Sleeping with the Lights On.

Forgive me if you've never heard of the musician Curtis Stigers. Few have. I vividly remember one particular Christmas morning, courtesy of a mother and father troubled by their son's interest in rap music (note the apostrophe and its location), a tape nestled beneath the tree. As I pulled the cassette from beneath the towering balsam fir to locate the artist I immediately heard laughter from my twin and youngest brother.

"Sweet Mullet". "Is that Michael Bolton on crack?" The jeers were limitless and warranted. (see image below)

But needless to say I got the last laugh. The dude could actually sing and dropped a few hits in his day. One in particular I'm reminded of was a song entitled "Sleeping with the Lights On". It was a classic, but you'll have to take my word for it to stay respected in the eyes of your peers.

I was pondering the song title tonight and realized that we as grown men and women often adopt this philosophy in our daily living. As a child it was acceptable. But an adult? We are so afraid of fear and uncertainty (monsters under the bed) that we choose to sleep with the lights on (disrupting the designed setting for perfect rest). A self imposed obstacle based on a perceived threat that only exists in our minds.

Julie and I know the feeling. When God informed us our time to adopt was NOW, we flipped the light switch. We discovered many reasons why waiting was the sensible and responsible thing to do. The financial aspect was far and away the largest commitment and we knew securing $30,000 dollars in a matter of six (6) months was nearly impossible. However, at this moment in our lives we knew God was not interested in our opinion. He reaffirmed to us that ignoring his plan would stifle the blessings he had in store for our family. So we turned off the lights and braved the uncertainty that was sure to follow.

God has been nothing short of miraculous over the last two (2) months. Our adoption process had slowed recently due to lack of funds but his provision has given us rest. In two separate cases he provided TO THE PENNY, the exact amount of money needed to move forward in separate endeavors (home study & agency fees). I want to share his unbelievable faithfulness, as just tonight we were blessed beyond measure. Julie and I hosted our weekly Elevation Church community group; at its conclusion in typical fashion we began cleaning the kitchen. Oddly out of place, Julie stumbled upon a white envelope with "Justin, Julie, & Malachi" typed on the front. There were no names, no handwriting, no signs to point to any one individual from the group. Inside a very "considerable" cash donation. It might as well have fallen from the sky; it was just what was needed to move forward with our next step.

Contemplating God's provision and his power to provide for his children I can't help but smile. In his word, conveniently in Malachi 3:10 he promises to "open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". This is a Tsunami. I urge you to test God in this. If you hear God's call, ACT. He will dissolve the fear and the uncertainty, he will fill you with confidence and power, and he will equip you to move mountains. Kill the lights my friends, let the darkness / uncertainty of the future give you a perfect rest as God guides you through it. He is faithful and his love endures forever. Julie and I are living proof.

Turn off the lights and sleep well tonight.

The journey continues.

Isaiah 40: 3-5 A voice of one calling : "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Nesting.

One truth of the adoption process, it ebbs and flows. Right now there is considerable ebbin' and little flowin'. But that is soon to change. In recent weeks, we've been busy raising money and filling out paperwork. No big suprise here but God has been miraculous at the least. We've reached every goal up to this point.

Julie has began what I like to call her "nesting" stage. She frequently wanders the neighborhood returning home with twigs, leaves, & native grasses. (i.e. - gathering supplies for Malachi's room - see photo)

We owe everyone a couple of new posts and promise those by weeks end.

For now, enjoy a glimpse into Momma Julie's nest.

The journey continues.

Conflict Minerals.

One of the greatest benefits up to this point, outside of the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, has been educating ourselves on the Democratic Republic of Congo and it's people. Many have expressed interest in the continuing issues that plague this nation. The video posted below will help connect the dots in regard to rebel groups and how they exploit natural resources and the people of Congo to build up weapons caches that perpetuate the cycle of violence and control in the DRC. I will adamantly state, that I do not agree with the assumption in this video that Americas insatiable appetite for technology and electronics has anything to do with furthering this conflict. The responsibility falls on the Congolese government and international peace keeping organizations to make sure the proper supply chains for precious mineral distribution are secure and free-flowing. When these channels are disrupted by militant / rebel groups, as they currently are, we must continue to develop a checks and balances system (see Conflict Minerals Trade Act) that keep the mineral wealth from ending up in the hands of those who fund the violence. We have a responsibility to do our part, but anyone who thinks America is a direct source of the problem is clearly mislead.

Currently Julie and I are doing our best to raise dollars to move our adoption process forward. The first step is completing a "home study".  The home study costs approximately $1,700 to administer and it serves three purposes: to educate and prepare the adoptive family for adoption, to gather information about the prospective parents that will help a social worker / adoption agency match the family with a child whose needs they can meet, and to evaluate the fitness of the adoptive family.

As we begin the home study we hope to be a source of information for those that are soon to adopt a child of their own. The blog should become much more active in the weeks to come. We thank God for his provision and opening new doors as we continue this process.

The journey continues. 

Understanding Conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation of proud and honorable people. I think what saddens my heart the most is the seemingly never ending warfare that plagues this great country and it's people. The residual effects have caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee, in turn subjecting them to even greater violence and many times death.

Much of the United States is unaware of the depth and breadth of this conflict. I hope this video will open your eyes to some of the despair that haunts the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maybe the most tragic stat of them all is the 5 million orphans facing this destiny alone.

Be informed. The journey continues.

Right click on video, and select "toggle fullscreen".



Isaiah 55: 12 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

First Fruits.

I want to take a moment to praise the outpouring of prayer, love, and support that has been so graciously offered to our family in the early stages of our adoption process. So many of you are asking to do more, this is how you can help.

Prayer is the greatest weapon we are equipped with. Continue to ask God for provision in the coming months for our family. Pray too that God will wrap Malachi in his loving arms and offer him protection and care.

Financial Gifts are of great need. The adoption process fluctuates between $25,000 to $30,000 dollars from start to finish. If you are interested in providing monetary donations to help bring Malachi home please mail checks to: 12212 Monteith Grove Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.

Fundraisers are going to serve as a major avenue to reach our monetary goal and we can use your help. More information to come in the following weeks.

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to thank a very special lady who has found it in her heart to donate to Malachi's journey. This donation came within the first day of our announcement and I thank God for her and her giving spirit. I'd like to share with you the card that accompanied the donation.

"Justin & Julie - You are brave souls to take on the challenge of this calling. I am very proud of you both. I'm also very proud of you for listening to that still, small voice. We spend a lot of time talking to God, but not enough listening. You listened and answered the call. One of my favorite quotes is 'Your life may be the only Bible some people read'. Your witness of love and faith will touch the lives of so many people you don't even know - but one day it will be revealed to you. Our prayers are with you. May our faith and hope strengthen you as God walks beside you and keeps you safe through out your journey. Peace and love to your soon to be family of 3!"

This is so encouraging and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her love and support.

The journey continues.

Hebrews 13: 15-16 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."