoing struggles and blessings. Be well, Emily.
ReplyDeleteEM- Thanks for sharing this post I've been working on my husbands heart in the matter and I'm sure one day he will be ready.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. Ever since I went to Cambodia, I've felt like I want to adopt. I'm only 22 now, and just about to get married. We will keep praying and talking about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful family, I know they will all do something great.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI remember you from c4c!!! LOVE your heart for adoption and your blog dear friend! You know what struck me most about you? (Besides the fact that you are even cuter in person, and now that I look back I think I was with you at the Date for God thing? Am I wrong?) Anyway, you said MY NAME. This made a huge impression on me because I am HORRIBLE with names. But out of 450 women you said my name. It ministered to me.:) Love you!
--RORY!:)
Thank you so much for writing this, it really spoke to me today! My husband & I have been talking about adopting for a while, but I'm finding myself suddenly consumed with feeling like God's calling us to do it NOW. This is just helping to confirm that... so I'm thankful! Now praying for God to confirm it in my husband as well.
ReplyDeleteWow. I wanted to adopt before reading this, but this is great! made me cry, pray, excited for our journey, impatient b/c I want it to happen NOW, it made me pray, cry some more, smile (the pics --- oh so cute!), stomach turned (nervousness...or sick b/c of the facts, not sure). Anyway, I was TOUCHED beyond words. Thank you! blessings to you, wonderful chick! xoxo, cat (www.catdmoore.com)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! My fiancé and I have been talking about adoption... something that has been on my heart for as long as I can remember, and he is completely open to it. Sometimes I don't feel the call as strongly as I have in the past and question it. I needed the nudge. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! My fiancé and I have been talking about adoption... something that has been on my heart for as long as I can remember, and he is completely open to it. Sometimes I don't feel the call as strongly as I have in the past and question it. I needed the nudge. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteAdoption is an amazing and beautiful thing.....you are so right. I have two little girls asleep in the next room....both adopted...one home from Taiwan just 3.5 weeks now. The other just turned 5 this week. It is an honor to be their mother.
ReplyDeleteIts a long journey and an expensive one. We aren't rich either and somehow figured it out. Federal tax credit is currently 13k and in our state, we get another 6k. One of our former employers kicked in 5k. If you are adopting anything but a newborn, which is pretty much only possible domestically, if you add up what you save in medical insurance, clothes/food and child care costs that you would have spent on a newborn to the age of your adopted child and add that to the tax credits...you are probably pushing 20-30k based on the state you live in in credits and otherwise cost savings. Maybe an odd way to look at it but when you put it in that perspective, its possible.
HI Emily,
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for some time now. I love your honesty, words,style, and your fresh air approach to this ugly beautiful life that we are all trying to figure out how to live. I just read a blog post that I think you will be encouraged by, laugh at, (maybe cry with) so I thought I would share. http://www.jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/09/06/after-the-airport
smiles,
Kim
so amazing! we just got our baby referral from Uganda!!!!! we're getting a little boy & we already have 2 little boys at home! :) we can't wait to go get our boy. it's hard to be patient now that we have a picture.
ReplyDeleteafterHissmile.com
al
thank you so much for the encouragement you give us through your little stories, both for adoption and as a mom. my husband and i are gathering info on adoption to grow our family. i'm super excited and scared to death at the same time, and God is graciously guiding us through this. we are just at the beginning of a long process, i know.
ReplyDeletei loved where you said "even if she leads one person to Christ, it'll all be worth it." the truth in that simple statement about made my heart burst with joy! praying for your family.
Sarah J.
Soo excited for the March Retreat! It needs to come NOW :) Thanks for sharing your heart!
ReplyDeletethis post gave me the chills..it is something we have considered and will definately dip in deeper after reading your words. thanks
ReplyDeleteI wish you were going to the march created for care ;). I am such a stalker I would probably run up to you and ask all about your sweet kids, ESP. Elsa, since we are waiting on our court date for our 13 month old Eli, in Ethiopia. Nervous about bringing home a toddler, when I have an infant. Love what an Authentic , real, honest advocate you are for adoption, in all of the messes, hard times, and great times! You rock, Emily a.
ReplyDeletethank you for this post, Emily. It is so amazing to read something that resonates so strongly with my own heart. Thank you for your honesty and transparency - you are changing lives!
ReplyDelete