The Father's Voice--Part 4--The Mother's Heart-Ache

Tonight, the heart of the mother aches.

Plans have been made to meet the father, and she made him aware she would contact him when they were done. The fluttering of her stomach began again as she called the father, calendar in hand, to discuss with him the dates of the summer. She heard his voice again, only it was his voice mail. He only spoke his last name.

She left a message for him to return her call. That was yesterday afternoon, and she's yet to hear from him. She has prayed and petitioned The Heavenly Father to speak to her earthly father. She has fear that her son will face rejection once again, something he's know too many times.

The son's words send the message that he's not concerned, but the mother's heart feels a different story. He has been quiet today, uninvolved. While he had earlier said it would be okay if his father didn't want to meet him, she was surprised when he asked if she had reached the father. When she told him she left a message, she wasn't concerned. Now, more than twenty-four hours later, she is.

Would you join her in prayer, prayer for the father, prayer for the son, prayer for peace? Would you pray that moving of the Holy Spirit on the heart of the father? would you pray that he come to know the Heavenly Father? Would you join the mother in asking the Father to do more than she could ask or imagine?

Wonder-Working, Awe-Inspiring, Jehovah-Jireh

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him; talk ye of all his wondrous works. Psalm 105:2
I posted a similar post on our family blog, but I must talk of HIS WONDROUS works again.

How can we put into words any description of the God we serve? And, yet, how can we sit quietly without talking of his wondrous works?

Josie-Tatum and I committed to the mission trip to South Africa just two months ago. I had no idea where the money would come from. I only knew that God was directing our path to the right people, the right place, all in HIS timing. I knew that God was speaking to my precious 6-year-old child when night after night she was praying for orphans, night after night she was asking God, "Please tell me and Mama where we can go so we can help orphans." I knew we were about the Father's work when her kindergarten teacher came to me to tell me, "Today, someone asked the classe what they would do if they have a million dollars. They all had some extravagant wishes. Then Josie-Tatum said, 'Well, if I had a million dollars, I could help a lot of orphans.'" God has given me a priceless gift, the gift of being Josie-Tatum's mother, the gift of guiding her in HIS plan for her life.

Yet, where would the money come from? Am I Doubting Thomas? Stepping out in faith, committing to the mission to South Africa, having no clue where the finances would come from, I am WAY out of my comfort zone.

After our committment, I was having a major Doubting Thomas day. It only took me a week to go from faith to worry. I had my prayer journal that morning, begging God to show me we were on the right path. I received an email as soon I got to work. The title was, "URGENT: CONTRIBUTION!" We had received our first contribution, and it was more than I ever would have imagined...immeasurably more. It was $900! It was from a dear friend I've never met personally, another mommy with a heart for orphans, one I've prayed for, one who had prayed for me. God was beginning to affirm our decision.

But, we had to pay for our airline tickets...with just the $900 to go towards them. Stan and I agreed that we would take nearly all of our savings to complete the purchase of the airline tickets for Josie-Tatum and me. I think his words were, "We've lived on less." We stepped out in faith, trusting that God would provide. But, like Martha, I had begun to think He was four days late.

We were beginning to see red.....and, while red is the color of celebration in China, our bank has a different perspective. Many had contributed, and, we were in the middle of a fundraiser, but two days before pay day, we were overdrawn at the bank. I knew we would rise above the surface in two days, catch up a little, buy some more time to make up for the $3,100 we had already paid out for airline tickets.

On payday, I went to our online banking screen to see where we stood. There was my check and Stan's check listed, as we have direct deposit. But, there was something wrong with Stan's check. It was $973 too much! No, not $9.73, but $973.00. I knew there must be a mistake. We are both state employees. We can neither one make over-time, etc. We work for a straight salary/contract amount. I waited all day, until after school to call him at the prison. (He's not a prisoner, BTW, he's an officer.) I told him what had happened.

One-and-a half hours later, he called back, "That money is ours!!!!!!!" He had so much comp time built up, and had so much unused sick time and annual leave, he was paid for his comp time, over-time, holiday pay, and days in training. Did you hear me shout? "Praise the LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

We all know Abraham was on the mountain, prepared to make a sacrifice I could never make, when God provided the sacrifice. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jirah, the LORD will Provide. God is continuing to provide for us...as long as we are willing to step out in faith, to trust him with every part of our being.

