Where Are God’s Men? Where Are God’s Women?

I am reading Beth Moore's Bible study on Esther right now.... It's all about facing our fears and trusting the Lord.

This morning the video spoke on Esther 4:16  "... If I perish, I perish."  When I finished watching the video, Mike shared with me that in his devotions this morning he read the following post, Where Are God’s Men? Where Are God’s Women? that spoke of this boldness of faith and actually referenced the exact same verse!

I want to encourage any of you that might be "considering" adoption right now.  When we began our journey we did not have everything "in order".  We did not have all of the financing in place, we did not have all of the space we needed, we did not have all of the answers ... we didn't have all of the FAITH we needed .... But GOD.  We did have a God whose steadfast love endures forever and shows new mercies every morning.  He was and is always faithful and He has and will always provide!  It was risky and required deep trust in the Lord.

Philippians 1:6  says, "He who began a good work in us, will complete it"  Beth Moore warns that sometimes we tend to "live with such self preservation that we miss our calling.  When Esther says, 'If I perish I perish', she went from self preservation to brave determination."

So, if you are are not sure about about adoption right now ... if you are struggling with indecision ... if you are 'on the fence'.  If it seems scary and risky.  Go to Him.  Pray earnestly.  God to His Word and Believe in His Promises ... and Trust in HIM!  This is what we God calls us to ... He doesn't need us to have all of the answers ... he doesn't need us to 'have it all together' when we are called.  He needs us to believe in who he is and what he says he will do for us.

Our Joseph continues to adapt and acclimate to our family amazingly well!  Unfortunately, I lost our memory card that had all of our recent pictures!!  We are searching and praying it will turn up ... but until we find it ... I have no new pictures to post.  

We are so thankful we obeyed the Lord with each of our adoptions.  It has not always been easy but we know and appreciate the Lord's love and faithfulness more that ever!

If the Lord calls us to adopt again, we will obey!  

Please take time to read the post above and be encouraged by Trusting in Him! 

beautiful

Fundraiser

Two of my friends are going to Uganda this summer.  They have some neat items for sale to raise support.

http://andsoweserve.blogspot.com/2012/02/your-bag-tag.html

A sweet family to pray for

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Hello ... this is Gabe Parker.  I am updating the blog because my mom doesn't have time. :)

I wanted to write some things I like about my brother Joseph.

1.  We like to play soccer down in the basement.

2.  He wakes me up early so I am on time for school.

3.  He is really good at lego's.

4.  He helps me clean my room.

5.  He is a very nice brother.

Gabe 

Wondrous Love

"It was like being on the shores of heaven".  These were the words of our dear friend Clarinda James in describing Friday's joyful celebration in which a huge gathering of family and friends joined together to welcome home our Joseph and Samuel.  Fighting back tears, my father-in-law shared similar sentiments ... drawing comparisons to what it might look like when the body of believers who have gone before us will welcome us home on that glorious day of our salvation.  It was powerful.  It was poignant.  It was overflowing with emotion.   It was an unforgettable display of God's remarkable love and provision celebrated in rich fellowship.  It is impossible to articulate the beauty of it all.  Glimpses of this glory are captured by Clarinda at The James Journal and our dear friend Laura at Seven from Heaven

Joseph is home.  I smile as I write these words ... finally home ... in the loving arms of his family!  His short time home has been very special ... his brothers and sisters have been so sweet ... acting as if he has always been a member of the Parker family.  Sasha and I cannot contain our smiles as we watch our dear Hudson play so naturally with Joseph.  He talks to him lovingly (and quickly) as if Joseph understands every word of his English (... which he does not).  The beauty of these exchanges ... is that this 'language barrier' seems non-existent.  It is a language of brotherly love - perfectly understood - that is spoken between these sweet siblings.    

We awake this Sunday morning, this Lord's Day, with grateful hearts.  We are abounding in thanksgiving as we experience God's grace and mercy with fresh appreciation.  We will worship with renewed vigor this morning as we reflect and rejoice in God's faithfulness.  For now, we say thank you to all of those that have so lovingly walked alongside us on this journey.  For the prayers, phone calls, emails, dinners, cards ... for all of the loving gestures of fellowship .... we humbly give thanks for the ways God has used his body to bless and encourage our family.  

1 Chronicles 16:8-25, "Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!  Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!  .... Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered ... He is the LORD our God ... Sing to the LORD, all the earth!  Tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised ..."

Joyfully anticipating the arrival of Joseph & Samuel ... the blessing of the body of believers!

Brotherly love ... Joseph and Gabe embrace for the first time ... beautiful!

Such a special moment.  Joseph in the arms of his grandmother.  A remarkable woman who embraced God's call to adopt many years ago ...  She has taught us much about God's grace, mercy, and faithfulness.  

Reunited at long last with my dear wife!  Nearly 5 years ago, it was Sasha who began responding to God's call to adopt.     I praise God for her faithfulness!  Words cannot capture my love for her.  She selflessly serves her Savior and our family without wavering each & every day.  Her love of the Lord is a daily encouragement to me and our children.  My beautiful blessing from the Lord!

The Parker Family with Grandma and Grandpa Dennis.  Only missing our sweet Hudson who was sick and couldn't make it to the airport.

Home!  (From Left):  Hudson, Joseph, Cara, Gabe, Mia, Jonah, and Ela

Life

It is Thursday evening and our time in Africa is coming to an end.  We have packed our bags, said our emotional goodbyes to the children at the transition home, and are now beginning our long journey back home – closing the chapter on what has been a powerful and unforgettable experience.

We are at the airport.  After successfully navigating the many ticketing, immigration, and security lines – we finally make it to our gate.  Joseph’s excitement is worn all over his face – his smiles have come early and often on this very special day … demonstrating the irrepressible excitement of a young boy whose longing for the love a family half way across the world will soon be realized. 

In the midst of this whirlwind of excitement and anticipation, I see Joseph starring outside the window at our gate.  It is rare moment of quiet reflection.  He seems lost in his thoughts (even if just momentarily) as he stares expectantly at the dark landscape that lies beyond the airport runway.  I watch and wonder what must be racing through his heart as he tries to absorb all that is unfolding.

As they make the call to board, Joseph smiles, reaches for my hand, and in an excited and thick Ethiopian accent says … “Dad … ready!?”.  He could never have imagined the depth and significance of that simple question.  The profundity is not lost on me.  In my humanness, in my sin, in my weaknesses … I know that I am not ‘ready’.  I am flawed and fallen… and more often than not, I am centered on self, rather than the needs of others.  And then, in that moment, I know that it is precisely because of my brokenness that I am exactly where God has called me.  I know that I AM ready … because I AM REDEEMED!  The glorious good news of the gospel is my hope … my strength.  It is my Rock and Redeemer that equips me for this journey.  This glorious truth lifts my spirits high … I smile at the remarkable beauty of adoption.  It is woven within the very fabric of our faith story … standing at the foundation of our hope and redemption.

I smile, take Jospeh’s hand, and answer with a resounding ‘YES’.  The promises of Ephesians 3:20-21 buoy my spirt as we begin our journey home, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”

Joseph ... preparing to come home!