WHY ADOPT?

I have had so many people ask why Adam and I are so passionate about adoption. I thought that because there have been a variety of people asking, I should come up with an intelligent answer that sums up reasons without creating a novel to explain our hearts. We love God with all that we are. In saying that, we continually fall short of reaching His will because we are sinful and self focused. Our passion is not because we are martyrs for any cause, we have just been called. We have a strong belief that God wants Christians to adopt. The very fact that HE adopted US into HIS family, gives us the model of a pure and selfless love. We know that it was not easy for Him to love us and choose us as His own, just as adoption is seldom easy in any facet. Many people comment that we "have our hands full" and as we continue to think of yet another adoption, we realize that these very same people will not understand why we would choose to fill our basket even more full. The truth of the matter is that we seldom have it all together and know the direction that we are to go. We do not have the perfect marriage, the perfect behaving children, the perfect homelife. We are broken people and we fall short. What we do have is love. What we can offer is family. What we can do is fulfill God's call on our lives to give to those who are helpless and hopeless and for us, that is those who are orphaned - who have no mommy to wipe those tears or daddy to high five when they aced the spelling test or kicked the goal. We can give love. It does not cost one single cent. Life is EXPENSIVE and the economy is HORRIBLE - we wonder if this is the right time - but could it honestly ever be the WRONG time to give a child a chance - a life - a family - something to identify with and make them stronger in themselves. We also see adoption as a chance to change the world for the Lord. We love God so much and our home reflects His love. We pray - read His word and reflect on His will DAILY - which is why, adopting just makes sense! We were praying the other day and Sophie pointed to her heart and said "EESUS" - That is when it is SO CONFIRMED! Sophie now knows that Jesus is in that sweet heart of hers and that she is loved. Some people will tell us that adoption is not for them and I do not stand in any place to judge. We try to follow God's word as we interpret it and His will as He leads us. We chose to adopt in China because God planted a seed in my (Lisa's) heart showing me that our daughter was in this land. Because of this, we love China and the people and culture and would be honored to adopt from there again if God opens the doors for us. We will not limit God or His ability to use us, people of little talent and ability - to further His kingdom. From the moment Sophie was placed in our arms, she cried big tears, and the confusion and sadness she was feeling was overwhelming, but the love we felt at that moment could only be compared to the love we felt the moment our biological children were placed in our arms. So simply, why adopt - I guess, why not? Life is short and there is no greater gift in life than a family! When we put our children to bed at night, kiss and hug there sweet little necks - we are burdened for those many who have no mommy and daddy to hug and kiss and pray with them - EVERY CHILD DESERVES A FAMILY!