The Journey

As you are probably aware, Tiffany and I are awaiting word for when we can go to China to bring Mia home. To say this has been a journey is an understatement! Since we filed our application and initial paperwork in January of 2014, we have been on a road of ups and downs, zigs and zags, and now find ourselves waiting until we get to travel.

The support we have received from friends, family, and complete strangers has been awe inspiring and humbling. From the time we made our official announcement, to the sales of the t-shirts Ethan designed, to the ongoing fundraising and baby showers, to the RACE for the Orphans, and simple random acts of kindness, people have rallied around our family in ways that can only be comprehended in light of God's grace. It has been nothing short of amazing!

While we are in this waiting phase and preparing to travel, Tiffany and I are beginning to learn more about the culture and area where Mia has spent the first 2+ years of her life. From the landscape to language, we are working to familiarize ourselves as best we can to help facilitate her transition to our family and an altogether different environment.

During my research and study, I discovered something intriguing about the Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Since one cannot perfectly translate the Chinese dialects into English, there is a nuance that seems to be missing. Based on what I have read about this proverb, it is probably more accurately translated, “A journey of a thousand miles begins before a single step.” The implied message being that before one can begin a journey, he or she must decide from a position of stillness that this is the journey to take.

As I reflect over that proverb, the simple addition of the word, before, is truly significant. From the moment when Tiffany and I separately felt God calling us to this, through the stages when we were busy reading, writing, and attending classes, and even through the waiting periods similar to what we are experiencing now, we each have that sense that we are called to this journey. This has helped motivate us when we were overwhelmed with things to do, as well as keep us focused during the times when all we can do is wait.

God has called each and every one of us to some form of journey in our lives. The individual burdens and passions we bear are what reveals to us the ministry God has called us to in order to serve the world. This ministry/journey is not merely for the ordained or the vocational Christians, but each and every one who professes faith in Christ. Think of Jesus telling Peter he was going to teach him to fish for people…this is the essence of using our lives in service to God.

Where are you in your journey? Are you standing still, waiting on a word from God as to where to go? Have you already begun your journey and see yourself actively working to serve God by serving others? Or are you perhaps in a transitional period where you might be shifting gears or changing lanes? May we continue our journey with faith and perseverance, regardless of how far along we are or how much farther we still have to go. We might be standing still waiting to take that first step, or somewhere between miles 1 and 1,000, but through it all, we can be bold and courageous because God is with us and promises never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

May we all press on in our journeys...the ones we have been called to for the cause of Jesus Christ! I thank you for being such an integral part of our journey, and I’m eager to see where it takes us next.

See you along the road,

While I'm Waiting

Perhaps you heard that we have experienced a bit of a delay in our adoption process. Nothing bad has happened, but after the Chinese government made some changes in international adoption policies and procedures, our original travel target of April or May has been pushed to August or September. Initially this felt like a kick in the gut since we put so much emphasis on the spring timetable, but hindsight being what it is, we see God's hand all over us.

Waiting typically isn't easy, is it? We don't like waiting in line, waiting in traffic, or waiting for someone who is running late for an appointment. When forced to wait we can get anxious, look around to see if anyone else is moving at a pace we'd rather be moving, or even begin to wonder if we are at the right place at the right time. Waiting isn't easy, but some pretty special things can happen in the time we are forced to wait if we open ourselves to the possibilities and God's presence with us through the process. Keeping our eyes and heart open to what God wants to do with, in, and for us can help to mitigate the fatigue and frustration we undoubtedly will experience while we wait.

Isaiah 40:28-31 is perhaps the most well known passage that provides guidance for us in the times we are forced to wait: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (NKJV)

Interestingly enough, the RACE for the Orphans we participated in, and received a generous adoption grant thanks to everyone who supported the cause, came shortly after we realized that we were going to have to wait a little longer to bring Mia home. It was good medicine for my body and soul as I participated in my first official race. I started off strong, but must admit that I did get tired and thought about walking the remainder of the route just past the second mile mark. Something came over me, though, as I started thinking and celebrating through prayer not only why I was running, but also why I was waiting. Reorienting my thoughts gave me the perspective I needed to channel that inner strength to finish the race and continue to wait with purpose and perseverance. After the race, I was tired and sweaty, but exuberant.

Tiffany and I were afforded the opportunity to meet Christian recording artist John Waller, who was there to perform at the event. As an adoptive father himself, Waller was very interested in our story and he offered his support for the rest of the journey. He asked where we were in the process, and I led off with the fact that our timeline had been pushed back a few months, and he acknowledged that waiting can often be the hardest part. He told Tiffany and me that he would sing his hit song, “While I'm Waiting,” in our honor and as a prayer for us to be faithful to God while we wait.

Honesty, I had heard the song quite a bit, but the lyrics for the chorus struck me in a way they never had before: “While I'm waiting, I will serve You; while I'm waiting, I will worship; while I'm waiting, I will not faint, I'll be running the race, even while I wait.” That last phrase — I'll be running the race, even while I wait — proved to be so inspirational to me after running my first official race while waiting for the word to travel to bring Mia home. It brought the Isaiah passage into the forefront of my consciousness to remind me that waiting is not always a bad thing.

BIG things have happened in the midst of our waiting since that morning in early May. Even though I have gotten fatigued and frustrated with things not going my way, I can clearly see the work that God is doing in our adoption journey, in my family, and in my heart. Admittedly it feels like I'm running uphill at times, but there is power in continuing to serve and worship God in the midst of waiting. So now as we (hopefully) make the turn toward the last leg in this waiting process, I am bearing down to channel that inner strength, and prayerfully celebrate all God has done, is doing, and promises to do for us in order to finish the race. That way, when the time comes to board the plane and soar across the world on wings like eagles, I will not be weary, but rather empowered by our omnipotent God. I might be a sweaty mess by the time we get there, but I know I will be stronger for it.