The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:21
At the recent funeral of Maria Sue Chapman, these were the words that Steven uttered to me as I tried to finds words to comfort him in his time of grief. These words of scripture were what brought him comfort. They brought me comfort. God's Word and the hope we have in Him is all we can count on in this world. It was a bold reminder from Psalm 46 that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. It brought back to mind Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
Recently, some of our well-meaning friends and family members have shared with us their advice and counsel on the situation with M. They had suggested that we should step back and reevaluate our desire to adopt her. We truly appreciated their concern and advice and told them we were going to wait on God to let us know how to proceed.
Praise the Lord M. is doing well, safe and sound. While we don't know or understand the details of her situation, we are trusting that God does and she is in good hands. During this time of questioning and seeking the Lord's wisdom for M. and her adoption into our family, we have been examining a lot of things in our own lives. We asked the Lord what we are to learn from this and how to apply it to ourselves. Is there something we need to see, learn, experience in this that we are missing? As we prayed, we asked the Lord for HIS WILL to be done and not ours. We asked for wisdom to know what HIS WILL is in the adoption of M. As we meditated on her, her needs and her safe return, we came to the realization that we are blessed to have her in our lives, it is a privilege to pray for her, to plead on her behalf for love, protection and blessing from the Lord. We know that God brought her to us for a reason and to all of the saints that have prayed for her for such a time as this.
We have had to take a long hard look at our personal situation here at the crazy Mestas house and have recently come to the realization that we are not her forever family. While this is not what we had hoped for, we believe with all of our hearts that the Lord has spoken to us and that He has another family planned for her. She needs a family that can devote a lot of time and attention to her. Our new life with 8 children, 5 children under the age of 5 years old, and a precious new grandson, is just not conducive to giving her the time and attention that she deserves and needs. We are literally spending every waking moment, taking care of 5 very demanding little children that have consumed our lives. I don't have time to change my mind half of the time, and I just don't think this is the best situation for M. I don't want to do her a disservice and as much as I hate to admit it, I just don't have what is best for her right now. She would be standing at the end of the line of 5 little ones all day long, waiting for my attention. Never mind the rest of my responsibilities like laundry, dinner, chores, errands, schooling, nurturing the older children and of course my husband. As I have prayed for wisdom, I have had to admit that I am not superwoman...I can not do it all! I am trying to do my best with what I have now and I am overwhelmed with the thought of taking on more responsibility and being able to serve in a way that will bring honor and glory to God and to all involved. So, we have had to surrender our desire to bring her into our family knowing that God has a better plan.
We have a genuine desire to see all of these precious children in Ethiopia be placed in loving, forever families and we are praying that as a result of this journey of faith, many more people will step out and rescue these children. So with that said, may we ask all of you to join us in the prayer that the Lord will reveal HIS PERFECT PLAN for M. and that she will be placed with a family that can meet all of her specific needs. That someone reading this, or hearing about her through this journey, will be led by the Lord to come forward and say...we believe the Lord has called us to adopt her!! She needs a Mom and Dad to love and care for her, talk with her, and walk with her through this life. Maybe the Lord's plan for her in our lives was just to help find her forever family through this journey? Only He knows the plan for sure and we are stepping out in faith again to see what that is. We desire that M. be loved and adopted...that she know the Savior Jesus Christ and that HIS WILL BE DONE!! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for her, her safe return and allowed the Lord to use this situation to draw you to HIM and M. into your hearts as well as ours! This journey is not over, we wait with HOPE, joy and peace to see what the Lord has in store for her as we continue to pray for and love her!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
10 comments:
You are in our prayers, as is M.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
The Daming Family
We are so thankful she is safe but will not stop praying for her and for God's plan for her to be done. We also pray for all of you in your not- crazy-but-very-energetic-and-fun house! Look forward to seeing you all soon.
-F
You are an encouragement to me in hearing how you are willing to let go of your desires (for M) in order to follow God's heart. We'll continue praying for M to have a forever family. ~Sabrina
I think it's important that you make a decision that's best for both your family and M. My prayers are with you.
Dear Mestas family - I know that it is painful when God says no to something that we desire. Thank you for listening to Him and for sharing your hearts. God showed me something similar about a year ago, and it was difficult and filled with days of surrender. He has truly called our family to be involved with orphans and in ways that we can't even yet imagine. But that does not always involve adoption. He is showing us so many other ways to care for the fatherless and there are many ways we can participate in things that will allow children to stay with their families of birth and ways to care for widows who are parents and so desire to raise their children. It is a very complex and overwhelming situation. Thanks for having a heart for God's least and sharing it with us. I will pray for M. and that God will provide her forever family. I am in constant prayer for the Chapman family along with you, Tricia Wilson
You and M are in my prayers. I think it is wonderful that M has had you praying for her this whole time and only God knows why things turn out the way they do, we just have to trust His perfect plan. I will pray a new family is found for M and she finds the best home possible for her needs.
Melinda
May the Lord bring you peace and comfort as you continue to surrender to His will. Thank you for having the wisdom to let go and Trust, so that God can provide M with the best forever family. Your family and M will continue to be in our prayers.
We love you!
The Gilbreaths :)
Are you still planning on adopting another older child then? I think it was very wise of you to call on God and give everything to HIM. I know He has a reason and purpose for everything. I will continue to remember you and M in prayer.
I love you guys and know you well enough that when you say you have prayed and heard from God ..you indeed have heard from Him. This is God's will and my prayers now will be to have M find the perfect family and for you to have peace with your decision and that God shows you your present and future role in the world of adoption/orphan care. You are already doing a mighty work for Him.
Love, Deanna
Hi Guys! .... just checking in to see how things are going. Rejoicing with you that M has been found!! Praise be to God! And trusting with you that God will move in the hearts of her forever family and unite them together. So grateful to be able to follow your journey, dear sister. Much love~ Shelly
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