Joseph and Jesus

I've been reading a book on adoption called, "Adopted for Life" by Russell D. Moore. And, for the past week or so I have been chewing on something that the author pointed out. It is so good I wanted to share it. It is from the chapter called Joseph of Nazareth vs. Planned Parenthood. Many times when we think through the "Christmas Story" and contemplate the engagement, marriage, and fatherhood of Joseph we focus on what Joseph was not. He was not the biological father of Joseph. Jesus was born of a virgin. Joseph almost did not marry Mary. The Holy Spirit is behind the conception of Jesus and not Joseph.

The author challenges us to think of who Joseph was. Joseph did take Mary as his wife. He did parent Jesus. Jesus would have called Joseph, "Abba". Jesus obeys Joseph. And, Joseph would have been responsible according to Deuteronomy 6 to train Jesus in the scriptures.

And, "Jesus' identity as the Christ, after all, is tied to his identity as the ancestor of David, the legitimate heir to David's throne. Jesus saves us as David's son, the offspring of Abraham, the Christ. That human identity came to Jesus through adoption. Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' roots in abrham and David through the line of Joseph. As the Presbyterian scholar J. Gresham Machen put it, Joseph's adoption of Jesus means Jesus belongs 'to the house of David just as truly as if he were in a physical sense the son of Joseph. He was a gift of God to the Davidic house, not less truly, but on the contrary in a more wonderfu way than if he had been descended from david by ordinary generation.' It is through Joseph that Jesus find his identity as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise. It is through Joseph's legal fatherhood of Jesus that the 'hopes and fears of all the years' find their realization in the final son of Abraham, son of David, and son of Israel. Joseph's fatherhood is significant for us precisely because of the way the gospel anchors it to the fatherhood of God himself." (page 67 & 68)

I have never considered that Jesus was adopted. That is amazing! I love it. I am amazed at how many ways Jesus can relate to us in our specific situations and sufferings. WoW!

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Baby Names

Alex and I have a couple of names that we are thinking over for our daughter. I love picking out names. I love name meanings. And, there is something about dreaming over a name that gives hope to the wait (whether pregnant or adopting). Every so often out of the blue I will suggest we go over the names we have thought of so far and discuss which one is in the lead. Alex is probably used to this by now. He is a great conversationalist and he enters into the discussion but I don't think we have the same level of enjoyment over the naming process. Maybe that is unfair. Maybe he does have the same level of enjoyment, he just wouldn't choose to discuss it as early as me.

With our first 4 children we did not share the names we were thinking of until the baby's birthday. Alex loves having a secret between us. And, loves the joy of the announcement. I am usually struggling to keep the details to myself. I love sharing. This time around is no different. I want to talk. I want to tell what we are thinking.

I suppose we will make an announcement when we get our baby's picture. Can't wait!

The Wait Strengthens Our Soul

"Be encouraged that in the midst of silence-even when it is the last thing we want to hear-something in the waiting still works to strengthen our soul." Sitting in God's Sunshine by Alicia Britt Chole

Feel, Do, Think, Faith

I travelled in a music group in college named One Accord. I was a vocalist along with Kristina Fulks (now Sieh) and Heidi Heaston (now Hewuse) and Ian Lindsay. At one point in our travels we got on a people analysis kick: personality tests, birth order, spiritual giftings, and just in general how people are wired up. I think being stuck in a van with 9 unique individuals we were looking for answers and survival techniques. Those were the days! Anyway, one of our conversations revolved around 3 words Do, Think, Feel. People do all of these but not in the same order. For example, I am a feel, do, think.

(FEEL) I have wanted to adopt since 1996. Hearing the stories of abandoned little girls in China went deep into my heart. I have cried over orphans for years. I have begged the Lord to place an orphan into our family. I have been inspired by others who have adopted and watched them with great joy in my heart, longing for my day to come.

(DO) This past fall we believed that God was showing us that it was "time" to pursue adoption. We have done everything we can at this point to be ready. We have done a home-study, we have been and are reading about adoption, internet research, talked to other adoptive families, we are praying, we have been fingerprinted twice, filed the I-600 A, learning a little about Taiwan's people and culture. There is lots of doing here.

