Wednesday, November 9, 2011

National Adoption Month- Our Story


Most people are surprised to find out that one of our boys is adopted. People who have known me
for years will say things like "that one is the spitting image of you!" (We're from the south - it's a 
common expression) Plenty of times I've heard "Boy you couldn't deny HE was yours if you tried" 
and I laugh- while inside I'm filled with joy. Sometimes I tell them, other times I just relish the moment. 


From the moment I learned of his existence, my heart went out to him, and I hit my knees
He was still in the womb - when I began to pray. I prayed for his health, and his protection. 
He had no control over the inadequate prenatal care. He had no control over the chemicals 
which were fed to his developing brain- and I had no idea I was praying for my baby!
He was 8 months old when we finally got him. It was a strange chain of events which brought 
him home to us- his forever family. 


Events which, in hindsight - I can clearly see were from God's hand. 
This baby I had loved and prayed over, yet never met 
nor even seen a picture of - grew in my heart long before I had any idea 
that he was mine- 
That he was indeed - our baby! 


We didn't wait long (at all) before we slapped a life preserver on him and got him out on the water
We spent time at the beach - sticking fat baby toes in the sand and enjoying nature
We introduced him to our ways- and love grew!


It hasn't been easy. Sometimes it has been more difficult than I ever imagined it could be. 
Some days it is still more difficult than I think it should be. 
There have been times where I have doubted my abilities to be who he needs me to be. . . 
and each and every time- God has stepped in to remind me that HE doesn't make mistakes
and that I am the mother that all my children need.  
Ordained by Him!
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: 
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is,
 and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6


You see, just as you can look at each of your children and know that they are special to you
from God- that He ordained them as your babies - I have learned first hand that 
God's hand is on adoption! 
He puts families together - through birth and through adoption

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
 God places the lonely in families."
Psalms 68:5-6


So many times I drop the ball - I fail. Parenting isn't easy. Parenting a child with special needs-
be they physical, emotional or other-  isn't easy either. 
Parenting a child of adoption certainly isn't always easy. 
Most things that are worth-wile are not 

For every moment that brings trials and for moments of defeat . . .


. . .there are many more of encouragement and triumph! 


We have all made sacrifices for him.


We all make sacrifices for each other. 
We share the good and the bad. . . 


. . . because THAT is what FAMILIES do!


We grow, and we learn together! 


We pray our way through the difficult times. We seek support and advice when needed. 
We love and we cry - sometimes with frustration- sometimes with joy! 


God is working inside the heart and life of this precious little one! 


God is working in the heart and life of his mother! 
I am happy to say - His grace truly is sufficient. 

 

I know this because I've lived it
I'm walking in His grace today!  

We are not "out of the woods" - we have known trials- 
there will most definitely be more. 
The enemy doesn't want to see our family succeed. 
but- God is in Control! 
Thankfully, we do not have to depend on my (flawed) abilities as a mother. 
We can go boldly to the throne and seek His grace and His wisdom.
I don't have to be able
 "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded 
that He is able 
to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

2Timothy 1:12b





I have loved this baby since he was in the womb
Even though it wasn't my womb - he is NO LESS my baby. 

And yet, he is not mine at all- like each of my children-
he is God's - you see- I have believed and I have committed my heart, life, 
and soul unto HIM. These are His children. We are His children - and you can be too!

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved,
 and your house."
Acts 16:31 



". . .As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" 
Joshua 24:15b

We've come a long way baby and we will continue to grow 
closer to our Creator- closer to each other. We are HIS


"And we know that all things work together for good 
to them that love God, 
to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28


*November is National Adoption Month
Please pray for the families who have been called to adoption
Pray for the children all over the world who need a loving, safe home
If you are feeling led to seek out adoption for your own family 
or have adopted and are struggling to adjust 
please feel free to contact me if you need support or want to talk about 
what is on your heart. It's a "no judge" zone!
My email is : kellidparker@yahoo.com 
place the word "adoption" in the subject (so I don't delete ya!) :) 



And anyone who welcomes a little child like this 
on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5

(I cannot vouch for the information or associates-on the National Adoption Month
web site - if you need a referral I'll be glad to help)

If you cannot adopt a child into your home, but are willing to adopt one in your heart: 
(*warning- I cried big sloppy tears) 

Gratitude is born in the heart. And it leads you to action.” 

Linking with-

and. . . . . 


#32 - Fat baby toes squishy in the sand
#33 - Recognizing HIM in the every day things
#34 - The "Fisherman" working, serving, loving, selfless
#35 - Dirty hands on dirty boys
#36 - Messy house because the day is too pretty to be inside
#37 - Sparkling eyes that gleam with pride over learning to read
#38 - Teaching my children, myself, in our home, with Jesus
#39 - Wild flowers (weeds) in a jar/ world's most beautiful bouquet
#40 - Memory verses scribbled on the chalkboard
#42 - Adoption - my baby
#43 - Dirty feet from barefoot running


#44 - Faces smeared with happy- chocolate smores with a side of dirt! 





