Adoption

Today's post is about adoption. Jess over at Making Home wrote a wonderful post about the beauty of adoption. Obviously I, an adoptive mother, am highly in favor of adoption. There was a person who commented on that post and I will quote,

Jess, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on something.In ancient times, there were no adoption agencies. When a couple could not have biological children, God was deemed to have made it so for a reason. Maybe the man would have a child by another wife or concubine, but nowhere in the Bible (that I'm aware of) does it suggest that God wants us to adopt children if we can't have biological children. On the contrary, the Bible seems to suggest that if you are faithful, God will allow you to bear children.Obviously, I strongly support adoption, whether or not a couple also has biological children. I just think it's worth noting that over the centuries, childless couples would not have assumed that God wanted them to adopt. That is our modern mindset.

This post then is my response (though she did not ask for MY opinion) to this person's comment. Please note that I left out her name for her privacy.

Dear commentor, I disagree with your assertion that the Bible does not want us to adopt. In that time and place, as a rule, people took care of their own family members. Immorality was not at the all time high that it is today. Most people had children within the bonds of marriage and not outside of it, although that was not unheard of. The Bible does not mention the word adoption in regards to children and yet the concept is there. Taking care of widows and orphans is mandated for all Christians whether or not they have biological children. Some of the verses that support my opinion follow.

1. God the Father adopted us as His sons and daughters. Ephesians 1.5 He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.

2. Deuteronomy 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

3. Exodus 22:22 - 24 Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword: your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.

4. Psalm 146:9 The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

5. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, incourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

6. 1 Timothy 5: 1-16 talks about how Christian families should behave toward their own family members. It says how if a widow has family they should look after her and not leave it to the church to do. Verse 8 I will quote here, " If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This relates to how we must care for widows and orphans that are our own family members.
Verse 16 also has merit as you will see. "If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need." I submit the same principle applies to orphans.

7. Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy dwelling.

8. James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


You mention that in ancient times there were no adoption agencies. We can't actually know that since we weren't there, but I submit that there were in fact orphans. The Bible talks of orphans and often in the same sentence with widows. The church was admonished to take care of orphans and widows. It mentions that God has a special place in His heart for them. In those times families took care of their own. If a child was orphaned other family members would take the child in. If there was no one then the Bible commands us to take care of them. We have a lot more orphans today than then. We have a lot more people today than we had then too. We live in a throw away society where no one wants to be responsible. Children are born out of wedlock at an alarming rate. Poverty is so bad in these third world contries that women put their babies up for adoption praying that someone will give them not only a better life than they can, but a life period. They wish for their children to survive. If the church were doing its part to help the poor, there would be a lot fewer children to adopt. Sometimes, the Lord allows a couple to be barren so they will consider adoption. He loves those children out there and wants them to be raised in Godly homes. Psalm 139:16 says your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. You see God knew Alaina before one day came to be. He knew what would become of her. He planned her to be my daughter though not born of my body. My life is committed to Him. If He did not wish for me to adopt, He would have prevented it. Had I been able to concieve and give birth, I would not have adopted Alaina. I've always had a heart for adoption, but likely we would have adopted later in life, possibly an older child, but it wouldn't have been now. And I submit one more thing for your consideration. If God did not want childless people to adopt, what do you think He wanted done with the orphans? Kick them to the curb? Some family that can barely support their own children to take them in? Put them in an orphanage? Are you suggesting that people who cannot have biological children are not capable of parenting or that it is not God's will for them to parent? How can you know God's will for someone else? You say that childless couples would not have assumed God wanted them to adopt. How can you know this? Were you there? No, you were not. Sarah adopted the child of the maid Abraham slept with as her own until she gave birth to Issac. Not all childless couples believe that God means for them to adopt, nor do they wish to. My brother and sister-in-law were unable to concieve and chose not to adopt. I know of several other childless couples who have chosen not to adopt. I even know of couples who have chosen to remain childless because they just didn't want kids.

