That is the question people most like to ask us when they find out that this family, who already has 3 boys, is adopting. We really get some quizzical looks when they find out we are adopting 2 more BOYS. Well, it is the favorite question people like to ask and it is my favorite question to answer. The "why" we are adopting is this. That we, Mark and I, individually, were adopted. You see, we were adopted into God's family of grace by way of the cross. We were orphaned by our sin. Jesus Christ rescued us from hopelessness and darkness, gave us new names, made us sons and daughters, fellow heirs. So now, we are living out in our lives, not just in our minds and hearts, but in our actions, this picture. I am both humbled and in awe of being a part of something so powerful as living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So...but, how did you come to that decision? "Survey says" that is the next question we get. Like, what did making that decision look like in our lives. Most of the time I think people expect some deep, soul stirring answer telling about a time with a divine encounter that called us to cross an ocean and rescue orphans. You know, it just wasn't that spectacular. Our pastor, in the faithful preaching and teaching of the word, set the mandate from James 1:27 before us. Then we began asking ourselves, well, what about us? We went through all the reasons to adopt and all the reasons not to. The reasons not to, just weren't good enough. The reasons not to mostly stemmed from, as Mark would say, our selfishness. Reasons like wanting to hang on to onto time, money, comforts. The desire for a life of ease, that our flesh tells us we deserve. But if we were created to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever", then all of our time, money and resources are His to bring Him glory. No greater joy in life than living what we were created to do. So, yeh, we just couldn't find a "why not to" that was good enough.
Lastly, is... so, why adopt boys? Don't you want a girl? Well, that is simple. My gosh, what would we do with a girl? (I am actually quoting my boys here). There is not a lampshade in my house that is not crooked or a picture that is straight. We have tons of smelly shoes in the "shoe closet" by the door, learned the art of paneling over holes in walls, and always have someone who is hungry (thank you teen years). A typical day is full of spills and thrills. Summers, Mark can come home to a house full of 10-12 boys as the neighborhood gathers (yes, we have mostly boys on the street too!) and cousins and friends arrive. Its like the house moves with the action and we are accustomed to noise. All this, and we absolutely LOVE it. Counts us blessed... yes, yes, very very blessed.
