Officially Adopted

For over a year now, many of you have joined with Scott and Abby in praying that they would be able to adopt a little boy or girl.  On October 3^rd, Scott’s birthday, God began revealing some of the details to the answers of those prayers with a phone call that said they had been matched with a little girl not quite two months old.  Immediately, there were more forms to complete, airline tickets to purchase, and things to send to Mary.  Scott was in England beginning work on his PhD while Abby was visiting in Houston.  She flew to meet him to sign papers so they could continue the process and hopefully hurry the date when they could meet their daughter.  When the paperwork was accepted Abby and Scott flew to Taiwan to meet Mary for the first time and appear before the judge.  As their two week visit was coming to an end, they made the decision for Abby to stay with Mary until the adoption was complete.  She would stay at the orphanage to take care of Mary and to help out with the other babies.  Even though it has been a long and sometimes difficult three months helping take care of so many children, it has been a blessing for Abby to have the time to bond with Mary and to be there for hugs, comfort, and reassurance.  She also experienced Mary cutting her first tooth, sitting up, crawling, and pulling up.  Because Abby stayed, Mary has also been able to see Scott and hear his voice with the use of technology.  During these days, we have continued to pray and believe, and to send boxes with clothes, supplies, and food.  

Last week the local Taiwanese court issued Mary’s final adoption decree.  The courts officially declared what Abby and Scott have believed in their hearts since October; Mary Louise is their daughter.  There continues to be great rejoicing over the long awaited approval and gratefulness for God’s presence, faithfulness, and provision.  And this week I will be praying for them as they say goodbye, express their gratitude, and begin their journey as a family of three.  By this time next week, they should have safely arrived in Houston!

During these days, I have thought so many times about the blessing, excitement, and joy of Scott and Abby choosing Mary to be their daughter.   It has helped me picture in a new way how much God loves to add new children to his family.  And all those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior have been chosen and adopted by God!  We are sons and daughters of the King and heirs with his son, Jesus!  

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 

I Samuel 1:27

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

Romans 8:15

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galations 4:4-7

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 

I John 3:1