Five years ago this month God showed off in a big way. Oh a beautifully wonderful way!

Austin and I had always wanted to adopt but figured we would wait till after a coule bilogical to give us some experience parenting. I totally had it all planned out. After 2 years of being married we would get pregnant have a couple kids two years apart and then look into adoption. 

Then the reminder that I am not the author of my life. I do not write the pages. That "right" was surrendered at the cross. After 2 years, our desire for kids demished and returned a year or two later (after seeing examples of godly women who were still involved in ministry with kids). We tried to get pregnant to no avail. After 2 years (5 or 6 years after getting married) of the every two week cycle of hope and let down God stepped in and saved the day.

November is National Adoption month (We didn't know that) and our alarm to wake us up happened to be set to the Chritian station.  For a week straight we woke up to stories of God rescuing and redeeming little lives through adoption. Tears of amazment and joy ran down our cheeks. 

Shortly after the morning tears, I spoke at a womens retreat and Austin the same weekend at a guys retreat. We both had incredilbe conversations with people close to and effected by adoption. Him, a guy who had been adopted and me, a mom whose daughters placed babies for adoption. Our convictions began to solidify and desire began to grow.

Then not long after, in my time with the Lord, God showed me adoptions in Scripture and how He used them,  and He showed Austin the same. One day I walked in on Austin spending time with the Lord and music blaring, (a song sining "Yes and Amen, whatever is in Your heart...") singing his heart out and crying. (I still cant believe I get to be married to such a godly, wise man!!). He was saying Yes to the Lord, no matter what the cost.

That day we decided to just get information. That's it, to just take the next step. The next day we got an email. And mind you, we had not told ANYONE we were considering adoption. The email said there was a girl interested in possibly placing a baby with us if we were interested in adoption. Can you believe it!? Well, after a series of beautiful miracles we stood in the hospital room holding our precious little baby boy. (And let me just tell you that it is very hard for me not to type out every tiny little divine orchestration, but it would make this post just way too long-and I have them under Asher and Uriah and also on the The Story page. Oh how I hope you would read the and get to hear about what God can do!)

I had a tight grip on what I wanted my family to look like. But praise God He loosened my grip. But here I stand again. Seeing the need, hearing God's heart cry. Knowing, having seen, God's grace be sufficient time and time again. Often times he doesn't provide the resources till we step out and depend on Him for them. He says, "Test me now in this" that when we give, will He not abundantly provide? Will He not open the store houses of heaven?

We have 3 kids 4 and under. "The American dream" says 2.5 kids, not Jesus. Not Jesus. My flesh says I can't, but my spirit reminds me He can. He can. 

All thats needed...  
a willingness 
to take the next step.

So here we are at Day 9 of the Not About Me November Challenge. And I am loving every minute of it! 

(It's not too late to join the journey and join us in seeing God transform our hearts and minds as we behold Him and reflect on everything in life being about Him, not us. If you don't blog, feel free to join up through posting a facebook status or tweet with the hashtag #NotAboutMeNovember.)

Each weekday until Thanksgiving there is a new link up. Then tweet your post url with the hashtag #NotAboutMeNovember and grab the button to put in your post.

Here's my last six days. But be sure to scroll down (even to previous posts) to read the other ladies linked up who have great insights. 

Mess is not about me {Day 8}
My Identity is not about me {Day 7}
Technology is not about me {Day 6}
My Curiousity is not about me {Day 5}
My emotions are not about me {Day 4}
My reputation is not about me {Day 3}
What I know is not about me {Day 2} 
My ministry is not about me{Day 1}

And since it is also Brag On God Friday, link up your posts that tell about how incredible God is and put a link to this list or put my button code (found on the side bar) on your post for people to find these other great ladies bragging about the greatness of God. 

And the Permanent Brag On God Mosaic found under the Brag on God Friday's Link Up tab is still up. Head on over and help decorate the tab for the glory of God