"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes."
It's been a while since we posted...Zeke is more fun than working on our blog. We are still waiting for the finalization of Zeke's adoption (which is why we aren't allowed to post pics yet, but hopefully in the next few months). If there is one word that could describe the last 10 months of our lives it would be JOY. Zeke is an absolute joy and delight. Sarah Young says this in regards to Abraham and Sarah, "[They] had to wait many years for the fulfillment of [God's] promise, a son. How their long wait intensified their enjoyment of this child!" We're thankful we didn't have to wait as long as they did, but even in our 7+ years of waiting we find ourselves experiencing the same intense joy. Children TRULY are a blessing from the Lord.
Zeke is now 10 months old and we feel God's stirring us to "enlarge the place of our tent" (to begin the adoption process again). We've secretly been having this conversation since the day after we brought Zeke home. The beginning stages of adoption are like any new endeavor; more unknowns than knowns and more questions than answers. The few things we do know are the following:
- God is calling us to adopt again
- He's leading us to adopt from South Africa
- We will work with Bethany Christian Services
- Our child will most likely be 1-3 years old
- This will be a 2-3 year process
- Upon referral we will be in South Africa for 5-6 weeks (w/ Zeke)
- God will PROVIDE again for every need!
Again we find ourselves at a place where God has to come through because we cannot do this on our own. We look at the task before us and are COMPLETELY UNABLE to accomplish this on our own. As with the last adoption, we find ourselves stepping out in faith knowing that if God isn't in this, it simply won't happen. We are encouraged by the words "what is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27) and by the facts that the Lord cares for the orphans and He funds what He favors. This actually isn't about Kat and Isaiah building a larger family...it's about the Lord being glorified and ultimately showing a picture of the way He went through great lengths and paid a great price to bring humanity into His family. Now that we have Zeke we know that NO PRICE is TOO GREAT, no paperwork is too cumbersome, no wait is too long, and we would do it all over again to have him as our son. If we, as faulty humans, can love this much, how much greater is the Father's perfect love for us, His children!?
So we would love your prayers for the next steps:
- Second application
- Home-study
- Raising funds ($40,000-$44,000)
- The birth mom
- Protection for our child in the midst of their circumstances
Our community has been so consistent in caring for us and being so generous...we're SO thankful and overwhelmed by your love. Be on the lookout for the new South African Minus One logo, new t-shirts, and more opportunities to support and pray.
With much love and great anticipation,
The Whelpleys