What inspiration He sends when I am living His word.

And, if I could share one more inspiration.

As Josie-Tatum and I have prayed that the LORD would provide for our trip, you may have read of the gifts from children, one who gave a dollar, one who gave five dollars. Josie-Tatum and I did discuss the fish and the loaves, how Jesus fed thousands with the small gift of a child.

And, isn't is just like God when that very night, after I put the little girls to bed, that same story was part of my daily Bible reading? How had I forgotten? They took up of the fragments that remained twelve full baskets!! God not only provided for the needs, he had left-overs. He spoke to my heart, that I should not expect Him to provide only the $6,000 for our mission trip, I should expect left-overs. We had learned that week that the cost of sending one orphan to the school at Build the Nations is $585 a year. I told Josie-Tatum we were going to expect at least $585 more than we asked for, so we could make sure one more orphan goes to school.

Today, I recieved a phone call...phone calls have the habit of being life-changing around here lately. It was from a distant relative, not even a Christian. He asked, "How much more do you need for your trip?" I shared with him that we need $1000 more to cover our expenses, but we are praying for $585 in addition, because we want to be able to send at least one orphan to school. And, do you know what he said. "I have some money coming on the 15th of next month. I'll make sure you have the money to send an orphan to school." Did you read that??????? God is using a man who is not serving Him to provide what we need so we can serve him. Isn't that awe-inspiring? Isn't that wonder-working?

We committed to the South Africa mission on March 23rd. It's just been 2 months, and God has already provided $5,000. That was $5,000 I had no clue, no hint of an idea of knowing how God would provide. Do you see those numbers? God has provided on average, more than $500 each week. Oh, dear friends, how he longs to share His riches with us.

When I am I going to live every day expecting to see the promises of Ephesians 3:20? When will I learn to look for him to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine? Will you join me in looking for the unimaginable?

A Father's Voice--Part 3

The tears began again today, for the mother. In church services, the soloist began to sing, "The Anchor Holds." The mother was sitting by her son, but felt drawn to the altar. As she knelt, the tears began to flow again. "Please let the anchor hold for our son," she prayed. "May he be strong, rooted and grounded in love, that as he meets his father his anchor will hold."

The family is planning to travel to meet the father. The dates are not certain yet, but they hope to travel together. The son asked, "What do I call him...Dad? Mr. ___?"
His mother said, "You call him by his first name." The son said, "You are my parents." The mother felt a sweet peace flood her soul.

The mother believes her son is somehow looking forward to the meeting, though she knows it will be awkward. He has brought it up several times today. "So, do I shake his hand...or give him a hug?" His mother said, "I think it would be appropriate to shake his hand. You don't usually hug a stranger, but you do what you feel comfortable doing."

The son said, "I could give him a high five. But, wait, I don't know anybody who left his girlfriend when she was pregnant. I don't think I would be friends with anybody like that."

Then later the son asked, "You are going to be with me when I meet him, aren't you? You're not going to leave me with him by myself, are you?"

The mother replied quickly, "Of course, we're going to be with you. For two reasons...#1 I know you'll be uncomfortable...but #2 I'm your mother. I want to be there with you, because that's waht mothers do."

The evening dinner table found the two of them sitting together, something that rarely happens. The rest of the family had finished eating, and they were alone. They talked about his past. The discussed life with his first guardians. They talked about his dad. That talked about how awkward a first meeting would be. The mother said, "Have you thought about this? Your father will likely be more uncomfortable than you are. You will have your family with you, and he will be alone. You've done nothing wrong. He has admitted his past mistakes. He will have guilt sitting with him."

The mother shared the sleepless nights she had during the week. The son said, "Really? I haven't lost sleep over someone who chose not to be part of my life for 18 years." But his mother said, "That's what mothers do. It's my job to worry about you." The mother is going to bed tonight. For the first time in a week, she thinks she is finally going to be able to sleep. She had such a sweet conversation with her son, truly one heart to another. It reminded her that her son is stronger than she realizes, yet willing to let her know he needs her! And, for that she is forever grateful.

