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, July 5, 2010

Settling Into a Routine


It has been several weeks since we updated all of you on how things are going. Sorry for not being active on the blog- I think it has something to do with all the middle of the night feedings! When we get Makenzie and Isaiah down for the night, Betty and I have started to make a mad dash for our pillows. I'm not the spring chicken I once was! :-) We always wanted to have twins, just weren't planning on it in our 50s! All kidding aside we do consider it all joy. When we were young, we thought getting up to babies was such a burden. I can honestly say this time it is not a burden at all, just 100 percent JOY (feeling joy and feeling sleepy are compatible feelings- just for the record). We have prayed for a baby every since God quit allowing us to conceive. He has answered our prayers with TWO babies, how could every moment not be a joy? We keep saying to ourselves, there are two of them and two of us, how hard can it be? Those of you who can remember the old Dunkin Doughnut commercials may remember the one where the doughnut man met himself at the door- one of him was coming home and he was also on his way out the door to make the doughnuts. We had a few of those moments early on, when we though we were meeting ourselves coming and going, ahhh but when you are holding a sweet baby in your arms......

We have now settled into a bit of a routine, most nights Makenzie sleeps 6-7 hours has a bottle and then sleeps another 2 or 3 hours. Isaiah usually gets up one time more per night than his sister. The schedule is very manageable now. Thanks for your prayers. Thanks also to our daughters Brianne and Kaitlyn- they are an incredible help. If 4 hands are better than 2, how much better are 8 hands! Josh even helps when we need him too.

It has been such an encouragement to watch our biological kids and adopted Colombian kids receive the twins with such joy and enthusiasm. Many have asked us how the Colombian kids were handling it as we only adopted them about a year and a half ago. Amazingly well - they love the babies to pieces. They do not feel threatened or in any way jealous.

Since we have been home with Makenzie and Isaiah we have been notified that our dossier that is in Colombia for two girls was approved! This approval came the first time through- no follow up questions from ICBF. Very unexpected, but we had to put the dossier on hold for 1 year based on ICBF requirements. Please pray that God would give us discernment for what to do about this when the decision time comes. We desire above all else to be faithful to Him.

We will be having a consult with a pediatric surgeon this week on Wednesday. Isaiah needs to have hernia surgery. One surgeon has told us it is the 2nd largest one he has ever seen. So there is some sense of urgency to get it taken care of. Those of you who have ever had you children out under anesthesia know what an unsettling thing this will be. We trust God and at the same time covet all of your prayers. We have been told that around 50% of all preemie boys need this surgery.

The 4th picture is our puppy Oreo. We got her late last winter- not expecting babies in the spring! Timing is everything don't you think?

God bless each of you.

Jim and Betty
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