Eli Matthew Franklin

We have been praying about a name for our child and have finally settled on Eli Matthew Franklin.  It's amazing to hear my children pray for their brother, Eli.  Something in my heart just melts when they utter his name.  Often times it's just in passing from them..."I wonder if Eli will like playing in the snow?", or intentional prayers, "I pray that Eli is ready to come home." 

  

Eli playing with a turtle!

Sam is going through a phase where he notices when people and even animals are by themselves.  He saw a bird flying solo in our backyard and commented, "they looking for they family."  He saw a baby sitting in a baby carrier at school and his mother was about 20 yards away.  Sam only saw that there was a baby with nobody close by.  He said, "Mama, why he not have a family?"  I showed him where the baby's mama was, but he was worried about this baby.  At first, I thought it was sweet that he didn't realize that of course, this baby wasn't left here without a mother.  Then, a sadness hit me...that my 4 year old would be burdened by the sight of children and animals away from their family.  I think he understands that God designed us for family. Sam has been praying some sweet prayers on behalf of so many waiting boys in China.  He prays every night that "everybody will get a new brother."  I like his boldness!  Of course, he also prayed that his new brother would have his "own" toys.  Ha!  I mean, really...who wants to share toys?  Sam seems to be understanding a little more about the reality that he will be a big brother.  Sam and Eli will be 8 months apart and I anticipate great joy and struggles.  I pray that they will have a great bond and become best friends.

We can see that God is preparing all of our hearts and we are praying that He will prepare Eli to join our family.  It's so hard to stare at a face and long for him to be home, but I trust in God's perfect timing.  I know there is much work to do in our hearts to be prepared.  Eli Matthew Franklin, you are greatly loved and prayed for daily!!!  We can't wait for you to come home and play in the snow with you!!!

Here we go again!!! Ready, set, SLOW!

Well, here we go again!  After many months of prayer for direction for our family, Jon and I both felt the calling.  So, we answered the call and are in the process of adopting from China again.  We have completed our home study and our paperwork is at immigration.  We are headed to get our biometric fingerprints soon and then after immigration approval our paperwork will be off to China!  We aren't sure of a timeline for that to happen...which leads me to this...

When we began this journey several months ago, I prayed that I would not be consumed with the adoption process like I was the first time.  I apologize to everyone who had to endure me whining and complaining over documents that you had never heard of, timelines that didn't match up to mine, and countless other issues dealing with our first adoption.  I confess, I was crazy and controlling.  Thank you, Captain Obvious!!!  This time I have prayed that I would just relax in God's goodness and perfect timing as He orchestrates this amazing story.  I can honestly say that there have been moments that I've been successful, and others that I've slipped back to my controlling ways.  All I need to do is take a glance at Sam to realize how perfectly God works.

I feel like God has been showing me a common thread in my life lately...SLOW DOWN.  Recently, at our youth retreat, the weekend theme was walking in the will of God.  I was reminded that we must crucify our will in order to walk in His.  It is not always comfortable to walk in His will, BUT it is GOOD!  God is calling me to slow down, to let go of some things that I hold too tightly.  Some of these things are tangible, some not.  I am a work in progress, but I trust that He will complete this work that He has begun.  I want to climb this mountain with my hands wide open!