6 - Why Not?

I can't think of any way possible to call each one of you with our latest news but I do want to share with each of you the plans we have for our family. Before you jump to any crazy conclusion…NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Many of you may know that Mark has been wanting to add #6 to our family since shortly after we brought Elizabeth home. I have never been very open to that thought and have joked that it would have to be with wife #2! Well, Mark is not getting a wife #2 but we are working towards plans to adopt a #6 child to our family. The short of it is we are looking to add a toddler age boy from Ethiopia. (I think Mark is realizing that soon he will be the odd man out in a house full of girls!) There are still lots of questions to ask and things to learn but here is where we are:

First, I can honestly say that I feel like God has been changing my heart over the past couple of months. The thought of having another little one in the home terrifies me still but I am reminded that God doesn't throw anything at you that He knows you cannot handle with His help. Over the past couple of months I have read or seen various blogs, videos, emails, speakers and TV shows (believe it or not "Idol Gives Back") that have kept the orphans of Africa on my mind (Ethiopia alone has over 4 million orphans). I have also been reminded of how much I feel like God has blessed our family with a stable job for Mark, a house more than big enough for our family, and supportive friends and family. He has given Mark and I the calling and joy of being parents. There really is no reason that's clear to me why we can't provide a home and family for one more child.

I also believe that if I think that God could possibly be calling us to adopt again I have to step out in faith and pursue it. I know that God can close the doors just as easily as He opens them and will make it clear to us as we pursue this journey. The longer I piddle around wondering if this is what we are to do, the more I risk missing out on an incredible opportunity and blessing.

A confirmation of our decision to pursue this adoption came when we told our children. Adoption is a family event. Everyone in the family is affected one way or another when you bring a new child in the home. We are fortunate that our children share a heart for adoption. Who would imagine that teenage boys would be excited about getting a baby brother?! Mary Grace, the 2^nd mother that she is, is thrilled and has already put in her request to travel to Africa! When I told the kids I thought that some people would think we are crazy Matthew said, "well, that's crazy in a good sort of way." Anna and Elizabeth of course have no idea what this means but we are sure they will teach little brother everything he needs to know and more! Don’t think for a minute that it’s always a Walton family-like picture around here…believe me, no camera crew will ever be allowed within 10 feet of this house!

We are working with an agency out of Portland Oregon called All God’s Children International (www.allgodschildren.org). We learned about this agency after getting an email from a former teacher at our elementary school. She adopted a little girl from Ethiopia last year and highly recommends that agency. I would love for you to see the YouTube video of her with her daughter in the orphanage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyL9UjLrdM). Ideally, I'd like a child that is potty trained - maybe 2-3 years old. Mark definitely wants another son. Who really knows what God has in store for us....remember He gave us the little blonde hair blue eyed tornado when we thought we needed a little sister to "look like" Anna! The most amazing thought for me is that I believe that God has known all along who our son is and that most probably he’s already been born.

Lastly, we sang a hymn in church a few weeks ago, Let Your Heart Be Broken, that spoke volumes to me, particularly the last verse

Let your heart be tender

And your vision clear -

See mankind as God sees,

Serve Him far and near;

Let your heart be broken

By another's pain,

Share your rich resources -

Give and give again.

Please pray for us as we embark on this journey. I look forward to sharing this experience with you! Our last adoptions were definitely an exciting adventure. I hope to keep everyone updated through my blog so that you can enjoy the ride with us! Last night we had a conference call with our social worker and learned more of the “details” of the process. I’ll be posting some of those details later. Let me just leave you hanging with a teaser…1 to 6 months! Yikes!

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" - James 2:17