Minus 2 Orphans
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Predestined for adoption…
Yes, I can honestly say God predestined me (Georgia) from the beginning. Ultimately, He predestined me & Scott---both in very different ways and times in our lives. You see, I cannot recall a time in my life that I didn’t have a heart burdened for the orphans.
I can recall short conversations I would have with my husband, Scott about adoption. Adoption was a topic relatively well known to him. He worked in the Social Services field and was aware of the many “not so positive outcomes/consequences” that can come from adopting a child. He witnessed it first hand, he counseled those children and parents. It was challenging for him, but now, looking back, I can see where God was tugging on his heart in that realm. In a very different aspect, but nonetheless, molding his heart for what was to come.
But Scott was adamant that he did NOT want to adopt. I treaded lightly with him. I knew this would have to be a mutual decision. I knew this would have to be an area that God would have to move us both.
We have two biological children. Adeline, born in 2009. And Graham, born in 2011. That was the turning point for Scott. He didn’t know it then, neither one of us did, but Graham was definitely the turning point.
Our precious baby boy was born with Down syndrome. Life as we knew it changed in an instant. Something that once was so foreign to us, was now so very close to our hearts. Was now, something that would forever be a part of us. God reminded us that this life is a journey - one that I am NOT in total control of all the outcomes. But there is joy in knowing that He is.
God has and continues to show us how to live life being joyful in the moment...in the 'today' that we have together. And today, each and every day, I try to hold tight to that. I know I fall short often times, but I try to constantly remind myself. It was through Graham’s life, that Scott’s eyes were opened. Not only his eyes, but also his heart…..to adoption. He found the verse James 1:27 and could NOT get it out of his mind. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”. Upon reading that verse, he became aware of how little we do for the orphans. That we are failing in our current state. God is direct in this verse. There isn’t any grey here, we ARE called to look after the orphan! I thank Jesus for putting this verse, this desire on my husband’s heart. For it was through a trial that our family was able to become stronger, unite and push ourselves to step out of our comfort zone and do what our God has called us to do. But not just because we are called, because it is now the desire of our hearts.
So, began a lot of research and our hearts lead us to Ghana, Africa.
To say we have been through some bumps in the road would be an understatement. But, all adoptions have them. We were waiting 2 years to be matched to a child. 2 VERY LONG YEARS.
Your mind begins to wonder...IF the Lord put this burden on my heart (our hearts), why does He make us wait so long? When there ARE so many orphans in this world, WHY does it take so long for us to adopt just one? And the questions are endless honestly...
Just when I thought the door to Ghana might be closing completely…
...something inside of me said to not give up. Not just yet.
So, I did the only thing I could do and that was reach out to the few people I had met in this "Ghanaian" circle. The world of Facebook was definitely my friend during this time.
By doing so, we learned of 2 little boys, both in our age range that were potentially able to be adopted.
Could this really be happening? Could we finally be matched with a little one???
Yes. Indeed it WAS happening...
Getting the news of 2 boys at the same time is a lot to process and not exactly how we dreamt it up, but at the end of the day, we cannot say no to either of them.
The Lord burdened our hearts for the orphan. He is putting 2 directly in front of us. This is not our story, but His. We are following and trusting The Lord to provide.
By saying no to either one would mean the other would likely be an orphan forever. That, would be tragic, a burden we cannot bare.
And just like that we are fighting for two boys.
Two boys.
Half way around this world.
Separate orphanages.
Different regions.
And neither one of them have any idea we are already...
praying daily,
willing to fight with everything we got,
and falling in love with them.
Already.
We were prepared financially to adopt one. With the funds we saved personally along with the funds we raised from various fund raisers (now almost 2 years ago). But 2 - this way - it is 2 separate adoptions. Double the costs.
But.
We are in it to win it.
No exceptions.
Please help us by supporting our efforts to Minus2Orphans.
Follow our journey @ Minus 2 Orphans or Minus2Orphans FB .
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."
