It has been an emotional and challenging few weeks. It has been decision time: we have had to make decisions that determine the direction we are moving in for our adoption, choosing one path that closes other doors. We do not take these decisions lightly, for our future children and for ourselves. We also want to be wise in our financial decisions, honoring those who have contributed to our adoption.

In addition, we have had to deal with random conversations with well-meaning people who say the most ridiculous things about adoption – especially considering they have not themselves adopted. This is something I will, most likely, address in a future blog. For now, we have good news about our process and I am excited to share it with you all.

So, here’s the scoop…

As you know, Toby and I want a large family. That means we have to complete adoptions as close to back-to-back as possible. Due to changes in the Ethiopian adoption process, the timeframe for adopting from Ethiopia has lengthened. So, in order to try to complete two adoptions, back-to-back, rather than one adoption in 18-24 months, we are concurrently pursuing both domestic and international adoptions.

We will work to complete a domestic adoption, but have not yet determined an agency. We are working with America World Adoption to complete an adoption from Ethiopia. Whichever agency process provides a referral first, will be the first adoption we complete. The other adoption will be put on hold for six months to one year after we complete the first adoption. Then we will pick-up with the second adoption where we left off in the process.

It is out hope that this concurrent process will allow us to complete our adoptions more quickly. We are open to any race and either gender. We just want a child to love and raise to know Christ.

We have begun our home study and are working with our wonderful social worker to complete it as fast as possible. The mountain of paperwork is daunting, but we will conquer it.

This is the process we are in, as best as we can plan for, realizing that God is in control and will direct our paths. Should he choose to change things, we will follow his direction. We make plans using the wisdom and insight we have been given, but hold them in an open hand, as the Lord will accomplish all things in His timing and His way.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.”

Today is Father’s Day and that naturally makes me think of God and His father’s heart. Since we are in the process of adopting, it also makes me think of Joseph.

Joseph was chosen by God to be Christ’s earthly father. He was entrusted to shepherd the life of Christ as he grew from infancy to manhood. At first glance, it seems we know very little about Joseph.

We know he was a carpenter. How interesting that the Creator of the universe would choose a builder to raise His son on earth. A builder would understand the hard work that goes into developing something – the sacrifice, the time, the energy, the understanding, the love, the attention to detail.
We know that he listened to God and was obedient. That’s important if you are going to trust someone with your only Son.
We know he was faithful. A critical character trait if you want to make sure that there will be follow-through, that regardless of circumstances or cost to one’s self, things will be seen through to the end.
We know he protected his wife and family. That’s no small task when a mad king is chasing you down and all of hell decides your child is the one to target.
And, because we know these things, we know he was an imitator of God. Probably the greatest statement you can make about someone’s character.

I guess we know more about Joseph than we realize.

As Toby and I prepare for adoption, we are very aware of the fact that we are being entrusted with a life, by God and by the birth family, to shepherd and steward until we pass from this life to the next. We know this is no small undertaking. We look to Joseph as a model.

We pray for strength to be builders. To build into our children what they need to be strong sons and daughters of God; to instill in them values and to help shape character in them the Character of Christ. To draw out of them their unique abilities and talents.

We pray for wisdom to listen and be obedient to God ourselves, that we would be a model to our children.

We pray to have the spirit of finishers and to be faithful to what has been entrusted to us.

We pray for the courage to protect them and their innocence in a world that seeks to steal it away. We want to help them mature and grow into womanhood and manhood in the healthiest way.

We pray most of all, that we would know Christ, be like him, and in so doing, make him known to our children.

– Tobias and Kelli

In our wedding, I walked down the aisle to the old Irish hymn Be Thou My Vision. It is a song that has both inspired me and articulated my desire for knowing Christ. Throughout my life, I have read the words to this song when facing challenges, when dealing with the every-day, and when pouring my heart and soul out to the Lord in prayer and worship.

Not surprisingly, my Tobias loves the song for the same reasons.

Today, I revisited it…I needed it…

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