Encouragement For The Adoption Journey

I've wanted to adopt since I knew there were orphans!  So this idea goes way back.  But with varying routines of life this summer, I've fallen off the wagon, you could say...  Or could you?  I have been a bit demotivated by circumstances.  In effort to restart the ole' adoption train, (which is the initial paperwork,) I borrowed a book called Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.  I don't usually read books by people married to somewhat famous people or about famous people unless it's a historical figure.  (She's married to singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman.) But I identify so much with this particular author-and the story, oh, the story...

Summary:  perfectionist mom (like me) comes to terms with the world-wide orphan crisis, (yes, keep going) adopts three girls from China.  In circumstances that could happen anywhere, her teenage-son, while driving in the family's driveway, doesn't see the five-year-old sister (oh, no!) as she runs up to the moving car (no, don't say it!) and parishes.  (Silence.) AND God's healing grace invades the family history over and over again, showcasing God's unimaginable ability to bring beauty from ashes.  (WOW!)

I know, right?  Makes you want to read it, doesn't it?!

I'm always looking for a redemptive thread to carry on the vision of The Katie De La Cruz Show...  Maybe Mary Beth will come talk to me on my show about adoptive families...  It's worth hoping for!
If you have an adoption or other redemption story, I'd be honored if you would share it with me!  Leave your comments below! Thank you!

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Adoption, Hope and the Party to Come!

I'm four days-out from visiting an orphanage in Guatemala.  The children, orphans are in my mind throughout the day now.  I've never been to an orphanage before but have always wanted to adopt.  There are so many reasons why I shouldn't adopt right now.  It will cost more money than I have, for one.  I have other children who need my attention.  I should wait until my radio show is making money.  And the list goes on.  But before I go all "Debbie Downer" on you, let me say that I shouldn't have gone to Guatemala for all those same reasons.  Yet the money came in, my kids joined in the fundraising and travel, and my radio show is steadily gaining both an audience and advertisers.

There are two reasons why I must choose to see the need for adoption.

Number One:  God loves me, father's me and sent his only son to die for me.  I'm adopted.  I'm his daughter.  He paid my ransom.  I am the spiritual orphan.  He made his son, Jesus Christ poor so that I will live and have riches in him.

Number Two:  Hearing this awesome news of my adoption, hearing how God-The-Father loves to bring spiritual orphans into his house, how can I ignore the state of poverty that orphans live in?  How can I not adopt, really?

I've started the research.  There's a local organization called "Hearts4Ghana" that has just been established to bring children "home" from an orphanage with as little Red Tape as possible.  Today, I plan to contact them.

A friend of mine, Wendy Twit said to me, "adoption is God's Plan A."

You don't have to believe in God to know that children need a home.  I will have to trust in God to make a home and grow our family.  And the promise I can rest in is that He is preparing a place for those who trust in him, and there will be a great party celebrating the homecoming of all God's adopted children!  As we walk by faith, our hope is not in vain.