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.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Harmonious 24 Hours


In China the first 24 hours of your adoption is called the "Harmonious 24 Hours" and it concludes with the finalization of your adoption! At 2 PM China Time Zone and  3 AM US Central Time Zone 15 April 2014, Zachary Chase Porter legally became our son in the eyes of the laws of China and of the United States of America. When our return flight to the United States touches down in San Francisco he will also be officially a citizen of the United States of America. This new little man of mine is ours to steward on behalf of our great God by whose hand this has been made possible.  It is HE who is Zach's true father and tonight we praise Him.

As we approached the building of the Adoption authorities, so many emotions race through me - but mostly the emotion of JOY. The kind of joy that  makes it hard to breath, harder still to look through eyes that fight back tears, and yes harder still not to scream out our thanks to God who is the giver of every perfect gift.

On our arrival we were asked to pose for a picture, then a few moments later we went into another room,  we were asked a few question to promise we would care for, nurture and educate our son. We promised to do so (reminded me very much of a child dedication ceremony at church with different questions!). We signed our acceptance of Zach as our son, placed our finger print over the signature. They added one of Zach's fingerprints, An finally an official proclaimed to us that he was then our son. Just like that, and he is ours. We are so very blessed. We took many picture and returned to our hotel. It was a day that will be etched in my mind and on my heart- FOREVER.
Rejoice with us! Tomorrow we will visit his orphanage and the place where he was abandoned. This will be a hard thing to do.





1 comment:

Anonymous said...

SO EXCITED for you guys! I'm praising God and rejoicing with you! What a beautiful son God has given you! Can't wait to meet him when you guys get back - already practicing my Chinese! :) ~Melissa