We are not ALL called to adoption, but . . . 
We are ALL called to give and to love 
Even small gifts make a big difference when the mighty hand of God is on it!
$13 for Africa Drought Survival
$16 for Chickens 
$45 for a Goat 
$100 for a Cow
$10 for Seeds to grow life giving nourishment
Gifts of Compassion 
(a trustworthy organization- I do not work for them -I just love what they do!)



Hip Homeschool Hop Button

20 comments:

Rebecca said...

Seriously....that babe was made yours long before he began to grow in the womb...he is your spitting image and wow...my love for you and your family just hit the roof! I seriously can not wait to meet you in person....you make me want to be a better person and glorify God in the way you live so gracefully....

Jill said...

Dear Kelli: This was beautiful. You and your family are beautiful. You are a wonderful mother. All of your sons are exactly where they should be. GOD knew what he was doing.

Thank you, my sister in kind, for doing this post. It is a wonderful, heart felt tribute to adoption.

Unknown said...

oh, sweet sisters, thank you- but, please be clear- that GRACE isn't mine - it's HIS & it's covering up a multitude of sins! It means that when I am messing up (again) I can stop in my tracks and He covers me - I pray out loud with my children that He will help me to do better, be better, help us to glorify Him. It is the only way for me!

Anonymous said...

Kelli...thanks for sharing this beautiful story...how sweet of God to have you be praying even before you knew he was yours...a gift for you and your precious son. God choose you and designed you just for him...
Blessings to you...

Anonymous said...

...and we are all adopted sons and daughters into His kingdom... may God grant you wisdom in homeschooling your three boys... He did for me and my three boys... after 20 years of homeschooling I'm now starting again with my grand... truly His grace is sufficient through all things.

Kelli @ Life in a Barn said...

Kelli, this is a beautiful story. God gave you a gift with each of your children. I wish everyone could understand your statement of, "they are still not my children but God's". I think it took me a bit to realize this and with realizing it, it gave me peace. Because it goes without saying that mommies worry, but knowing that these are God's children I worry less. It also showed me the immense responsibility I have. I am raising God's children, WHOA. And, just brings forth all kinds of saying and scripture. (he doesn't give us more than we can handle, he felt that these three beautiful children were for me, etc.)

Dearest Kelli, you are blessing to those children as much as they are to you. God is using you in so many ways.

(by the way, it took me about 20 mins to write this comment, because my youngest blessing wouldn't stop touching the keyboard.)

Lisa Boyle said...

Kelli, what an absolutely beautiful post! You have me in tears!

What an amazing example of fortitude and courage you are to all of us. Your perserverance and belief in the Lord, no matter what, is truly an inspiration.

May God continue to bless your beautiful family!
Lisa
http://our4kiddos.blogpsot.com

Unknown said...

kelli@ladyofthebarn you know you are always a blessing to me?!

@lisa - nice to meet you! I'll be sure to stop by your "place" very soon!

Lauren K. said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I am thankful to be a member of a church that encourages and supports adoption. I have close friends that have adopted and are in the process of adopting. It's an amazing thing! And truly we are all adopted by God!

Heathahlee said...

What a precious post. He is a very special boy, just like all your boys. And yes, he DOES look a lot like you! (and with drop-dead gorgeous eyes to boot! :))

Donetta said...

So beautiful!! And he really does look like you guys! I loved that part of your post where you talked about people saying that. I've known people who have adopted and I had done the same thing - commented on how much they look like them, only to find out they were adopted! I felt kind of awkward and weird after saying it but what you said makes me feel better. Maybe they thought the same thing! :) Love to see how God has used you! Such an amazing story!!

Unknown said...

yes, Donetta- I doubt they took it as an insult! probably made them smile- although- not all family members look alike and not all adopted children look like their families & it certainly doesn't matter, but it is just a "fun" "cute" thing when it does work that way! I enjoy that in our little family :)

Nancy said...

Thank you Kelli for coming by, I'm glad you found me. I love using our Father's true names, I live and walk in our Ruach Ha'kodesh daily. Covered, yes, in more ways than one. I appreciate that you noticed that...Have a blessed day! Shabbat Shalom!!

bernadette said...

kelli...thanks for this amazing post and for stopping by my place over there at www.thefreedomjournal.blogspot.com we should get together...you in florida and me in montana. combined, our names mean "brave warrior". Ahhh... doesn't that sound just about right??? :) blessings, friend. Bernadette

Theresa said...

Amazing and wonderful story, thank you for sharing!!!! He definitely looks like he belongs with your family.

I just love your writing in this post! Beautiful!

Cordial Chaos said...

What a Beautiful story! What a beautiful family!

Ashley Pichea said...

I love that you shared how he was yours before he was ever "yours"... God knit him together especially for YOU!

meandmy2monsters said...

man! seriously no one would ever guess that he's adopted!! He looks so much like your other boys! Funny how that happens. I have other friends who have adopted children and people tell them all the time that "they can definitely tell they are related."

Sennie said...

Thank you for sharing your story - your family is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

He is just adorable!