Please continue to pray the inconceivable.

The Father's Voice--Part 2

The mother didn't shed any tears until the following day. When the busy-ness of the morning ceased, she had time to think. She began to think of the son's birth mom who had passed away when he was only 6 years old, who had missed so much of her son's life. She began to think of the biological father, who had missed every moment of his son's growing up years.

When the tears began, they seemed unending. Try as she might, she could not stop the flow. Why does life hold these heart-aches? What would her son's life have been life had the father accepted responsibility when his son was born, or later when he learned the birth mother was dying. And, then, if her son's life had been different, he never would have joined his current family. The adoptive mother loved him so.

At graduation, the tears were gone, replaced by the pride in all her son had become. There he was graduating in the top 10 percent of his class, honor student, Beta club member, on his way to the top university in the state. He sang the class song, he received his diploma, and when it was over he lifted his mother off the floor with a giant bear hug.

Then, today, her phone rang again...while walking the aisles at Wal-Mart. Again, she heard the voice of the birth father. He asked, "Is now a good time for me to talk with B?" She gave the father her son's phone number. Her last words to him were, "I'm praying for both of you." As soon as she ended the call, she stopped her grocery cart, nearly full of groceries. She bowed her head and began to pray. On a busy Saturday afternoon, many shoppers passed her by. She thought they might think her crazy, but prayer was much more important than their opinions. She called her sister and her parents and asked them to join her prayer.

Some would say that chance had it, that the father and son were not able to connect until the adoptive Mother made it home from shopping. The mother knows it was a God-incident. She would be there as he talked with his father, heard his voice for the first time.

The son was outside when his father called, and walked away from the house down the driveway. His mother kept her eye on him, watching for any signs of distress, or joy. Her son bounced a tennis ball while he talked. He paced. He circled. He talked. The conversation lasted longer than she thought it might.

What relief his mother felt, when her son came inside the house, and began to share his conversation. "It was weird," he said. His mother said, "Of course, it was. You were trying to hold a conversation with a stranger. Did he talk about your mother at all?" she asked. Her son replied, "No, and I didn't want him to. That would have made me mad. He left her. I don't want him to talk about her, as if he cared."

"I told him about myself," he said. "And he wants to meet. He said we could go to him, (hundreds of miles away) or he would come here. I told him I would talk with my family about it. He said he would discipline himself to write to me."

The son went about his day, washing his truck, going out with friends.

The mother was left at home with her thoughts. Then the phone rang again. This time a call from one of her son's previous guardians, once the best friend of her son's birth mother. She had abandoned him, too. As the previous guardian learned of her son's past 8 years of life, the mother held back the emotions she felt thinking of all of those who had abandoned her son. Near the end of the phone call, the previous guardian began to cry, "I am so sorry I left him," she said. "But I am so glad he's found your family. It seems like just the place he needed to be." As she continued to weep the mother found herself saying once again, "Our God's grace is sufficient to cover our weaknesses, and my son is a forgiving young man."

In one week, her son has two people from his past who want to meet him--the father he never met, and the birth-mom's friend who wants to catch up with him, both of whom likely need to make peace within themselves for their past failures. Please continue to pray for them all, the son, the biological father, the previous guardian, the adoptive mother, adoptive father. May there be wisdom in the home, may the son feel the love of his family so strong that he, too, is able to make peace with his past. May the LORD continue to do immeasurably more than his mother can ask or imagine in his life.

A Father's Voice

When the young man turned 18, he began to have more questions about his past. While his biological mother was no longer living, he questioned his adoptive mother about his biological father. She could not give him any answers, but promised to find out what she could.

Her love took her to a court house in small town, though newly remodeled, the smell of old wood filled the air. With the help of a court clerk, she poured through the thick file. While she had expected to find a name, she was taken by surprise to find an address.

When she arrived home, the mother shared with her son the address. "The chances that he still lives there are very small," she told her son. She went to the computer, though, and was further surprised to learn that the biological father still lived at the address that was close to 18 years old.

