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Stone of Thanksgiving

11/25/2015

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PictureMy Stone of Thanksgiving. A physical reminder of all God has done. Crafted with Sharpie oil-based pen and Sculpey glaze.
​Sometimes I forget all that He’s done for me.  Other times, I forget to even give thanks.  But today, I want to pause and remember God for all that He has done this year.
 
This blog post has been on my heart for over a month, but I had to remind myself just yesterday that God has been so good to us through our adoption journey and shown Himself throughout it.  It’s when I start to forget that I begin to be burdened.  When the “blah” of life starts creeping in, I need a reminder like the Israelites had that will knock some sense into this forgetful head of mine.
 
I was inspired by the Book of Joshua to create my own stone of thanksgiving for the past year.  This stone is now a physical reminder of all that God has done.  You see, in Joshua chapter 1, Joshua is established as the new leader of the Israelites after Moses’s death and the Lord tells him to lead the people “into the land I am about to give to them” (verse 2, NIV).  The first step: cross the Jordan River at flood stage.


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What to Expect [When You’re Adopting Domestically]

11/20/2015

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I should preface with this: You can’t truly know what to expect in domestic adoption!  Praise God that He knows the plan, and the perfect plan at that.  Like the exiles in Babylon, we can trust that God knows the plans for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
 
You can expect every domestic adoption to be different.  Each agency, birthmom, and waiting family is unique.  I’ve learned so much in our adoption journey and I wanted to take some time to share with you on what can be expected in a domestic adoption and help prepare you for what is to come.
 
Starting the Domestic Adoption Journey
Before we chose an agency we did lots of research, mostly on-line, to find out more about adoption agencies.  Did they make promises that aren’t guaranteed? What did they stand for?  Were their fees online? 
 
I have to admit, choosing an agency was extremely overwhelming.  We chose ours because it was a Christian agency and that was priority because their mission aligned with ours.  It also came recommended from a friend who worked there which helped make this big decision much easier. 
 
To get started, our agency required a simple preliminary application with a small fee.  Nothing too crazy or time consuming, but would signal any red flags that we would not be a good fit with the agency.  (Some agencies have very specific requirements for waiting families such as number of years married.)
 
The Home Study
Leading up to the home study I felt overwhelmed because of what I read on-line. I’d see articles titled, “Surviving the Home Study,” and that doesn’t make anyone eager to go through it.  Y’all, it’s really not that bad.  Think of it as part of the labor pains of adoption; it’s not fun, but it’s going to lead to Baby. 
 
Our home study process was made up of three different components: Paperwork, Interviews, and Home Study.  It took about two months from the day we officially chose to pursue adoption to the time our home study was complete.  This is probably faster than most, but when Beth Burge feels compelled by the Good Lord to do something… watch out!
 
Here’s a list of what was involved in the home study process: 

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Be Still,

11/7/2015

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​I need frequent reminders to stop.  To pause.  To take it easy.  I’ve given Craig the power to hit my off switch if I get too out of control.  He’s had to use it more than once.
 
It’s a challenge to be still.  And even when my body stops moving my mind doesn’t want to slow down.  I think about work, the future, family, the grocery list, and lots of little things that have no importance.  Can I get an Amen?  With the adoption journey, there are many elements that can’t be controlled that keep my mind working. 
 
But oh, when the stillness sets in, even for a moment, what a relief.

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Pausing to Celebrate the Journey

11/1/2015

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Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses.
 
In any journey, I tend to have a strong focus on the end destination.  Get through college to get to the degree.  Get through the school year to get to summer.  Get through dating to get to the marriage.  In our adoption journey, it’s hard not to focus on our sweet precious Baby Burge that will come home one day.  Still, there is a need to recognize the journey that Craig and I are on and take time to stop and smell the roses. 
 
So how do I do this?  Pause to recognize the blessings in the journey and celebrate! 
 
Scripture is full of reminders to pause and celebrate.  In the story of Creation found in Genesis 1, even God pauses and repeatedly recognizes that what He created is good.  Beginning in Genesis 12, Abram (later Abraham) is called by God to leave his home and begin a journey.  The destination, he did not know.  Still, early on in that journey with God, Abram builds altars (see verse 7, 8, and Gen. 13:18) to God pausing to celebrate how He has provided and is providing on his journey.
 
I want to pause and celebrate too!

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    An Ephesians 1:5 Blog

    "In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." -Eph. 1:5 (NIV)
    Picture
    I am an adopted daughter of Christ sharing how God is at work as we grow our family through adoption.

    I pray that I can begin to express in words how God's been at work in our lives.  I pray that He will be glorified as we share with others.  I pray for you! I pray that as you read this you will see God at work in your own life and that  your relationship with Him will be blessed.  

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