143 Million Reasons

Statistics say that there are around 143 million orphans worldwide. Some numbers I have seen are as high as 157 million. When I am asked why we decided to adopt, I am sometimes unsure of how to begin to answer.  You see, our story, my story, does not begin with a lifelong desire to adopt. I had always admired people who adopted. My world, however, was a bit too ordered and controlled. College, marriage, grad school, job, then three kids and a golden retriever. Somewhere along the line I had come under the illusion that I was in control of my life. It's amazing how deluded we can become and still be on the journey of sanctification!

It all started with a challenge. "You two could do that, you know. You should think about adoption!" I remember smiling and inwardly chuckling, like Sarah. But God, Who had began a good work in me so many years ago wouldn't let me dismiss those words so easily. The more I thought, prayed and talked with Todd, the more I began to see adoption all around me. It was strolling through the produce section at Cub, a book title on an end cap at Target, in the pew next to me. I also saw it in the very heart of God. As a follower of Christ, I am adopted. In the beginning of the book of Ephesians, God, through Paul tells us that believers in Christ Jesus were predestined by Him for adoption. (Ephesians 1:5) God the Father grows His family through adoption, how wonderful is that?

So we prayerfully began the paper journey to bring home a beautiful baby girl we would name Annika Mei Eng.  So many times in the last five years since she has come home, I have caught myself watching this precious one whom God graciously gave to us and thought, "We could have missed out on all of this." We could easily have stayed comfortable. But as her love and laughter fill our home, I see how foolish comfortable is.  We see more clearly Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." So, we adopted for selfish reasons. In our weakness, God worked powerfully to bring a little girl home to her family. In His sovereignty, a Lindquist was born in Xiushan, China and united with her family eight months later.  The joy of setting aside my 'kingdom' for His KINGDOM purposes is beyond words.

Now we find ourselves on the threshold of another wonderful adventure. He has brought us thus far and we are confident that He will bring another Lindquist home.  As if we needed more than 143 million reasons.....

The Beginning

I am beginning this blog in faith.  I don't know where this will lead, but I trust that God will use it as I venture into this uncharted water!  The biggest reason for blogging at this time is that we are waiting on God to grow our family once again through the awesome blessing of adoption.  I blogged the last time we were traveling in China to bring Annika home and it was helpful for family and friends to "travel" with us. In faith that we will be traveling again to China, I thought beginning a blog now would give me a chance to get my feet wet, so to speak.

This second adoption began with a nudge from some great friends. We had always talked about adopting again, but the topic would die quietly after a couple of days.  Late last summer, our friends said they were going to start the process.  Were we in?  We prayed, talked and prayed some more. We didn't hesitate too long before we knew in our hearts that God had another daughter waiting for us in China.  I already had an adoption agency in mind because a few adoption blogs I was following.  When I mentioned this agency to our friends, it was the same one they were drawn to as well! So, the paper trail began early last fall to bring home our yet to be named daughter from China.

Everyone here is on board and excited about our new addition.  We have hit many snags and delays already which have challenged my resolve, but God is faithful.  He is, after all, the God who "settles the solitary in a home" (Psalm 68:6a) and the "Father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5a).  We have our dossier logged in and are awaiting the newest shared list which is updated once a month.  Perhaps June will be the month we finally see her precious face for the first time.  I certainly pray for that.  Pray with me, please.