The young man wanted to send his father an invitation to his graduation, but his mother knew the contents were an invitation to be a part of his life. The young man had never seen his father, had never even seen a picture of him. When he sent the invitation, his mother requested permission to send a letter to the father, as well. "I just want him to know what an incredible young man you have grown to be--in spite of all of the hardships you faced until you joined our family."

The young man agreed to allow his mother to send the letter. She told his story, she told of the difficult days, and she told of his triumps....his honors, his awards. She included her phone number.

She sought the LORD, prayed diligently for the young man and his biological father. She considered Esther, and how Esther has asked many others to pray with her. These prayers softened the heart of the KING. She prayed the letter would find a softened heart, one that had once rejected the young man. She prayed that Jesus would pray for the young man as He has prayed for Peter, that his faith fail not.

And, then today, her phone rang. The mother thought of the Bible account of Doubting Thomas....when the story reads, "Then came Jesus." She began to tremble when he spoke his name. There was silence on the phone. She walked away from the crowd. The biological father and the adoptive mother were both at a loss for words.

The mother said, "You have been prayed for. I was awake last night praying for you."

The father said, "Thank you. Thank you for the letter. I received the graduation invitation, and I thought.....I knew this day would come. He is reaching out to me. I need to send him something. I thought of him all through the night while I was driving my truck. Then, I came home last night, and I found your letter."

Over and over again, the father expressed his gratitude. He shared how the son was a far better man that he. He admitted his failures, and, in his own way, asked for forgiveness.

The mother said, "God is a God of grace, and you have a forgiving son." (Wow, Jesus is THE FORGIVING SON."

The father said he'd like to meet his son. The mother was thrilled, but filled with mixed emotions. How would her son feel? She has heard her son's father's voice. He had never heard it.

Her son will hear his father's voice this weekend. Can you pray, while anticipating the inconceivable. Tonight, there is a family, a biological father, an adoptive father, an adoptive mother, and a son who would be forever grateful.

We serve an awesome God!
Robbie

Adoption----Inconceivable Transformations

I would suspect that most people who have visited this blog are adoptive parents, while the few who are not have been touched by adoption in one way or another. As I felt inspired to begin a new blog, I spent a lot of time thinking about our adoption of Josie-Tatum. Oh, how I prayed for her when we waited, before we even knew who she was. And, since the day she joined our family forever, God has absolutely transformed our lives immeasurably more than I asked or could have imagined.

When we were a family of four, waiting on Josie-Tatum, I never could have imagined we would one day be a family of seven.




After bringing Josie-Tatum home, I sometimes thought there might be another child for our family in China, but I never thought there was another child for us in China and another for us right here in our hometown. I never imagined that Brandon, the young boy who sometimes spent the night upstairs in my home would one day be MY son.



There are as many motivations for adoption as there are families who have adopted. For us, I had a burden for children in orphanages. Listening to the radio progam Focus on the Family, I learned of welfare institutions in China, full of babies in cribs who needed to be held and loved, where there were not enough adults to give the care they needed. After years of prayer, we felt our family could give LOVE to one of those children.

When I first saw this face.

I never could have imagined how much Josie-Tatum would bless me. One night, several weeks after coming home with her, I was lying with her in bed. She was "clapping" her feet saying, "Ma Ma Ma Ma," as she fell asleep. It was then it occurred to me, "I had thought she needed a mama. What I didn't realize was, I needed a baby."

I am sure, too, that the adoption of Josie-Tatum led us to adopt Ellie. And, Ellie brings joy wherever she goes. She is forever smiling, bubbling, bringing smiles to others. She cruises with walker with as much energy as any 4 year old. She surprises all who meet her with her tenacity, her innate ability to overcome obstacles with joy.




But, the most inconceivable transformation comes from Josie-Tatum herself. When we first committed to adoption, I could never have imagined praying nightly with a 6-year-old with a burden for orphans left behind. I never dreamed I would one day be traveling to South Africa with that precious little 14-month-old baby I met on a cold February day in China. Never did I think I would hear a little girl ask, "Mama, do you think there will ever be a day when there are no more orphans?" I could not have imagined the pride that would swell in my heart when that little girl would be asked at her kindergarten graduation, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" And, she would say, "When I grow up, I want to go all around the world helping orphans. I want to take people around the world and show them how they can help orphans."



