Scott and Haley adopted Eden from China as an aging out child with Down Syndrome through Lifeline Children's Services
Okay, you're going to have to indulge me for a minute. I've posted about this recently, but I have to share in greater detail. Three years ago, I was terrified at what I felt God was calling our family to - the adoption of a child with Down Syndrome. All I could think about was the challenges that would come with raising a child with a cognitive developmental delay. I resisted and resisted until one day three years ago I was on a hike by myself in North Carolina asking God, "Is this what you want for my life?" It was a strenuous hike that took awhile. I made it to the top and was overwhelmed by the beautiful waterfall and surrounding area and thanked God for such a beautiful reminder of his creation, but still didn't hear a response to my question. I headed back down and when I got to the bottom I thought to myself, "I guess I won't hear from God today." I then passed a couple getting started on the hike and they asked, "Is it worth the hike?" I quickly responded, "Absolutely! Wait till you get to the end. The view is amazing!"
I got three steps past them and stopped dead in my tracks as I heard God whisper, "There's your answer. Wait till you get to the end. It's going to be amazing. It's going to be hard. It's going to be strenuous. It's going to take a toll. But. Just. Wait. You are going to be AMAZED."
Today, I stand amazed at what God has done.
He knew a little girl, cared for yes, but unknown by the world. He knew what she could become. He knew her beauty. He just needed someone to come and give her everything she needed to grow into the beauty He had created.
He has taken this little thing and made a BIG DEAL out of her. She is not forgotten. She's on the front page of the US Tennis Association - Florida website, for Pete's sake! http://bit.ly/28RIz28
I don't normally get "preachy" but I can't help it. Folks, this is my Father in Heaven. He is my daddy, my "Abba Father". Just as much as he saw Eden and knew what she could become if she just had someone to love her and call her their own, he sees you and loves you and wants to make a BIG DEAL about how much he loves you. I hope you know that.
And if you know that, what "hike" is he asking you to take? Whatever it is, I guarantee you it's going to be worth it. Just you wait.
Lifeline Children’s Services is a full-service adoption and orphan care ministry, serving families and children in the United States and around the globe. We began as a domestic adoption ministry, caring for women walking through unplanned and often crisis pregnancies. By God’s grace, Lifeline has since grown in ways we never could have imagined.
We thank the Lord for the 1,000 children Lifeline has placed into forever families domestically. International Adoption Lifeline began responding to the needs of orphans internationally in 1999 and currently has 20 country programs.
At Lifeline, we believe that adoption is a way that God gives families to vulnerable children who need to know the love of a family and the love of Christ. Our desire is to walk alongside missional families on their adoption journey and to provide necessary resources as they love, nurture, and disciple their children through the love of Christ.
We love to partner with families who see the big picture of adoption as part of God’s redemptive purpose in the world through the gospel and the personal picture of adoption as God’s divine work to set the lonely in families.
