Friday, December 17, 2010

3 Months...Counting Down to Caroline!


Today, December 17, 2010, marks exactly 3 months of being on the waitlist for our baby girl in Ethiopia...Caroline Faith.

My heart is full to the point of overflowing, so here it is...

Last night, we had the opportunity to be interviewed for a video that our church will be showing on a Sunday at the first of the year about "caring for the fatherless".

The fact that we will have an entire Sunday dedicated to "caring for the fatherless" is such a huge God-thing, I am overwhelmed. I am already praying that God will use this to call our church to love and care for orphans...and bring them HOME!

Well, I can't share our story without crying. It's impossible. There is just so much emotion involved in this beautiful, God-ordained adoption journey, and my love for Caroline is so strong, the tears ALWAYS flow. In fact, they're in my eyes right now.

I pray that God will use my feeble, tear-filled, Southern drawled words to bring glory to His name. They interviewed several other members of our church, and they are going to compile our interviews into one video.

Here's my heart on this...

God is calling His people to care for the orphan, the widow, the poor, the needy, the oppressed...the "least of these". He is calling His church to rise up, step out of our comfort zones, and have faith to follow Him wherever He leads.

Will it be easy? No way.

Will it will convenient? Absolutely not.

Will it be popular? Nope.

What will it require? Everything.

In Luke 14:33, Jesus says, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up EVERYTHING you have cannot be my disciples."

But here's what I'm learning along the journey. Giving up everything to follow Christ is really the only way to do it. Nothing else in this world satisfies. And the story that He writes is so beautiful and fulfilling...and worth it.

Caroline Faith, you are a beautiful part of God's story. I thank Him everyday that He called us to bring you home. You are meant to be a part of our family. Just like I held your brother and sisters in my womb, I hold you in my heart. Silently yearning for the day you're in our arms. We will wait as long as it takes to bring you home. God has called us to you, and He will be faithful to complete this journey.

Hold on, baby girl. We love you, and we're coming soon.

10 comments:

Go and Tell said...

so so sweet! Ya'll have a merry Christmas, Alison, and maybe next year you'll have Caroline Faith with you, too!! :)

Polly said...

How exciting Alison, that your church is promoting a life of radical obedience. Too many churches are preaching a best life now message and that is NOT what the early church looked like. Nor, is it what being a follower of Christ should resemble. I'm so thankful for churches like yours.... I pray that WE the church get this message NOW!

Meredith said...

3 things. First, when I saw the big 3 in my blog roll I almost fell off the couch thinking that somehow you made it up to #3 on the list so quickly :) Two, I love, love, love that your church is dedicating a Sunday to the fatherless. I also can't wait to hear more about this outlive your life! And 3, well I guess it was just 2! Have a blessed weekend!

Kelly Jo said...

3 months down...woohoooooo!!

The Nelsons said...

I could not read that without crying. This is such a beautiful picture of the love of Christ for us- His adopted children!
Thank you for sharing your heart Alison!

Kelli said...

3 months down... wow! 3 months closer to Caroline Faith.

Merry Christmas.

Kelly Johnson said...

Alison, I love hearing your heart on this...and I know everyone else will too (southern accent and all). Congrats on 3 months down, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Mama Mimi said...

I don't like how I sound on video either. Hopefully you will have a great interviewer who will make you feel relaxed. May God speak through you and transform hearts to care for the fatherless!

Abby said...

3 months down..wahoo!!! Thats great:) Do you think you could put the video on your blog when its finished?? That would be so cool.

Elisabeth said...

I love how you love her so much. I feel exactly the same way about our leah. And so neat your church is doing the video, I am sure your message will be heard. (His message!)