It can be very overwhelming if one focuses on a future of questions and unknowns. True, if your chief desire is to love and please Christ, then you ultimately know that everything works together for good. However…it can be easy to look at what is ahead and forget that there is One who is in control! Plus, I am pretty sure that if we all were able to look ahead at the next ten years or so and could see the mountains and valleys the Lord will take us over and through it would cause us to breath a little heavier. Why? Well, I suppose since we are fallen men we tend to often forget that the God who created this entire, amazing universe can also handle our lives. That is much easier said than done - but it's all a process of growth. If I would have known ten years ago what roads He was going to take us on to mold Amanda and I, I would have been scared out of my “young” twenty-one year old mind. Thankfully, His faithfulness makes up for my lack of faith as He has taught us countless times to trust Him for what lies ahead.
On That Note…
After spending most of last year pleading with the Lord to show us a glimpse of what He is doing in our lives, Amanda received a gift box from one of our supporting churches in early January. Included in this box was a card from a young lady who was pregnant and felt that the best thing for her child was to find a Christian family to adopt her baby. After exchanging emails with her for several weeks, we went in March to meet her for the first time. Although we were more nervous than we have ever been, it was a wonderful trip and God gave us a sweet time together as we embark on this new relationship. We were very grateful to meet her and are humbled that she desires for us to adopt her baby. We are so excited to see what is in store! The baby is due this summer and I would ask that you would please pray for God’s perfect plan in this. Once again, He amazes us! Although we miss Ava greatly, there is no doubt that we would not have this opportunity before us if He had not taken her home.
The Future
As we mentioned in our last update, we are very close to our 100% support level, which is very exciting. As of right now we are planning on leaving in January 2010 as we have to stay a few extra months because of the adoption process. The extra time will help us finish our full support as well as raise funds for the many expenses it will take to move and settle in once we arrive in Ethiopia. If you would like more information on how you can give toward projects, please let us know. We are anxious to arrive on the field, but know that it is all in God’s timing, which is much greater than our timing! We hope that you have a wonderful spring as we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, and as always may we strive to be more like Him every day.
