"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Thursday, May 1, 2008

And now for the rest of the story. (Part III)

"...We left church and headed home. I was chomping at the bit to see if God had hit Scott over the head with a lightning bolt, but as he drove he still did not comment. I bit my tongue and refrained from asking. We went home, had dinner and called it a night. "

Three nights later, I found myself needing to know what his thoughts were. I again prayed. Actually, I told God that I knew I should just shut up and wait, but I couldn't wait any longer. So, I went into the bedroom where Scott was laying watching his "late show", Family Man. Most nights, he hands the remote over to me as soon as the show is over, kisses me goodnight and goes to sleep. So, I patiently sat and pretended to watch the show (which he knows I hate anyways).

When it was over, as expected, he gave me the remote and my kiss goodnight. This time instead of saying goodnight, I said, "Can we talk?" I think he knew it was coming. It was just a matter of time. I'm really surprised and impressed that I held off that long.

He said, "Sure." I asked him if he's been praying about what I had mentioned and he said, "Yes, every day." I then said, "And?" (My husband sometimes has this way of making me feel like I am pulling teeth, but you gotta love him.) He then said, "I've thought about it, about the children in Africa, about how blessed we are and yes, if it is God's will for us to bring home another child, then so be it. You are right. We have so many luxuries and so much, I agree that it's what Jesus would want us to do and I want to be obedient to His calling."

I was so taken back that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The only words I could utter were (since at that moment fear struck me like a bolt of lightening at the thought that now we may indeed be bringing home another little one) "You know, this doesn't mean that we have to adopt, or that we will. It just means that we are both 150% in agreement that if it is God's will and he provides for us to clear our debts and somehow come up with the money for another adoption, we will bring home a son." He said, "Yes! That's exactly what it means."

WOW!!!!!! Isn't God amazing? I guess that's why he's God. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that Scott would ever agree to another adoption. Never. Ever. Ever. Yet, here he was. Just weeks after I began praying, right next to me saying, "Lord, may your will be done."

The following day is when I posted THIS PICTURE on the blog. That day we had taken a long walk through the park. We had a great time with the new camera. I distinctly remember coming home and we were viewing all the pictures that I had taken with the new camera. When I got to the picture I mentioned above, I said "Wouldn't an African little boy standing between you and I make this picture perfect?" Scott chuckled at me and said, "Yes, he would!"

So, that's where we stand right now. Both Scott and I are 100% open to another adoption. We would love to bring home a toddler boy from West Africa. Is it written in stone that it's going to happen? No, because we don't know if those are God's plans. But, what we do know is that He has changed both our hearts and opened them wider than either one of us ever expected. Now we just need him to open the doors and provide. We serve a very, mighty God and I know NOTHING is impossible with him. I have to stand firm in my faith that it will happen if it's according to His will.

Scott and I have discussed how the bible tells us about Abraham and Sarah and how they waited so many years for their promised son. And then, God tested Abraham by asking him to give up the very son that was the answer to his prayers. It was what I would believe to be the ultimate test of faith. Abraham had to trust God with every fiber of his being as he was building that altar and laying his son atop of the wood.

I'm not saying we are anywhere close to what Abraham was going to sacrifice. But, we are both as one flesh, uniting in our faith and proclaiming that we will trust our God to the end with that same non-waivering faith. It's very hard to not ever waiver, especially when there are obstacles placed before you such as finances. But, we also know that through our weaknesses and our trials, is when our faith grows the most. When we are weak, we are strong.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - II Corinthians 12:10

He has led us to the path, and now we must follow. His will is our greatest desire and we look forward to seeing where the journey takes us. Actually, both Scott and I are hoping that the journey indeed takes us across the world one more time. This time to Africa.

(For the record: Tonight as I was typing this, I turned to Scott and said, "We're still on track to adopt from Africa if God provides, correct?" He looked at me, sighed, and said, "Yep!" with a smile!)
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13 comments :

Waitingfaithfully said...

Ohilda,

Thank you for "the rest of the story"! All I can say is WOW! I have a feeling one more little boy is going to find his way into a very special family!

"The fruit of our placing all things in His hands is the presence of His peace in our hearts." Hannah Whitall Smith

May He give you peace on the journey, as you place all things in His loving hands!

Blessings~

Tina

Anonymous said...

O,
We are so excited and happy for you!! We can't wait to hear news of your newest son!

boltefamily said...

What a beautful blog!

Aus said...

Oh guys - Scott - you are one hell of a guy - and I know that sigh!! Ohilda - great Faith leads to great things - regardless of the outcome!

Both ya'll - I kinda predicted this outcome yesterday....the big give away was your tone of voice being so light - but don't ya'll dare punish us like this again!! (this is where I'd put in my smile icon but the HTML tags block it!)

Great Joy for you in the Ausdenmoore home - Keep the Faith during your journey - and Blessings on your house!

aus and family

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for share your life straight from the heart.....

I am so looking forward to your journey!!!

Keep the entries coming.

Tracey and family

Mom 2 six said...

How wonderful. Never-say-never is all I can say. :)
I will keep your family in our prayers.

A Crystal Garden said...

So exciting! This is the second time in just two days I have heard about Liberian adoption. A lady who is waiting to adopt from China had a bracelet made with her one day daughter's name on it. She just emailed me for another because they are doing a concurrent adoption from Liberia. She wanted the her daughter's name on it with the Liberian flag colors. Hmm... maybe I should be looking into it. :o)

geminirn said...

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME........IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME...LOL!!!!!I JUSTCAUGHT UP WITH YOUR LAST FEW POST AND I MUST SAY MY DEAR THIS NEWS CAME AS NO SURPRISE...hehe!!OH I JUST CANNOT WAIT TO HEAR AND WATCH THIS NEXT JOURNEY UNRAVEL,BIGGEST HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!

Ruth said...

I pray that God will fling the door wide open for this to happen!!!
It gives me hope that my dh could change his mind as well! I grew up in Africa and part of me is still there!

Janette said...

"It just means that we are both 150%in agreement that if it is God's will and he provides for us to clear our debts and somehow come up with the money for another adoption, we will bring home a son."

I will pray that your statement above falls into place so that one more child can join your happy family and experience the love that you have to give.

Sara said...

Ohilda and Scott....you are such awesome parents!! Such a wonderful family!! Keeping all of you in our prayers. This is so exciting :-)

The Byrd's Nest said...

I can't wait to see the final happy ending to this revelation from God.

Your faith is strong and I love that about you.

mommy24treasures said...

wow Ohilda! what wonderful wonderful news...

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