The Bible does seem to say that the Lord opens and closes the womb at His will, but that's just it. His will. Hannah for instance was barren. The Lord had a special meaning for it. He gave her Samuel, and then gave her other sons and daughters. Sarah was barren. He had a reason for it. He gave her Issac and made her the mother of Israel. God had a special place in his heart for Leah because she was an unloved wife. He gave her many children. Rachel on the other hand had trouble concieving. Elizabeth was baren. God had a purpose. In her old age he gave her John the Baptist. Ruth was barren of her first husband. Had God allowed her to concieve she may not have married Boaz, But God had in mind for her to be the great grandmother of David, and thus blessed her to be an ancestor of Jesus. God allows barreness, but in His wisdom He always has a purpose. Sometimes it's for a season and sometimes permanent. You see we are all sinful, and barreness like any other problem is a result of the fall of man. The Bible does not suggest that if you are faithful God will allow you to have children. Lots of people give birth to children who would deny the very existance of God. They aren't faithful. Barreness is a result of the fall of man in the garden of eden just as cancer or any other problem is. One cannot look upon a cancer patient or one with alzheimers and say well you must not have been faithful or this would not have happened to you. The fact is we live in a fallen world and we all suffer the consequences of that no matter how good we are, no matter how bad and no matter how faithful. None of us are perfect and thus completely faithful to God. No not one, and yet some are able to have children and some are not. Some get cancer and some do not. Some get sick and some do not.
Please feel free to comment.

Have You Ever?

I saw this on Michele's blog. Go over and check her answers!

Have You Ever?...
Bold the ones you've done?

1. Started your own blog?
2. Slept under the stars?
3. Played in a band?
4. Visited Hawaii?
5. Watched a meteor shower?
6. Been arrested?
7. Been to Disneyland/world?
8. Climbed a mountain?
9. Held a praying mantis?
10. Sang/played a solo?
11. Bungee jumped?
12. Visited Paris?
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch?
15. Adopted a child?
16. Had food poisoning?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty?
18. Grown your own vegetables?
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France?
20. Slept on an overnight train?
21. Had a pillow fight?
22. Hitch hiked?
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill? They're called mental health days.
24. Built a snow fort?
25. Held a lamb?
26. Gone skinny dipping?
27. Run a Marathon?
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice?
29. Seen a total eclipse?
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset?
31. Hit a home run?
32. Been on a cruise? Around Manhattan.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person?
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors?
35. Seen an Amish community?
36. Taught yourself a new language?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person?
39. Gone rock climbing?
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person?
41. Sung karaoke?
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt?
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant?
44. Visited Africa?
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight?
46. Been transported in an ambulance?
47. Had your portrait painted?
48. Gone deep sea fishing?
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person?
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris?
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling?
52. Kissed in the rain?
53. Played in the mud?
54. Gone to a drive-in theater?
55. Been in a movie?
56. Visited the Great Wall of China?
57. Started a business? Does a babysitting business count? or how about the time I sold candy bars in highschool for profit. My profit. Does that count?
58. Taken a martial arts class?
59. Visited Russia?
60. Served at a soup kitchen?
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies?
62. Gone whale watching?
63. Gotten flowers for no reason?
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma? Well, I tried. They wont take mine.
65. Gone sky diving?
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp?
67. Bounced a check?
68. Flown in a helicopter?
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy?
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial? No, but I visited his tomb and home in Sprigfield, IL.
71. Eaten Caviar?
72. Pieced a quilt?
73. Stood in Times Square?
74. Toured the Everglades?
75. Been fired from a job? Yep. Caught the boss skimming money from the register. Somehow I got fired.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London?
77. Broken a bone?
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle?
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person?
80. Published a book?
81. Visited the Vatican?
82. Bought a brand new car?
83. Walked in Jerusalem?
84. Had your picture in the newspaper?
85. Read the entire Bible?
86. Visited the White House?
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating?
88. Had chickenpox?
89. Saved someone’s life?
90. Sat on a jury?
91. Met someone famous?
92. Joined a book club?
93. Lost a loved one?
94. Made a baby? I made a baby cat out of plaster once does that count?
95. Seen the Alamo in person?
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake?
97. Been involved in a law suit? I testified in one once. Does that count?
98. Owned a cell phone?
99. Been stung by a bee?

