His Promises

Have you ever had that feeling that God had just spoken to you or to your heart?

There have been a few times in my life where I have felt that He has given me guidance through a quick picture in my brain.  For instance, about five years ago I told my husband that I thought that we were meant to have another 'set' of children.  We currently had 2 children that are relatively close in age and I had this 'vision' of another set and one of those children would not be biologically ours (but ours in every other sense.)

Last year, I was woken up early one morning with a quick picture of a friend of mine and a then a quick picture of a child.  This picture was one that I had remembered seeing, randomly, of a baby from a visitor at Sam's orphanage.

I knew that this friend and her husband had been talking about adoption so I was thinking that God might be trying to use me for His purposes... so I called her!  I told her that I had a quick picture of her and this child (as I sent her the exact picture that I had seen to her through a Facebook message.)  I then said, "my job here is done."

Actually, there was more to the conversation but you get the point.

And the bigger point is that my friend and her husband are now processing an adoption with the Haitian government to bring this little baby home!!  I truly believe that God communicates actively with us through different means to lead us to His will.

So the night that I was heading down to Haiti, after getting the urgent call that something was wrong with Sam, I was in constant prayer.  Stephen and I had a brief conversation that there may be brain damage and that we may have to start looking into long term care options for our new son upon his arrival home.  (at the time we were just told that a doctor has said that he believed it to be Hydrocephalus) 

I kept on praying that I knew that we were on the path that He wanted us to be on.  That Sam is the child that He has planned for our family and that we would love him, no matter what his health condition may be, and that I trusted Him for our family's future - whatever that may be.

I continued to pray this over and over again.  Each time, my heart was calmed little by little.

When I boarded the plane, my thoughts, emotions and even my body were going through physical exhaustion.  I had no idea how my life was just about to have one of the most powerful moments that I have ever had...

Within 30 seconds of the plane taking off, we hit turbulence.  I had driven through some rain on the way to Fort Lauderdale, so I knew there was some low clouds and possible storms. 

Now let me be clear... I'm not a fan of flying and DEFINITELY not alone.  When I don't have someone's hand to put in a death grip.

So there I was, all alone on the whole isle of this plane and gripping the armrests. 

That's when I started praying.

I said, "Lord, I know you are in control.  I know that you've got this.  My life is in YOUR hands and I trust You."

Immediately.  Like it was spoken into my ear.  I heard His voice.

"Then why are you afraid?"

I immediately opened my eyes, He was right, and in that SECOND the turbulence ceased. 

I looked around to see if anyone else had heard this...  but no.  There were just a few Haitian women still 'crossing' themselves.

I scooted over to the window seat to take a look out.  What I saw was a special treat...

Just the hint of sunrise was coming up above the storm clouds.

I wanted to take pictures of it to remember to thank God for these special little gifts that we might have missed if we aren't looking and decide to only focus on the previous turbulence in our lives.

I spent most of the hour and 50 minute flight continuing my conversation with God.  If you haven't had one lately, I highly recommend it.

Anyhoo.  I told Him that knew that He was also in control of Sam's health.  That He brought our family together for a reason and if it was to take care of him -in any capacity- so be it.  We would continue to submit to His will for our lives.

 As I got off the plane, I had no idea that the next 2 weeks would be the most trying of my life.  Many times I was expecting that I would crack or break down from the stress but that never happened.  Sometimes the fear would start seeping in but it never took root. 

I knew I was in for even bigger turbulence on the journey to Haiti ahead, but I also knew WHO my co-pilot was... and that made the path a lot less daunting. 

Transparency

Transparency.  We hear this word thrown around a lot these days. 

In December of 2012, when our family decided to start the adoption process, we needed to make the choice on how public or 'transparent' we wanted to have our adoption process be.

We have seen, known, or followed other adoption stories and knew the different depths of sharing that some do.  Some families do not even announce their adoption until the child comes home.  Others announce it to family and friends but keep the details mum until the child joins the family.  I have friends that have set up private or 'secret' Facebook pages to share the journey with those close to them.

And then there are people like me.

I admit it... I like to be an open book.  I like to share our journey with anyone that wants to follow.

I also like to have lots of brains to bounce thoughts and ideas off of - like the time that we were throwing around names for our new addition.  That was fun!

I guess I process outwardly.

Another reason was that I strongly felt that if we were asking for donations and support for our adoption, we needed to be an open book with the process and costs.  Kind of like a charity or organization.  You lay it all out there for any questions.

I've always been open for questions.  I love them in fact!

One reason I love them is because it opens up honest conversations about adoption.  Although adoption is wonderful, there are real aspects and issues that need to be thought about, and talking to families that have been though it is the best way.

In being an open book, we believe that God has used us to move -at least- two other families to adopt.  Although we take absolutely NO credit in them listening to God's calling in their life, we are thankful that he has used us, Sam and/or our adoption to make an impact.

But most of all, I believe that sharing our story with the world has created a community that was able to pray for us EACH. STEP. OF. THE. WAY!  We had prayers coming before a big meeting/appointment.  Prayers were continuously being said for protection over Sam's sweet little heart.  And I personally saw the pure power of prayer during those two weeks that we were trying to get him home for treatment!!

Sometimes, being an open book can be pretty cool!