Eight Is Not Enough: Half Way There

Why "Eight Is Not Enough"?

When we were younger, there was a television sitcom that was called "Eight is Enough". The television watching world was entertained with the thought of a family with eight children. Most of us were shocked at the prospect of such a large family- myself included! Then ever so slowly, God began to work on our hearts, until we surrendered to Him all of our lives- yes even gave Him sovereign control over the size of our family and He has blessed us immeasurably, with eight biological children. Each of these children have been an amazing gift to us and we cherish each of them. And we praised God for them and felt to ourselves "eight is enough" - at least for a time.

Then God began to stir our hearts. It was as if He spoke to say to us "these 8 precious children I have given to you, but what have you given to my orphans in return?" A burden began to build on our hearts to adopt. We knew that for us God still had other plans for us as parents if we would be faithful to His calling- that eight is not enough. And so, we followed this call to adopted and He has continued to blessed us through adoption. First a sibling group of three from Soacha, Colombia. They joined our family in November, 2008. In May 2010, we adopted twin infants from Texas. In September of 2012 we were privileged to return to Colombia and adopt a sibling group of two from Cali. At this time, we anxiously wait for our travel date to depart for China where a very special girl and boy wait for their forever family. By the time they all reach adulthood, we will have had the amazing privilege to be parents of children in our home for a half century. Our life is full beyond measure, beyond our wildest expectations, yes even beyond anything we could have ever hoped. Truly, eight is not enough. As of late we have wondered if God's plan for us as parents all along was not for eight children, but rather eight plus eight. Our heavenly Father knows and His word assures us "I know the plans I have made for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you." We trust He knows the number of His children He wants us to love and to nurture on His behalf, and whether that is eight or eighty times eight we stand ready and say speak Lord, your servants are listening and are prepared to be father and mother to your fatherless on earth.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Half Way There

First, let me thank each one of you who have been praying for us. Today God answered our prayers by smoothing out the wrinkles in our interstate transfer request for Makenzie. We thought last Friday the whole paper trail might have to start over again- in answer to your prayer and ours, God has accomplished it all through a series of phone calls today. By mid afternoon, we had approval for the request to take Makenzie home. To God be the glory and credit for bringing this about. We praise Him for it. We have also been told that all the right people are watching for the request for Isaiah and will immediately keep it moving. We are told that everyone along the way thinks we will have his approval by Friday or Monday at the latest. That puts us back home on either Saturday or Monday. We are so grateful that we are able to leave with both Makenzie and Isaiah at the same time.

I want to especially praise God tonight for my brother Frank and his amazing wife Molly. They have been putting us up here in San Antonio. They have treated us like royalty and have blessed us in more ways than we will be able to express or repay. I know scripture says there is a friend who is closer than a brother, but I am so grateful for a big brother who is like no other. He always looked out for me when we were boys and continues to do so today. THANKS to my big brother Frankie!

Please continue to pray for continued speed in the process and God's speed and safety for the journey home.

Jim

1 comment:

Wendi and Benjamin Wood said...: Blessings!!!! Love the family picture!; May 19, 2010 at 6:08 PM