Halloween

It's late, but I wanted to post halloween pictures of my Alainita. Me hija. Me corazon. (I hope I spelled all that right) Rita, Pam, Rebecca, correct me when I'm wrong. She was so cute in her little pumpkin costume, and had a blast trick or treating. She didn't really get the concept, but had fun walking up and down the street holding her pumkin basket and watching her socks that had flashers on them.

New Church

So we found a new church. A brochure was dropped into our mail slot at the house advertising a church just outside of post that caters to the military. It's Grace Baptist church. One thing we have really missed while here in Germany has been being a part of a regular church. Going to chapel is nice, and I'm glad we at least have had that. But, it's not the same as a regular church family. At the chapel people are from all sorts of Christian denominations and thus it's a very general service so as not to offend anyone. At least that's the impression I have. We have gone to Grace 2 Sundays now. They have morning and evening services, Sunday school, a nice nursary for Alaina with care workers that actually seem to like children. The one at the chapel had paid care givers who seemed to me to be more interested in talking to each other than looking after the kids, and they had kids ages 0-4 in the same small room. They were supposed to separate them, but when I asked about this they said they didn't want to even though there were more than 20 children in the room. Alaina went one time and I went and got her after an hour because the big kids were just running the place over. Anyway, she seems to be ok in the nursary until she sees us. Then she comes as fast as she can crying. lol Well, when she gets used to the idea and realizes that mommy and papa are coming back it wont be so bad. They also have home groups. We have not gone to these as they start at 1830 on Wednesdays and Alan generally doesn't get home until then or close so it doesn't work out. The pastor and his wife are missionaries to the military (I think) and the service is in English and really it's just like a church back home. I'm quite pleased that they still sing hymns. Some of the worship songs today are a bit confusing. Anyway, we are so glad to go! We found some old friends from Ft. Sill there and are excited to see them again. Also it starts at 1045 instead of 0900 so it's nice to not have to get up so early. While we are not of the Baptist denomination and don't agree with every detail of their faith, our beliefs are similar and both evangelical and we are glad to have the fellowship of other evangelical believers.

Our Trip Part 5

For the last leg of our trip we went to New York city to see Alan's family. We had a second dedication there for his family. It was done at a church I attended when I was living and working in NJ. We had fun visiting with family and friends. We got to meet a new niece and we were able to accomplish getting Alaina's name changed. Alan got to have some real New York pizza and I have to admit it was good! We enjoyed going to diners again and it's always fun to be in a big city. I don't seem to have any pictures from that, but I think Alaina's god mother is sending some that she took. If that's so and she does, I will post them for you to see. After arriving back in Germany, we were exhausted and then discovered that we had a flat tire. So, poor Alan had to change the tire, tired as he was, and then we drove back home. We were glad to get home. Alaina had wet through two outfits and was teething. Then there was the next morning.

Cute Pictures

Our Trip Part 4

The time we spent in Springfield was good, but it went fast. While we were there we spent time with friends and family. It was so much fun to show off the baby! I voted early. We tried to get Alaina's name officially changed, but it was a no go. We had to photo shoots for family and baby pics. We got Alaina's feet measured and bought her new shoes. A pair of black patent leather mary jane's for dress and a pair of white sneakers with little pink flowers on them for play. Here are some of the pics from the Springfield leg of our trip. The top 2 pictures are of me, Alaina and my brother Steve. The last of Alaina in her car seat on one of the picture days.

Our Trip Part 3

So the day of her dedication was spent with family and friends. We ate at Golden Corral and after that spent the afternoon in the lobby of the hotel with family. The kids all ran around and played. It was so much fun to see them and exciting to see how much they loved Alaina and included her in the play. My little baby had a blast! She had so much fun running through the lobby with the cousins chasing her! I wish I had a few pictures of that. I don't know why we didn't take any. I guess we were too busy having a visit. The next day we headed for Springfield, MO where I grew up. My sister traveled with us and it turned out to be a real blessing as it was a 6ish hour trip and though she is a good traveler she is only a baby and gets restless. At one point she pulled out her pony tails and we had stopped for a lunch break. Fran and I took her into the bathroom and changed her diaper but neither of us had a comb so we came back out with her hair all crazy. We were eating lunch when Alan joined us. After only a few minutes he stood up and picked up Alaina. He said, "I have to go comb her hair. She looks like Buckwheat's sister!" So here is a pick (not from that day) of Alaina looking like Buckwheat's sister.

