This is our journey of the unexpected adoption of a princess with Down syndrome waiting for us in China making us a family of 7!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Will You Say Yes?

"Your life was designed for far more than just the accumulation of things or the accomplishment of daily tasks. You were created for an adventure of trust. The adventure begins by letting go, taking a leap of faith and saying YES to the God who deeply loves you." ~Kay Warren 

"You have a plan for the rest of your life. God has a plan for the rest of your life. Are they the same? What if God’s plan for your life is far bigger, far more risky, and far more fulfilling than what you had planned?" 
~Kay Warren 

"Sometimes God will call you to do a work – a work that He has planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). You may not want to do it. You may feel that you are not smart enough, talented enough, strong enough, or bold enough. You may even argue with God like Moses did (Exodus 3-4). You may laugh at God like Sarah did (Genesis 18:12). But if you obey God and depend on Him to work through you, amazing things will happen. People will be blessed. You will be blessed. You may never know the people who are changed by your obedience to speak a word, to lend a hand, or to give a hug. You may never know the lives that are impacted by your obedience to do what God has called you to do. But know this. There will be abundant fruit with your name on it – if you choose to obey." ~Sharon Jaynes

When I think about this adoption process the ways I have been blessed, because we said YES to God, is sometimes overwhelming.  At first, naturally, I didn't really want to say yes.  "We cannot afford another adoption" and "A child with Down syndrome?" were a couple thoughts that ran through my head constantly.  But the more God spoke to me, the easier it was to take the leap and say YES once again.  

Although this is our third China adoption, this process has been totally different than any of the others.  The costs to adopt have increased over the years but I have had such peace and faith that God would be the provider of everything we need.  And boy has He shown up!  We have been blessed tremendously by the love of others who have sacrificed and donated towards bringing Karsynn home.  We have had random amounts of extra money in our bank account after paying our bills that we were able to use for the adoption.  And the thing I am most excited about are my necklaces and Handmade Hope.  Thanks to Matt and Paul, this has been such a huge blessing (a lot of work but a huge blessing) not only to us but to other families adopting as well!  It has been so fun to see it grow and to be able to help other families and organizations raise money as well.  I am very much looking forward to coming home and being able to pick an organization or family each month to donate proceeds to and bless.  It has truly been amazing and I couldn't have done it without the many people who have helped get it going and who have shared with their friends and family! We have also been blessed with a couple adoption grants and I truly believe that God has used my past hurts and how He has turned them into our amazing story to help us earn these grants (we had to write letters with our applications).  Because of all these things, we have been able to pay every fee due and are just a few thousand (out of the, I don't even know, like $28,000 it costs to adopt from China)!  Only God can do such a thing! Are the costs of adopting holding you back from doing so? DON'T LET IT!


Saying YES to God this adoption has also introduced me to so, so many new friends!  I have absolutely LOVED "meeting" these new friends, watching their own adoption processes, and learning about them and their families.  The Down syndrome community has been very welcoming and so helpful to answer any questions and it has been so neat to see all the families stepping up to adopt these wonderful children.  Being involved in these circles has also allowed me to use my past and story to counsel a couple women who learned their child has Down syndrome and were considering aborting.  These women I didn't even know personally, but what a huge blessing!  

I have such an overwhelming sense of peace with this adoption (unlike any before) and I cannot wait to get on that plane to China (even though I am TERRIFIED of flying!)!  I am so excited to meet our girl and learn all about her. I know without a doubt she will impact our family, those around us, and the world...and the blessings of saying YES to God will only continue!  We are waiting to get official approval from China and from that point it is an average of 8-10 weeks till travel!  The country of China is, of course, closed from October 1st through 7th.  There is a very slight possibility (miracle, really) we could travel in September before the closure but it will most likely be right after the closure.  So it's coming quickly!



Is there something God is asking you to say YES to?  You can say "no" because He doesn't force you to say "yes".  You can say "maybe some other time" or "maybe in a couple years when my bills are paid off" or "how about you ask me to do something else God?"  The answer most pleasing to God has got to be "YES"!  Will it be risky? Yes.  Will it require sacrifice?  Most likely.  Will it be scary?  Often.  Will it be worth it?  YES!  Don't wait, you'll be amazed at what He accomplishes! 

If you feel inclined to help get us fully funded, you can click the Reece's Rainbow link to the right of here (the one with Karsynn's picture on it) and donate or we still have about $1000 left on our matching grant (contact me if you want information on donating towards that). Thank you for the continued support and prayers for our journey.  You all mean the world to us! 





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