Just in the last month with our adoption getting closer by the day, THINK, is coming on strong. My mind is full of thoughts like: Wow! This is real. Can I do this? Who is she going to be? Will she bond to us? Can we afford this? The flight to Taiwan is really long and I don't like to fly. I have never adopted before, this is going to be new and different.

Alex, my husband, is a THINK, FEEL, DO by the way. Thank the Lord! I know He put us together perfectly. We really compliment each other in a true way. I am feeling when Alex is thinking. Alex is convinced and confident when I am finally getting around to thinking. I think he continues to be shocked that thinking comes on the scene so late for me. :)

(FAITH) I have been taking my "thoughts" to the LORD. And, He is my Rock. With Him, I have everything I need and I don't need to be afraid. I think God has been telling that now is the time to believe. Up until now adoption has come easily for me. And, I have come to my "crisis of belief". I am standing at the Red Sea. I know in the deepest part of my spirit that this is the LORD's will and with Moses I will cross the sea. Like, Abraham and Sarah, I want to believe that what GOD says, He will do! Abraham not knowing where He was going set out in faith. I don't know how things are going to play out. I have not ever adopted before. I hope the baby will bond to us. I hope I will be a great mom to her. And, it is in the Lord's hands. I will trust in Him.

The Lord Will Take Us In

I woke up this morning with a verse from the Psalms dancing in my head. "Though my father and mother reject me, the LORD will take me in". I read about an orphanage in Honduras that has this promise written over their entrance. This verse gives incredible hope. We were the LORD's idea and we are His. Every family in heaven and on earth gets their name from Him. We didn't decide to be born. We didn't choose what family we would arrive in. We didn't choose our brothers or our sisters. We have no control over the beauty or lack of beauty in those surrounding us. Our significance is found in Our Heavenly Father. All of us let others down and we have been let down. Even if those closest to us hurt us in the deepest way, the LORD will take us in. He will never leave us or forsake us. We have an open invitation from the One we really belong to.

Baby, I pray this verse for you. That you will know that you are the Lord's idea. Praying that in the deepest part of your being you will know He thought of you and that He planned your life. He will never leave you. He will take you in. You are His. Praying that we will grasp together the beauty of the Lord's unfailing love.

Bubble Tea

I read a blog last night written by an adoptive mom who is traveling home from Taiwan even now. They spent a week in Taiwan and have been sharing some of their experiences. I can't wait to get there and experience a little corner of Asia. I have been to Mexico, Canada, Africa, flown through Germany, but never even been close to Asia.

I have a facebook account and I have read statuses my city friends have written about Bubble Tea. And, through the aforementioned bloggers blog I have learned that Taiwan has Bubble Tea. Don't ask me what it is because I haven't had it yet. But, I am excited that when we fly from South Central Nebraska to the busy city of Taipei, I am going to find out what all the hubbub about Bubble Tea really is.

October Would Be Great Because...

With every month that passes I come up with a reason that this would be the best month for our baby to make her grand entrance. This month's top reason is:

None of our children were born in October and we weren't either. It would be great to have a baby in a "space" on the calendar.

How I Wonder Where You Are?

Dear Baby,

I think about you every day and pray for you and your birth mom and dad. I am praying for you and for them to know Jesus. I am praying for Glenda and Mary Joy. They are the nannies who will be caring for you. I ask that God will give them lots of love for you and other His Hands babies until I get to take over. I pray that God will help them as they care for little ones without all the sleep they are used to. They have a big job. I am praying for Holly and Trena that God will give them wisdom and strength and grace for each day and it's challenges. I keep wondering if you have already made your entrance into the world or when you going to. I am really excited to see a picture of your face and know who you are. Time is passing slowly as I wait for you. I guess in that way adoption is similar to carrying a baby in your tummy. There is a dull ache continually there that wants to be answered/delivered. There are all kinds of unanswered questions swirling in my mind: Where are you? What will you look like? What is your story? What is your personality going to be like? What is your voice going to be like? What is the adjustment going to be like? Will you accept our love? What will it be like to bottle feed? I am looking forward to finding out.