So, if you'd like to meet this precious gift from our heavenly Father, take a peek at her blog. Pray that God will continue the Wondrous Works He has begun in her heart. Leave her some encouraging words, and join me in anticipating the inconceivable in her life!

Blessings,
Robbie

My Heavenly Father and My Earthly Father--update

I just learned that Brother Ronnie will be preaching nearby on Friday night. Our family will get the opportunity to visit with him!!!


This is my daddy with my baby girls.

I've shared some of my daddy's story on our family blog, but I think this is the most fabulous post to begin my new blog.

I have a wonderful daddy. I don't call him Dad or Father. He's always been Daddy. He came home from work everyday, and when I was little, pretended everday that he couldn't find my sister and me. We were always hiding behind the curtains in our HUGE...um, very tiny 10 ft x 50 ft mobile home.

I grew up with an awesome daddy, but he was an unsaved daddy.

Daddy grew up with a harsh step-father. Other family members have shared that Daddy learned he could only stay out of trouble by staying out the way. He would come home from school and go to his room. He rarely joined in family conversations.

This behavior followed him into his adult years. As I grew up, most of my friends were afraid of my daddy, only because he didn't talk. He was always there, watching television, reading the paper, or working on "projects" outside, but he didn't talk.

As I became a teenager, I started attending church with the neighbors. I was saved at the age of 15 and have since been an active member or the church where I was saved. I would regularly occasionally ask my daddy to church. He would always say, "No." Once he even said, rather sternly, "I have other things I'd rather do on Sunday." Something about the tone of his voice broke my heart AND kept me from asking him to church again for years.

After Whitney and Caleb were born, Mama started coming to church. Daddy would come...when the children were performing. When Daddy was 53 years old... and I was 31, our church started a revival with Ronnie Owens just before Christmas. I was surprised when Daddy showed up on Sunday morning. I was even more surprised to look over from our house while on my way to church Sunday night and see Daddy getting into the car with Mama.

Daddy attended church every night that week through Wednesday. On Wednesday night when the invitation was given, I knew the Holy Spirit was dealing with my daddy. I play the piano, and as I played, I began to tremble and cry. Only a person who has felt the Holy Spirit speak to them can know how I knew. I just knew. I began to cry so hard that the organist came over to the piano and asked if I needed him to play for me. After I told him no, and he walked away, I motioned for him to come back. I had cried so much I couldn't see the music anymore.

I went to the altar and prayed as fervently as I have ever prayed. "Jesus, please save my daddy." I had such a fear that if daddy didn't respond that night, the LORD might not deal with him again. But, Daddy didn't move, and the revival was over.

At the closing Brother Ronnie and our pastor said they felt the revival must go on one more night. Some were excited, but I had lost hope. Our family was leaving early Friday morning to spend Christmas at Disney World. Daddy had to get the campers ready. I knew he would not attend church on Thursday night. He had too much to do.

I spent Thursday quite depressed. After work, I went to see my mama, and my sister was there. They asked, "Are you going to church tonight?" Crazy question...I'm the pianist. But, I knew what they were going to say next. "Your daddy plans to make a public profession tonight."

My sister Bobbie is a dental hygienist. Daddy had gone to get his teeth cleaned on Thursday morning. As he sat in her chair, his hands began to tremble. He told her he was moved to be saved on Wednesday night. He then said he didn't go forward because he was afraid I would pass out! He wanted us to know before he went forward.

Daddy did go forward on that Thursday night, and he has been the most faithful member of our church since.

But, that's not the end of the story. The Ephesians 3:20 moment is...Daddy was forever changed! God changed him in ways that I never would have thought to ask, that I never could have imagined. Suddenly, I had a talkative daddy. The man who never spoke to my friends was busy frightening them again...this time because he WAS talking to them. Daddy is now a deacon in the church, church treasurer, and choir member. He is active in church dramas, goes on visitation, and shares his testimony. He prays long prayers....out loud...especially when you're hungry. ;) My Daddy is a living testament to Ephesians 3:20.

So, to any of you who are praying for your family members. Don't give up. Our God can do immeasurably more than we ask. And, when he does, we will give him ALL the glory!!!