Cord Found

I finally found the cord to the camera. So, now you can scroll down if you wish and see Alaina's dedication pics. Carrie from Oklahoma if I had remembered you were near Lawton I would have let you know. It would have been so much fun to meet you and show off my family! Oh well, we may be back in that area again. If we are, I'll be sure to let you know.

The Prayer Of Billy Graham

I recieved this in an email. I do not know for certain that it originated with Billy Graham, but it sure sounds like it might have.

Billy Graham's Prayer for Our Nation

This man sure has a good view of what's happening to our country!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartely become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God'.

May the Lord forgive me for the part I have played in this. When others in my presence are all agreeing about "Choice" etc. and I say nothing, I am condoning it.

Practice What You Preach

As soon as I find the camera I will post the pictures. Sorry about that.

My post today is about bloggers. I have a real issue with people who blog about modesty and how women should dress and talk about their good Christian morals and hold themselves up as an example of how we as Christian women should be, and then I see ads on their blogs with half dressed women, or advocating birth control (that the blogger claims to be against) etc. It just shows me that the almighty dollar is worth more to them than their moral convictions. Ladies let's practice what we preach. If the advertisement is against what you say you believe then get rid of it. Doing things like this just makes all of us Christians look bad. No wonder people say the church is full of hypocrites. Stop it. 'Nuff said.

Our Trip - Part 2

So dedication day was bright and cheerful. As you can see Alaina was adorable and did well. It was so good to see old friends again and get a chance to hug and hold people who have meant so much to us. Made me homesick for a town I only lived in a short while.

Get Out The Vote '08

GET OUT THERE AND VOTE! DON'T FORGET! IF YOU DON'T VOTE YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMPLAIN! THIS IS YOUR BIG CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD SO GO TO IT!

Our Trip Part One

Ok. So, now that we are all healthy and happy and better rested, I can tell you about our trip. We left for the States to have baby Alaina dedicated and for her to get a chance to meet her grandmas. Once again, Alaina did quite well on the flights. We flew from Nurenberg to Paris to Atanta to Oklahoma. The Paris airport is a nightmare avoid it if at all possible. I wont go into all the details but the staff there doesn't know anything and they seem to like to send you on wild goose chases. When we got off the plane in Atlanta, the people around us were saying what a good baby Alaina is. They had been worried, as I might have been, when they got on a transatlantic flight and saw they were next to a baby. Once back in the States we had to go through another immigration snafu because the boarder patrol is not educated in their own paperwork. It's pretty bad when American citizens have trouble getting in to their own country because boarder patrol doesn't know what it's doing. Only one suitcase made it to Atlanta. When we arrived in Oklahoma we were so glad to be there and we were quite excited to see that Alaina's stroller and car seat had arrived as well as her suit case. Our suit cases had not arrived, but that's better than hers not showing up. We eventually got our suitcases the next afternoon. So we get to the hotel and we were sitting on our bed eating our Whataburger sandwiches when Alaina squeezed the carton the ketchup came in and it went all over the bed and her. White bed spread don't ya know. So, then of course the hotel had given away our crib even though we had a late check in scheduled and had called from Atlanta to assure it would be there. We had to put her on a fold away cot and my husband had the great idea to squeeze it in between the wall and our bed, and block it on one end with the easy chair and on the other end by keeping one end of the bed folded up. We had been up way over 24 hours at this point and so we all slept well. The next day was Saturday and we visited a former pastor and his wife and drove around town to see how things had changed since we had been there. By evening, all of our family had arrived that was coming and we all went out to eat. We ate and visited and played with the kids. More tomorrow