-John 14:18
Yes, I can honestly say God predestined me (Georgia) from the beginning. Ultimately, He predestined me & Scott---both in very different ways and times in our lives. You see, I cannot recall a time in my life that I didn’t have a heart burdened for the orphans.
I can recall short conversations I would have with my husband, Scott about adoption. Adoption was a topic relatively well known to him. He worked in the Social Services field and was aware of the many “not so positive outcomes/consequences” that can come from adopting a child. He witnessed it first hand, he counseled those children and parents. It was challenging for him, but now, looking back, I can see where God was tugging on his heart in that realm. In a very different aspect, but nonetheless, molding his heart for what was to come.
But Scott was adamant that he did NOT want to adopt. I treaded lightly with him. I knew this would have to be a mutual decision. I knew this would have to be an area that God would have to move us both.
We have two biological children. Adeline, born in 2009. And Graham, born in 2011. That was the turning point for Scott. He didn’t know it then, neither one of us did, but Graham was definitely the turning point.
Our precious baby boy was born with Down syndrome. Life as we knew it changed in an instant. Something that once was so foreign to us, was now so very close to our hearts. Was now, something that would forever be a part of us. God reminded us that this life is a journey - one that I am NOT in total control of all the outcomes. But there is joy in knowing that He is.
God has and continues to show us how to live life being joyful in the moment...in the 'today' that we have together. And today, each and every day, I try to hold tight to that. I know I fall short often times, but I try to constantly remind myself. It was through Graham’s life, that Scott’s eyes were opened. Not only his eyes, but also his heart…..to adoption. He found the verse James 1:27 and could NOT get it out of his mind. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”. Upon reading that verse, he became aware of how little we do for the orphans. That we are failing in our current state. God is direct in this verse. There isn’t any grey here, we ARE called to look after the orphan! I thank Jesus for putting this verse, this desire on my husband’s heart. For it was through a trial that our family was able to become stronger, unite and push ourselves to step out of our comfort zone and do what our God has called us to do. But not just because we are called, because it is now the desire of our hearts.
So, began a lot of research and our hearts lead us to Ghana, Africa.
To say we have been through some bumps in the road would be an understatement. But, all adoptions have them. We were waiting 2 years to be matched to a child. 2 VERY LONG YEARS.
Your mind begins to wonder...IF the Lord put this burden on my heart (our hearts), why does He make us wait so long? When there ARE so many orphans in this world, WHY does it take so long for us to adopt just one? And the questions are endless honestly...
Just when I thought the door to Ghana might be closing completely…
...something inside of me said to not give up. Not just yet.
So, I did the only thing I could do and that was reach out to the few people I had met in this "Ghanaian" circle. The world of Facebook was definitely my friend during this time.
By doing so, we learned of 2 little boys, both in our age range that were potentially able to be adopted.
Could this really be happening? Could we finally be matched with a little one???
Yes. Indeed it WAS happening...
Getting the news of 2 boys at the same time is a lot to process and not exactly how we dreamt it up, but at the end of the day, we cannot say no to either of them.
The Lord burdened our hearts for the orphan. He is putting 2 directly in front of us. This is not our story, but His. We are following and trusting The Lord to provide.
By saying no to either one would mean the other would likely be an orphan forever. That, would be tragic, a burden we cannot bare.
And just like that we are fighting for two boys.
Two boys.
Half way around this world.
Separate orphanages.
Different regions.
And neither one of them have any idea we are already...
praying daily,
willing to fight with everything we got,
and falling in love with them.
Already.
We were prepared financially to adopt one. With the funds we saved personally along with the funds we raised from various fund raisers (now almost 2 years ago). But 2 - this way - it is 2 separate adoptions. Double the costs.
But.
We are in it to win it.
No exceptions.
Please help us by supporting our efforts to Minus2Orphans.
Follow our journey @ Minus 2 Orphans or Minus2Orphans FB .
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."
-John 14:18
Organizer
Georgia Damalas Snodgrass
Organizer
Saint Charles, MO
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