God's Providence and when I said, "Yes"

By Evie

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

We attended the wedding of a special friend on Saturday and we got to meet (in flesh and blood) a family who has been in my thoughts and prayers for a long time...

So, I thought it was time I share a little about how I came to say, "Yes" to this call that God has placed on our lives. About two 1/2 years ago during prayer meeting a gal (who has become a good friend the past two years and who got married on Sat.) asked for prayer for her Pastor and his wife back home in OH as they were adopting from Rwanda and were anxiously awaiting the referral for their two youngest children. So we prayed that night for them. And we continued to pray and praised the Lord when they got the referral.

Then, something happened. You see, I never foresaw myself or us adopting. Adoption was not an option or even a desire. Even when we miscarried, we decided if we never had biological children, we wouldn't have children at all. God in his graciousness, did indeed allow us to bare children. Two precious boys! And then we thought we were done! We were perfectly content and happy with the sons that the Lord entrusted to our care. And we were in a new season of life and a new and sweeter season in our marriage. As the Ladies prayed for the Woodmans and their adoption on Wednesday nights, the Lord started to soften my heart towards adoption. No, I didn't have a desire to adopt, but the Lord was giving me a new heart and outlook on Adoption. It was deep. And then the Father of the Fatherless would bring the Woodmans to my mind at random moments during night or day, even though we didn't pray for them every Wednesday night during women's prayer time. As they came to mind, I would pray for them. Then, while they were in Rwanda picking up their two precious Kiddos, I got curious as to how they were doing and I stalked them on facebook. It was January 2010. Then, the Lord brought this thought to my mind, "If God called me to adopt, would I obey?" To me, it would be a matter of obedience, because I am very selfish! And I didn't even have a desire to adopt or have any more children. But I knew that question in my mind was prompted by the Holy Spirit. And I had to answer Him. I talked with Him and wrestled. But I knew deep down in my heart, that I needed to say yes. I surrendered and I said, "yes." The emotions and thoughts going through me were crazy. And I knew I would need to tell Steve. He was on his way home from a Ski Retreat with the youth group...

As is a habit of mine before I get up from the computer, I checked email. And I received one from my very good friend Steph. You know what she wrote me about? She told me that I would think that she was crazy, but they had decided to adopt! And do you know what? Had it been a few weeks or months earlier, I would have. But God was preparing me all along (and Steve too). I thank the Lord for that! With the obedience, God has given me this passion and desire. I am really excited about adoption, adopting, and this journey we are on! To be honest, at times I have fears or wonder what what in the world we are doing. But when I am close to Jesus, I have peace and I know we are right where He wants us. I don't know what the future holds, but I certainly do know who holds the future!

So, back to Saturday. Humanly speaking, all this adoption stuff wouldn't be happening if our friend hadn't asked prayer for the Woodmans. And had the Woodmans not been at her wedding, we wouldn't have yet met them personally. I am so glad that my God is in Control of every detail of my life!

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1Corinthians 13:12