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| We're Adopting!! |
We're excited to announce that it is our hope and prayer to add to our family through adoption.
The process can be long and the timeframe is unsure,
But we are officially a waiting family!
We appreciate your love, prayers,and support as we begin this exciting journey!
It all began actually many years ago, but has now become a reality. At the beginning of our marriage almost 9 years ago, we had a plan as to what we "wanted" our life to be like, but yet God had better plans in store. We quickly learned our plan was not God's plan and He began to show us things that we could have never expected. Early in our marriage, God put on Ginny's heart a desire to adopt children, especially after seeing the conditions and circumstances of her inner city students she taught in Richmond. Ginny would mention bringing children home jokingly to Chip, but he was not at that point yet. Yet she hoped that one day down the road his heart would be open to adoption. Fast forward a few years to where we are today...
Chip is nearing the end of his seminary career, these past couple of years have flown by and we are just amazed at the grace God has shown us here in Raleigh. Through strong discipleship and community at Imago Dei Church, we have seen great growth in our understanding of the Gospel. Not just in knowledge, but understanding how to live it out practically as well.
Our first few months in Raleigh, we were studying the book of Galatians at Imago Dei and the passage from Galatians 4:4-5 that states, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." On the ride home, we began to discuss the sermon and began to process that we were once without a father and God who is rich in mercy and loved us despite our sin, adopted us into his family through faith in Christ. It was then that Chip made the connection through the sermon that adoption was an awesome display of the Gospel. Yet during the next 5 to 6 months, he was processing that in his heart. Mentioning it over and and over again to Ginny who could see God's hand at work in Chip's heart...
We have come to understand that our Adoption journey is not because of a biological issue, but a theological one. It is a command that God gives "to care for the orphan" whether that is physically, prayerfully, or financially. Since we are to bear His image and be imitators of Him, the One who cares for the fatherless, we have been convicted to uphold this truth and bring God glory through a real life illustration of the Gospel. It shows us how God transforms spiritual orphans into family members. He changes our names, identities, and families by His grace. It is our desire to be obedient to him and to physically do for a child who has no hope and give them the hope that has been given to us.
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:4-5
After much prayer, we said let's quit talking about it, and "DO something." We were ready to make the step...
Not knowing our circumstances for our future after Chip graduates made it difficult for us to commit to certain countries as the length of stay ranges from 40 days to months at a time. We recently have felt the call to China, but there are many hurdles we must pass, the biggest, the financial. We are totally stepping out on faith and trusting God to provide. We know we can not do this alone, so therefore we are asking our friends and family to prayerfully consider how they can help. Whether it is committing to pray for us or finding financial ways to give.
If you would like to help out financially, please use the youcaring.com link on the right side of this page. The paypal account is linked directly to our checking account we will be using for the adoption fees. We look forward to see how God blesses us through this journey.
Wow! This past week we were OVERWHELMED with the love and support shown to us by the staff at my school. My team member and dear friend, Christianne decided to take on an Ornament Fundraiser and we began making custom ornaments to sell. I thought we would make around 100 bucks, but little did I know, they collected $715 as of today. If they donated $20 they got to come to a mini concert by our own Mrs. Mangus who has an amazing voice! The generosity and support of the GHE staff is amazing. I am so blessed to work with these people and call them family. We continue to be amazed at how God is providing in mighty ways for this process.
