Open Arms

Open Arms
...caring for orphans and adoptive families...

Friday, February 19, 2010

They Teach Us Every Day



We were working on a project for Andrew's room and it had been a long frustrating day. With sweat on his brow, Steve said, "One day I would just like to hear one of them say thank you for this!" He spoke this in jest....but I heard the Lord say so clearly, "Me too. One day, I would like to hear you say thank you for this!" Wow, it still is so amazing to me how much we have to learn, how simple it usually is, and how often He uses the kids to drive these points home to us. Recently it seems we hear these points almost daily.
Oh yeah, later that evening as we tucked them into bed, Andrew told Steve "Thank you for bringing us home with you."

Before adding these last arrows to our quiver we would often jump in the car or more often on the motorcycle and ride around town for an hour or two. Just wandering.

Well the kids do not like to wander! Actually that is an understatement. Their first question is either, "What we do now?" or "Where we go now?"

The other day we just needed out of the house for a little while. We were driving around town...not going anywhere in particular.... We stopped and bought the kids an order of fries and set out for a little scenic route tour. Immediately the questions began. Where are we going? How long will we be gone? What are we doing? Why are we going? When will we get home? I finally asked them...Do you have somewhere you need to be today? Does it matter when we go home? Can you just enjoy the ride?....and I heard His familiar voice ask, "What about you, can you just enjoy the ride? Do you have to know where I'm taking you?"

We are learning from our arrows each day. Learning to trust like a child, to believe He is who He says He is, and that He is always in control. We may not know where He is taking us, but that's okay, He is well able to get us there and give us some fries along the way.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Believing God

Well we've been home for a while now and have finished with a few major family events, so it appears the time has come to get back in the saddle and step out again. Beginning in March we will be facilitating an adoption support group at our church. Our hope for this group is really multifaceted. We would like to be a place for people interested in adoption to come and seek out information, a place for those adopting to pick the brains of those who have already adopted, and a place for those who have a adopted to receive ongoing prayer and support as they grow into the new family they so quickly have become. It is our hope to be a clearing house of adoption information for anyone interested and a place where those that do not feel led to adopt can assist families that are led to adopt with finances, or activities for the children.

There are still so many children waiting for families. Please pray that the Lord would raise up families for all those little ones. No child should have to grow up without a family.

Please pray for us as we proceed with the readoption process here in South Carolina. It is not necessarily a hard process but all things like this take time, energy and money, all of which are at a premium now. We also added to our schedule taking Grandma for her radiation treatments 5 days a week for the next 6 weeks, so please pray for her health and everyone's stamina.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings!