From My Heart

This is long, I apologize in advance.  But the situation is grave and I must share my heart.

Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair.  If only I could have coffee with each of you so you could hear me share my heart….but this will have to do….

Yesterday, as many of you know, it was announced that the Russian Government had voted unanimously to no longer allow Americans to adopt children from Russia.  President Putin just has to sign it to make it official.

A few fasted and prayed before Christmas about the vote as we had heard just days before that the vote was coming.

The United States of America has adopted 60,000 Russian orphans in the past 20 years.

Yet all of that is about to end.

Friends this is extremely serious.
  
It’s about to become law that Americans can no longer adopt from Russia.

As I pondered all of this yesterday morning, I felt I need to share my heart in a huge way.

It’s serious.


But truthfully, it’s not about Russia. 


 It’s really not.


Listen to this:   

Yesterday morning when Graham came into the kitchen to have his breakfast, he happened to be the only one at the table…the kids were playing…it was quiet…just Ruby, Graham and I.

I told him about the Russian vote and I then remarked that the Lord had given me a prophetic picture of what was happening in the western world regarding the orphan and adoption and I had wrote about it on the blog a few years ago.  

Graham asked me, “Can you find it mom?”

So I hopped on the internet and did a search on my blog.  I knew I had written it a few years ago.  I found that I had actually wrote it just over three years ago on November 21, 2009.   We were living in the rental after our fire and Emma and I were getting ready to head to Ch*na to bring Jubilee home.  You can find it in it’s entirety here.

As Graham ate his cereal, I read it aloud to him.

At the end he just said, “Wow Mom.  It’s cool that you have that in writing.”

The reason I had written the blog post three years ago was that I had been seen a prophetic picture from the Lord.

I humbly share a portion of the prophetic picture/word given to me with you:


The picture was His hand over the United States…but His hand was lifting.  It was in regard to International Adoption.  I felt like He told me at that time, “My hand of grace has been on the United States in regards to the orphan, but they have refused to turn their hearts to the orphan.  People are so wrapped up in their things.  Few care about the orphan.  Churches don’t care.  Pastors have turned a deaf ear to the cry of the orphan.  My hand of mercy is lifting.  You will see International Adoption closing as my hand of judgment settles on America.


From that vantage point, this situation in Russia is not about Russia.  


It’s about America and Americans hearts for the orphan.  

Here is a snippet of what I wrote that day, November 21, 2009:

I feel that I need to share my heart a bit more.  After the situation yesterday I knew the time was right to share what God has been nudging me about for awhile now and so I wrote yesterday’s post. 

But today I need to explain a bit more. Here’s what has been whirling around in my heart for months….. bear with me, will you? For months I have been feeling that God’s hand of mercy has been on America/Canada etc. regarding the orphan. But I am feeling more convinced than ever that His hand of mercy is being lifted and His hand of judgment is coming. I don’t write those words lightly sweet bloggy friends.  


I continued:

Take for example: Many years ago prayer was removed from public schools. I was a little girl in school, but I often wonder how many questioned the decision. Some may have questioned, but most, just sat with their jaws dropped and said, “How’d they do that?”

I am convinced that we as Christians have been so concerned over the years that we would offend people that we have said nothing. Our rights have been slowly stolen away as most have sat idly by.

The United States of America was formed by those who gave up everything familiar {homes, jobs, families} to come to America seeking religious freedom. Yet, only a little over 200 years later, we Christians are quickly becoming the most oppressed {not persecuted, but oppressed} people in our “free” land.

And so it is seeming to go with adoption.

There are now millions of orphans in the world. In recent years the hearts of
some of God’s people have begun to stir for the orphan.

But really, think about it…….

there wouldn’t have gotten to be millions of orphans in the world if the vast majority of Christians had said, many, many, years ago – “NOT ON MY WATCH! – We WILL defend the orphan, we will get on our knees and pray(!), we will open our homes to the orphans, we will stop this injustice!”

 Not so long ago if someone was adopting Jesus-loving Christians whispered, “Ohhhhhh…wow….they’re adopting….” And it was whispered back, “Ummmmm, why? Can’t they have kids of their own?” 

Very, very few are genuinely concerned for the orphan. 

Really, why would anyone be concerned, it doesn’t affect them.

It would be inconveniencing to care. Everyone had a life. Their own life.
And most often, two children {max!} fit into their lifestyle.

But I am convinced that God has given our wealthy Western world Christians one last chance.

No kidding.

I feel like He said, “Their parents hearts have hardened…..so I’m going to stir the hearts of young people for the orphan and see if their parents generation of America/Canada/Australia, etc. will wake up for the orphan. I am going to fill some young people’s hearts with compassion for the millions of orphans.

I am going to see if their parents will wake up. I am going to see if their pastors will wake up. I am going to see if their peers will wake up. I am going to give them one last chance!” 

As many of you know, Steven Curtis Chapmans oldest daughter Emily’s heart was so moved for the orphan that she hounded her parents to consider adoption. Years later, they had three Chinese little girls and a huge special needs hospital built in Ch*na, not to mention an entire ministry dedicated to helping others adopt.

What amazing things will happen when a young girl’s heart is yielded to her Master – the defender of Orphans a/k/a Almighty God. {And many of you heard the call to adopt at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert – again, as a direct result of his daughter Emily’s passion for the orphan.}

I know of another couple who Dw and I had the privilege of meeting recently. They told us how their oldest son went on a missions trip to Russia and upon returning home convinced his almost empty-nester parents that they had to open their home to an orphan. They eventually adopted from Russia and maybe one day will adopt again. All because their son had had his heart stirred by Almighty God.

And more people have been waking up. Their hearts have been stirred. Some have gotten so passionate for the orphan that they are now labeled as “obsessed”….but the funny thing is that God’s word is filled with just how we are supposed to care for the orphan – we are supposed to be passionately obsessed!!

God is crazy about the orphan.

He is grieved about the injustices done to them and He is waiting for those to rise up and say, “enough!!”

I am convinced that the countries that are making it more and more difficult for orphans to be adopted are a direct result of the judgment Hand of God. I am equally convinced that He is waiting to see what we, the body of Christ, will do.

Will we turn a deaf ear?

At the risk of losing every bloggy friend out there – – I will be a passionately obsessed voice for the orphan – No. Matter.What!!!
God’s greatest commandments are these: First, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Second, Love your neighbor as yourself.

At the risk of stepping on toes, really sweet bloggy friends, most of what we do is a giant waste of time – almost all the “stuff” that fills our time.

Our stuff distracts from loving God and our stuff distracts from loving others.

 Our stuff steals our time.

Our stuff costs us valuable energy. If it isn’t done with pleasing Him first and foremost and ministering to the less fortunate – then it is a time and energy sucker.

And with no time and energy we have nothing left over to do what really counts, ya’ know?
So I believe, with all my heart that God is watching us and waiting. What will we do with the information that we have just learned?

Will we pray? 


Will we get on our knees and beg God to intervene? 


Will we repent for our arrogance?


Will we repent for our choosing ‘stuff’ instead of ministering to the orphan, the poor, the widow?


Will we repent for our self-centered obsession with ourselves?


Will we?


Will we fast? 


Will we tell others of what is happening? 


OR 


Will we turn a deaf ear? 


Will we ignore it? 

Will we rationalize it and say, “Ummm that’s so sad.  Bummer.  But I have to get a move on with my new Pinterest board. It’ll all work out for those poor kids. I am sooooo busy, you just have no idea!” 

Friends, I refuse to have my children someday say to me, “What did you do mom when America stopped allowing orphans to come home?” and have me say, “Ummm, I was busy. I didn’t notice. You have no idea how busy I was. I was going to lunch with my friends, taking classes, walking in the woods, scrapbooking, blogging, volunteering, teaching Sunday School, etc. I just didn’t have time and I thought someone else would do it for me.”

No, I can’t do that and I am passionately compelled and obsessed – we must do something.

So Dw and I, together with International Voice of the Orphan are calling for a fast.  


We must.

We cannot sit back and allow this to happen.

And the only one who can change this is Almighty God.

The defender of orphan and widow.

The God we refer to as Our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God!  And He can do it.

Will He?  I’m not sure.

I keep remembering the picture He gave me of His hand of mercy slowly lifting.


And I wonder how many have fasted and prayed for the orphans in the last 3 years?

How many of the millions who claim to be Christians have done anything?

How many pastors embrace Orphan ministries?

How many truly care?

How many are addicted to the orphan’s needs?

How many were on the orphan ‘kick’ but have settled back into their previous lifestyle?

These are hard words my friends.  I know that.   But to sit back and say, ‘la-la-la-la-la’ would be a travesty to the orphan.

Not on my watch!

I trust you have heard my heart. This is serious friends, it’s desperately serious.  And again, it’s not about Russia, although that’s how it is playing out.

The situation is definitely not too difficult for our God. It is not too difficult at all.

BUT what we do with this situation and others will directly relate to what God allows in the future no doubt. 

I believe if we don’t act on behalf of the orphan now we will watch as country after country closes their doors to America/Canada as God’s hand of mercy continues to lift.

Or will you keep pleading with me on behalf of the orphans in Russia who have been matched with families and those lying in insituations longing for a family?

Will you join with friends around the world in a fast?

A Day of Prayer and Fasting Sponsored by International Voice of the Orphan

Saturday


December 29th, 2012

Yes, it’s the holidays.

I know that.

But there are 46 families in the midst of the process, matched with treasures and waiting to come home who cannot if this vote goes through.  There are orphans, helpless, longing for a family.

Can we stay God’s hand of judgment?  

Will you be their voice?

Do you care?


Do you care enough to fast and pray with us?  

The future of International Adoption is looming.

Any country could close their doors {bang!} just like that.

Russia’s vote was sudden.

Prayer and fasting is the ONLY thing that will change this desperate situation.

THE ONLY THING.

Will you join us?

123 thoughts on “From My Heart

  1. Thank you for sharing you heart here Linny. We have friends that are waiting to be matched in Russia. We will be praying and fasting.
    We are waiting to see what the LORD has in store for our family also…
    twins may be? 😉

    1. Thank you Shonni for spreading the word…it is serious and it truly is not about Russia…other countries will be closing their doors as God's hand of mercy is lifted and His hand of judgment lowers.

      My heart is sick.

      And Shonni, what most don't know is that Dw IS IN the hospital. I rushed him last night during Jubilee's birthday celebration…but this morning the orphan's crisis demanded my attention….their situation takes precedence over our family's situation….because we love the orphan and we want our lives to reflect that!

      Now I will focus my attention on my precious orphan-loving husband….please pray for him with me…we are awaiting test results…

  2. I will join you Lannie. It breaks my heart to hear of all those children who won't find a way home with the doors to the US closed. It's this way with Guatemala now. SO many innocents who won't know what it means to have a family. I may have no family from Russia, but I do have from Guatemala. As such my heart breaks knowing there are yet more children who are going to be denied the basics of life all children should know: the love of parents and the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

    While the Lord has put the children of my own home state on my heart for adoption, the international adoption community is just as vital and important. I pray the Lord will hear our prayers and make a way for these treasures to find their way home!

    Blessings,
    Kristi

  3. YES!!! My answer is YES! I'm passing your thoughts along, we CAN not do nothing! This is going to be a BIG year, for our nation and God is also doing something REALLY BIG in our family. He is in the details, they are in HIS hands, I trust HIM with the big stuff and the little stuff. This one is big! Really big, BUT it's not too big for Him. I'm in sister! Fasting and praying!

  4. Absolutely! Thank you, Linny! We must! It is a privilege that we can not, will not take for granted. Will join in the fast on Saturday, praying unceasingly. <3

    John 14:18
    I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

    James 1:27
    Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

  5. I feel more at ease now with the way my life has changed. I have always had a heart for orphans but the past several years I have been compelled by the Holy Spirit to adopt. To take babies. We have been fostering infants for 2 1/2 years now and I have all but given up my hobbies and interests. My bio children are mostly grown. Here I sit reading your post with 3 babies and I'm surrounded by diapers and bottles and toys. My magazine living room is now Romper Room. My husband and I have never been more tired. Or more happy. Our friends think we're nuts. Thanks for a great post.

    1. I love that you said you have never been more tired. Or more happy. We feel the same. Our lives are joyful beyond words. Thank you for reminding others about the joys of many treasures…who desperately need just one thing: family forever

  6. I'll be praying and fasting with you, Linny. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am stunned when I hear comment after comment about how hard it will be for our family if we adopt a 6 year year old (we are praying to be matched) — but I want to scream "but what about him?!? what about the 6 year old boy? How hard is it on HIM not to have a family, medical care, education?!??" Its like living in a Bizarro world. Thank you for this post.

    1. Thank you so much. Yes, that's the attitude that has God's hand of judgment coming. You nailed it perfectly. "That 6 yr old would be so inconveniencing." ugh. It makes me want to scream.

  7. Oh Linny, I am grieved as well. I remember that post you wrote and haven't forgotten it. You wrote it when I was living in Guatemala and I was trying to get our son home from another country that shut down adoptions. Our son was one of the last to get out.

    My concern hasn't just been that other countries would close their doors to us, but that our own country would close our doors to allow adopted children to come in–especially in regards to children with special needs. We have a nation that doesn't value life–unborn life, disabled life, elderly life, terminal life. I would not be surprised if our government viewed children with special needs as a drain to our healthcare system. You are right that this isn't just about Russian–it's about America. Perhaps that is why we feel urgency to get our special needs daughter from China home quickly. We feel this is a freedom that may not always be ours.

    Thank you for your boldness and honesty. I'll be fasting and praying with you!

    Much Love,
    Kathie

    1. Yes, Kathie. We have watched as countries have already closed their doors…whatever they sight their reason as, it doesn't really matter…it is one thing: God's judgment on America and the western world…

      I look at all the things that Christians are so wrapped up in and I want to shout, "You don't get it, do you? You are going to give an account for all your 'stuff' and your lack of care for the orphans {and widows}…and all your time and energy spent on yourself…" God wasn't kidding when He said what He said.

      The cavalier attitude of "I deserve it" is nauseating. We deserve nothing and we have been given SOOOO much…but the reason we have been so much to GIVE to others…freely, generously, in abundance!

      And if you think of it, please pray for Dw, I had to rush him to the hospital last night during Jubilee's birthday celebration….{he's still in}…please pray for healing and wisdom for the doctors who are running all kinds of testing…

    2. Kathie~ Your words take my breath away. I have simply never considered the thought that such a "freedom" could be taken away. My 8 year old daughter, adopted from China last year, is waiting for a heart transplant. I was naive to believe that my fellow Americans would feel compassion for her and applaud this opportunity for her to have life, when China abandoned all efforts to try to save hers. I have been stunned at some of the heartless comments regarding her "stealing" from American children, the medical care that is rightfully "theirs"! How we need a touch from the Lord and an awakening amoung the people of God. Surely Goodness and Mercy ARE following you!!! Thank you for your timely words! Lori McCary http://www.LoriMcCary.com

  8. Count me in Linny! Thank you for your much needed exhortation to those of us that call ourselves Christ-followers. I literally wept as I read about the plight of the orphans in Russia. I have traveled to Russia and done mission work in many of their orphanages, so this hits close to my heart. I was seathing with anger toward the leaders in Russia that refuse to move on behalf of these innocent pawns. Your words awakened my heart to the truth… The problem starts here at home… with me. Still, I am broken for the families so personally affected by this national tragedy. I will be standing with you on Saturday! "Not on our watch!!!" Have mercy, oh God… Lori McCary

  9. My heart hurts for the children that get hurt in all of this, the parents who have said "yes"…I will pray and I will fast. This is NOT ok…it just isn't. I cried as I heard this yesterday…my heart mourns. God never said living for Him was going t be easy…..I am not ok that my son sits on the other side of the world…I will not stop until he is home with us or out of that orphanage.

    1. My friend, Thank you for joining in. We know God CAN move this mountain…but I really believe it will be up to us to be on our knees with prayer and fasting…He loves the orphan and His heart is sickened at all our 'wanton pleasures' with little thought to those who have absolutely nothing. Oh how grieved He must be.

    1. Your "heck yes" made me smile. Thank you Sarah – and it is precisely YOUR generation that has been used by God to wake up us older folks – and no, you guys won't go down without a fight – and the battle really is on our knees!

  10. I will join you and DW and all of the rest of those who love and care for orphans. I am also praying for your sweet husband! Please, let me (us) know how he is and what the docs find with his tests. I love you! ~ Jo

    P.S. Could I copy and paste some of your post to my blog? My vision is getting worse and that's why I have not been blogging. But, I DO want to share the need and ask others to pray.

    1. Jo you can copy and paste whatever…I would appreciate you just link that that's where part of it is from, that way, anyone who would want will be able to go and read and see all that is on God's heart…but copy and paste away! Christians must be challenged to repent, pray and fast…Love to you my friend!

    1. Thank you my precious friend. Whenever I see your name, I always smile. You are a blessing to orphans around the world…and God has used your influence to bring such hope and joy to sooooo many – I am so thankful He created you!

  11. Just last night, my husband and I were talking again about this topic. I don't know what God has for us at the moment, but we are committed to obeying Him at this point by giving the resources we do have to help the orphan and the widow.

    I do know that where I sit, we as believers must also include repentance in our prayers. Repentance for what we've allowed to happen in various people groups in our own countries. Our favorite park here in town used to be the sad sight of the last residential school, where children from First Nation's families were taken from their homes and placed in boarding schools run by a religious denomination. There the children were mistreated, abused in unspeakable ways, and treated as little more than servants. This was happening even during my school age years. And I'm only in my 30's. I've also come into contact with some women who, during the same time period, were unwed mothers and had their babies taken from them without their consent here in Canada. They were put into homes run by various religious groups during their pregnancy where they were held until the birth of their children. These women have been so wounded by the church that they have utterly disregarded Jesus, equating Him as being the same as His followers.

    What some of us have done and declared it to be "in the name of Jesus" is heart-breaking, and does not reflect Jesus accurately. Only He can repair the damage some of us have done in His name.

    In both of those cases, our abuses of adoption and identifying someone as an orphan who was not actually an orphan have brought about great obstacles in adoption and care of those children who are genuinely in need of healthy homes. The system here is quite broken, and it is very hard to know what is true and who truly has the best interests of the child at heart. I have been asking the Lord to help me process this aspect of it all and to know what my role might be.

    I don't know if this is something that is related to what is happening, but I wanted to at least put it out there if it is something we do need to include in our prayer and fasting.

    1. You are so right! I thought I mentioned repentance…maybe just in my comments. I will have to go back and read. Dw was in the hospital as I speedily wrote yesterday…but REPENTANCE is the start!

  12. Im in. You don't really know mebut I've been a reader for awhile and I'm friends with shauna and love, whom you know. We're in the process of adopting a toddler boy from ug*nda, whom I met 2 years ago. I've fasted for him for 2 years-would love to join in a fast for orphans in Russia,many world wide.

    Btw, I have MS. Praying for healing like you experienced!

  13. This is the first time I've heard this about Russia. My heart feels so heavy right now. I will be praying! I recently got an email from our case manager at the adoption agency saying that adoptions are down to the lowest she has seen in nine years.

    I also just read your comment about DW being in the hospital. Praying for him too. Please keep us posted.

    Blessings,
    Amy Patzer

  14. I will join in the day of fasting! I am sooo incredibly blessed in reading your blog which I just recently found thanks to Jess & collins Alinaitwe for telling us about it. We live in northern NY and Jess works with my husband. we are in the early paperwork stage of adopting a waiting child from china. It is our first time but God is already giving us such passion for the orphans and reading blogs like yours just fans the flames even more. God bless you and your treasures abundantly!
    Esther & Steve Glick

  15. I can't join the fast because I'm pregnant, but I will join in prayer. This is so hard for me, I've always had a heart for adoption (since I was a child), and a burden for Africa in particular. However, my husband is completely and totally not on the same page. It's heart breaking to sit here and read all the posts, and see how much good we could do for even ONE little blessing…but not be able to DO anything. So I pray…and cry…and pray some more. That my husband's heart would be changed, or that I would see what it is that God wants me to do with this passion of mine. Bless you, Linny! And I will be praying…

  16. An adoption friend posted this on facebook, encouraging us all to read. My husband and I are one of those in the process of adopting from Russia while this door is closing suddenly. We felt led to fast already. What you shared is truly enlightened revelation from God. Learning about Russian adoptions dropping dramatically in the last 10 years since 2004 per year is a proof of your testament that more and more people in America are not caring for orphans as they should. Thank you, Jasmine Martin

  17. I'm in! So is my husband and a friend. Thanks you so much for your profound words. I shared them on facebook. I wonder also about all of the precious Russian down-syndrome children listed on Reece's Rainbow…the ones that get sent to mental institutions/asylums when they turn 4-6 years old. Their fate is so bleak without adoption. Makes me so sad.

  18. I will join you all on the 29th!! We have learned first hand how countries can change their minds on a whim..an adoption from China denied..after we had already adopted before….with no real answers….I have often wondered if it was a judgement,or a push in another direction from God. We feel urgent to adopt again but also lost, not knowing where….I will a fast and pray also!
    Please let us know about DW.
    In Christ
    Lesa

  19. I am totally going to share this but I don't understand. If He showed you what He's going to do, do you think He's going to change His mind? I truly don't understand. Also, if hearts are being turned toward the orphan, why would He remove His hand now? I don't get it. Not disagreeing, just confused.

    Also, about the prayer in schools.I have heard this over and over and over again lately, but prayer in schools is allowed. It has to be student led and voluntary, but they can read their Bibles, pray, prayer with one another, hold Bible studies, etc… as long as it is student led and voluntary. I am not a fan of the idea of corporate prayer in school because the crazy way things are now, with the equality of religion, etc.. what if they prayed to Allah? I would go off if that happened. This is our daughter's last year in public school though so she will have plenty of prayer in school.

  20. my newly adopted children(home less than two months)were invited to sing and sign a song(Thank You for Giving to the Lord by Ray Boltz) at a local church last May. i wept when they got up there and signed the words "Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed." because you see, the Body of Christ gave us over 70% of our adoption costs. the tandem adoption cost more than we make in an entire year. we adopted on pure faith and ended up not having any debt when it was completed 10 months. we are the working poor who don't care about vacations, buying new, or eating out. we answered the call. period. Jehovah jireh provides all we need.

    well, the pastor's sermon happened to mention adoption and he asked how many of us had adopted. i was the only one in the church that raised their hand. i was dumbstruck. i was a visitor(15% of my home church is comprised of adopted children) and the only one to adopt?! not one in their entire church had adopted? my heart aches for the blindness of the church. the pastor did not go on to preach the merits or God's command to adopt. he merely used it as a point he was making about being adopted into Christ. i sat there hurt and horrified.

    what can we do to open the eyes of the church? we have tried to be examples of what living the gospel looks like, but i see now that it isn't enough. we will join in the fast Saturday. yet, i still feel the need to do more. where can i get trained to go out and teach other churches about the call? is there even such training? i fear if i do it from the place i am in right this moment(soapbox preaching) i will not be effective. gentle andomishment is beyond me right now. i am a ball of raw dismay. every fiber of my being hurts for the fatherless(and i also mean those who do not know God too).

    many said i can't save the world by adopting two older children. they are right. but it is a start. i will not say i've done my part, let someone else do theirs. what else can i do?

    thank you sweet adoption sister for calling on the Body to end the injustice.

    ps we will be storming heaven with prayers for Dw too.

  21. I am so in! I believe we are seeing the condition of the heart. And not the unbelievers heart, but the ones that say they know Him and follow Him. It amazes me when people seemed shocked that I have given up everything for my 3 kids who I have adopted. And if I really want to shock their socks off, just let me mention the desire for more children through adoption as a single mom. They think I am obsessed and that I need to "get on with my life" what????? I thought I read my life is not my own. I get judged for not having a TV or my kids are not in sports blah blah blah. And its funny I feel the comments and judgements have increased lately. People think I am weird or whatever because I like to be with my kids and don't have "me time" I am tired, who isn't and parenting is not for the faint at heart, yet I am content, joyful, thankful and privileged to parent these precious peanuts. It is all I really want to do and my heart is saddened to think I may not be able to have more. It is also very connected because with the condition of the heart not for these precious orphans and littles you cannot care about life at any stage. So forget the poor widow and elderly, they will be forgotten because it is all connected. Alpha and Omega. I am so stinking thankful for this place and I feel so understood and accepted here. I will not give up on the orphan and I will with my family continue to adopt with the Lords help. Sorry this is long but my heart is spilling out and can't be stopped. I feel like people sometimes think oh you are a great person to adopt or like we are heros. No we are not those things we are obedient and want our heartbeat to match His. Lori from Florida. Praying for Dw!

    1. Lori, I really loved your post! I could have written it! We have often been judged by people that don't understand children or adoption! Judged for the lifestyle we choose, homeschooling,adoption, homebirth, etc… Also we have gotten the "hero" bit before and people saying "I could never do that." I always say "Yes you could, if you really wanted too" BTW, we are from FL!! But we're in TX now…
      Hugs
      Lesa

    2. Hi Lesa, oh I have heard the we could never do that as well. So thankful for people like you who have stepped out in faith. Would love to send you an email. Are you still doing your blog? Blessings Lori

  22. Hi Linny,
    I am praying here in Memphis, TN! Our family of 5 will join you and DW in fasting and Praying and I'll link you up on my blog. My heart is broken for a sweet adoptive mommy friend here in town. She has been in process for over 18 months to adopt a precious little girl (I think she is 5) with Down Syndrome. She has already held her, looked in her eyes, told her she loves her and will be back for her. She is SO CLOSE to bringing her home. I am begging the Father to make a way to allow that to happen. I am on my knees clinging to the HOPE that God is working and he is El Roi – the God who sees.

  23. I have thought of this post (the one you did a few years ago) for quite some time now and it was what I thought of immediately following the news of this possibility. May the Lord change us from the inside out. ~Trina Scoda

  24. Linny- I will be joining you on Saturday too. I don't comment much but have been following you for a long time. Thank you for all you do. Your passion for the orphan is contagious. I am praying for DW too. Peace be with you, Sarah

  25. This is amazing. I was hoping that you would have a time of prayer again. We have three treasures, one from Vietnam, one from Korea, one "lifer" from the Philippines. We have a sponsor daughter in Vietnam. For several years, Vietnam has been closed to international adoption, but they have now signed the Hague Treaty and the U.S. and Vietnam are working to make sure that there are no more problems with the process. Please pray that Vietnamese adoptions would resume and that we might be able to bring our daughter home before she ages out of the system.

  26. The list of available countries to adopt from grows short. Couple that with the adoption tax credit dropping off in 2013, and america is in a real pickle. The small number of adoptions happening are going to drop off even further as the financial burden gets too big w/o the tax credit. Russian adoptions are already the most expensive ones at $50,000. Corruption at all levels is the cause of this starting with the birth parents and birth countries. Can't fast but will pray.

    Hilary

  27. Of course my dear friend! Always with you! I've been literally sick to my stomach all day about this and crying out to God for mercy for these precious children of His! Yes yes YES! The answer is always yes!

  28. As I read your post just now, it touched the place of urgency in my heart that the Lord has been nudging. Our sweet ones are from China and I've wondered at how much longer the opportunity will be there for that country as well. Another thing that came to mind is the at risk Adoption Tax Credit. I think the fact that it is at risk again points to what you are writing about…our country's turn from orphans. Orphans are not a priority in the US…in gov't or most sadly among believers…in large part because of greed, as you said.

    Praying with you!

    And praying for you and DW!

  29. Thank you for sharing this! Two of those precious waiting children are my brother and sister. I've met them. I've hugged them. They've whispered pleas for a family in my ear, and I've whispered "yes". The very thought that those that I've spent a year dreaming of, praying for, and preparing for will never come home is worse than unbearable. I will join you in this fast. Thank you for caring, and for choosing to respond!

    1. Awww…we will be contending that they come home. I just have to believe that God will do EXTRA-ORDINARY things to move every single mountain, obstacle and roadblock to bring your brother and sister home. *tears* I just KNOW He will!

  30. Likewise, I am upset by the attitude of many, and am even experiencing it first-hand. My ds's teacher has recently made it quite clear that she is not compassionate toward the orphan–and she teaches at a private Christian elementary school! Her inappropriate remarks to my internationally-adopted son and his home-grown classmates have really shocked and upset me.

    Count me in for the prayers and fasting.

  31. We are ALL IN for prayer and fasting on Saturday. We will not stand by and pretend not to notice. The Holy Spirit has stirred our hearts for the orphan and we will forever be advocates for the children in this world who need a family!! Thank you Linn, for your bold, honest and pure heart for the orphan and courage to share the truth when others are afraid to.
    …and we are on our knees praying for Dwight!!

  32. But why would God withdraw mercy to children (which is what adoption is, yes?) in order to punish selfishness of others? That doesn't make sense to me. I think man did this, not God. Man's selfishness does a lot that hurts children, and we would all do well to repent. I do believe that fasting and praying is the right thing to do, but allow me to respectfully disagree that God would not withdraw blessing that would help children in order to punish people who have chosen wealth over the welfare of children. If he were judging people who are selfish, he would start taking their precious stuff.

    1. I didn't say "God did this"…but His hand of mercy is only extended for so long. You are so right – man did it! While Christians in America built bigger homes, bought more 'toys' to play, 2nd homes to indulge themselves with…spent their money on 'stuff'…..and gave little thought to the orphans and widows – and God's judgment is coming. Not a fun word from Him, but truth is not always fun. He gives each of us a free will, but we will be judged accordingly.

  33. Linny – I am in! I know a family from our church who is in process of adopting 3 children from Russia who have Down Syndrome. I have been praying on their behalf….but will join you in fasting and praying for our country and that God would change our hearts toward the orphans.

  34. I'm with you Linny! There is a family in our church who is in the process of adopting 3 precious little ones from Russia….all who have Down Syndrome. I have been praying for them, but I will fast and pray for our country that God will turn our hearts back to the orphans.

  35. Linni,
    We have trios of Russian orphans in 2001, 2005 and 2010. All nine children are doing fabulously. Our great God is amazing! Currently we are awaiting a court date to add one more set of kiddos to our number. God is blessing us with a group of four siblings–three brothers and their little sister. We are PRAYING!!!

    Thank you for the permission to make use of your post. I put in a link into our blog and added some challenges of our own. We're at www,untohimwelive.blogspot.com

    My husband and I will be praying for your husband. Bless your hearts. BTW, your family is absolutely beautiful!

    Denise

  36. I love your heart!!!! God laid it on my heart as a ten year old..the desire to adopt children of all nationalities. I have always wanted to adopt from Korea, Vietnam, Haiti ect. I waited many many years but finally as a single adult in her 50"s he started opening doors. Five years ago I adopted a sibling group of six and last week I just finalized the adoption of a sibling group of four..all adopted from the U.S. foster care system. I have spotted another sibling group of six that I would love to bring home but there are many roadblocks in the way. We will see what doors he opens or if the door closes. My heart is still with international adoption but unless my yearly income multiplies many times over…I will continue to adopt in the U.S. I too have watched the doors close to different countries and have felt the pain. There have been moments when I questioned the possibility of moving to another country to live and adopt the orphans. As of right now that is not what God is asking of me. Last week when I finalized the adoption of the four a friend who was there asked me..is this it or do you have a number of children in mind? I smiled and said, "No" I didn't think it was it and "No" I didn't have a number in mind. I have said over and over to the Lord that if he would open the doors..I will walk through!! Linny you are so "right on" with what the Lord is saying concerning the orphan…people don't get it. I don't know how many times I have been told by people…"you are crazy", "how do you ever find time for yourself", "those kids in the foster care system are trouble and they will destroy your life", "didn't you ever want to get married and have your own children", You have a house full when you should be free to enjoy your later years..ect. Lord Jesus, Here I am…send me or bring the orphans to me!

  37. Hi, Linny ~
    I am a first-time poster here… YES, count me in for fasting and prayer on Saturday! Thank you for the call to action.
    By the way, my husband is an example of a cushy-retirement-seeking Christian turned into a SOLD OUT Christian Soldier for the Orphan! You gotta love it when God changes a middle-aged man's lifelong dream of a vacation in Hawaii into instead, a 2-week trip to Ch*na to bring home a special needs treasured SOUL. God changes hearts, praise HIS mighty and wonderful name! If we are called by His name, it is time for us to WAKE UP and HEAR HIS VOICE!
    Wendy
    Mom of seven: one married, five at home, and one jewel who waits for us in Ch*na

  38. Sorry, I found the answer to my question. He can change His mind, or He already knew what was going to happen He's just waiting on us to do what's right. I was reading Numbers last night and He was burning with rage at the Israelites for their lack of faith and lack of doing the right thing, but Moses and Aaron would intercede and He would restrain His anger. I'm reading through the Bible from cover to cover in an effort to undo some of the incorrect theology I was trained to believe growing up, so right now I kind of feel like I know precious little about Him. I am on a journey to learn though. I hope I didn't sound argumentative in my previous post when I was asking questions. Praying!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Julie, I did not think you sounded argumentative. I have to say, I am soooo proud of you for reading the Bible through {and for posting a second comment in response to your first} Almighty God will speak to you as you do and you will understand things that didn't make sense before.

      The thing about God is that He created man with a free will. We can freely choose to follow Him {or not}. Each person can choose to accept Him as their savior and receive the free gift of salvation, or they can not choose that. He is a gentleman and will not force Himself on anyone.

      He has also given the wealthy western world the freedom to use their time and resources how they wish…His word stresses from beginning to end, that we are to care for the orphan, widow, poor, oppressed, visit those imprisoned for following Christ, etc….instead most of our time is spent on nothing that really matters…

      AND in the end, the only thing that matters is people seeing Jesus in us and coming to know Him…so when our free will and all our resources have been wasted on stupid things that don't matter, we will have to answer for it. We can do what we want…but we will give an account for it all. Sadly America's day of reckoning is coming. And "nice" people will suddenly find themselves wondering why they wasted their time, energy, resources on stuff that in the end didn't matter at all. It's a scary thought to this mama. I have wasted time, energy and resources on stuff that didn't matter. I have repented. I have still done it sometimes, but I'm getting better…

      The orphans/the widows {the modern day widow is the single mom}/the oppressed, etc…all matter to God and they must matter to us. They must matter day in and day out…not a token, "here's 5 dollars at the end of the year"…

      My family and I have become 'orphan addicts'…and we are thankful that He can use our family in any way He chooses…as we daily yield to Him.

      Bless you my friend as you continue to dig in! ~Linny

    2. Thank you for your response!!! I'm so glad you read it in the heart I wrote it. The written word is so limited sometimes! I completely agree with everything you wrote for sure. My husband and I will never be able to adopt due to some on paper diagnosis, but I realized that I there is more than I can do. I have squandered so much time and money it is ridiculous and I too have had to repent and have a long way to go. I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and let's just say, convicting!! Today I was getting groceries with my daughter when we wandered through the Christmas clearance aisle. Immediately I was checked about not needing to spend money on those things.

      The Lord has revealed to me that I have no been practicing self control or sacrificing in many many areas of my life. I try to choose a word that I want to be my theme for the year and my theme for 2013 is discipline. I am volunteering at http://www.isabelshouse.org/ and http://rarebreed.thekitcheninc.org/ starting in January as well. As well as reading through the Bible from cover to cover, I am going to spend several months at least, digging into the book of James until it seeps into my marrow. Thank you so much for all of your posts and sharing. You are such an inspiration to me.

  39. Oh thank you Linny! Amen!
    As we wait for our referral and court date for our boys in EE, I can only imagine the pain of those in the process for loved ones in Russia! I am weeping with them..but I will pray with them as well!
    May we have eyes to see and ears to hear! Please Lord, take the scales away!!

    thankful for the miracle for DW!
    laurie

  40. Linny I have been a "lurker" (commenting maybe once or twice only) for a few years now. Never gave I been so moved by your posts-and I am often moved, believe me, but this just makes my heart sick. I also have never fasted before, nor felt such a calling to do so-until now. I absolutely will be fasting and I thank you for your heart.
    P.s. so glad D.W. ("Ruby's daddy" by my 4 yr old) is feeling better! What a miracle 🙂

  41. I found your blog back in fall of 2009, when the Lord woke us up to adoption! Since then we have adopted 3 lil girls and created Justice Village where , among many other things, take the message of Justice for the Fatherless to the Church to wake them up! We take Sunday mornings to show how this is our DUTY …NOT a calling. We are truly plowing hard ground….Praying with you!
    Blessings,
    Mindy and Denny
    justicevillage.org

  42. Your post hit me like a freight train! I am stirred beyond belief at your heart cry & your prophetic dream! I so believe it's from the Lord. And ache (have always ached) for the plight of the orphan. We are a family who domestically adopted a beautiful AA girl. We have also fostered for nearly 9 years. However, lately, it seems, God is awakening something new in me. Prayed & fasted the first 3 days of this year that my husband will hear it also. It is the cry for China. For those waiting. Oh Lord, let our eyes shift from ourselves, from our carnal fears, & let our voice cry reach to the heavens…"Not on my watch"!
    Jen
    http://richfaithrising.blogspot.com/

  43. I loosely follow your blog, and really appreciated this post! As a single gal, I adopted one child internationally (Romania), and another via foster care. Soon after my second adoption, I met the man of my dreams and we married. We just had our first biological child–she's not quite ten weeks old. My heart is crushed over the closing of Russia to American adoptions. It's absolutely horrible for these children to be used as pawns. I worked as a volunteer in some of the orphanages in Eastern Europe and no child should have to grow up in those circumstances. I have heard many people comment that the closing doesn't make them feel bad because Americans should "adopt from home" and there are plenty of foster kids that need good homes. While clearly there are plenty of foster kids that need homes, I believe that ALL children deserve the love and stability that comes with a family, no matter where they live. Having said that, between the CT shooting and the closing of adoptions in Russia, I feel renewed passion that I want my life to count for something. My husband is in full-time Christian camping ministry, and I'm a teacher whose maternity leave ends next week. I'm returning until the end of the year, but then strongly contemplating staying home to have more available time to work in and advocate for children to gain permanency. Unfortunately, we're not sure how/if we can make that work financially, but I greatly admire how you and your husband are doing just that. Currently, we work a great deal with the foster care system as that seems to be the easiest way for us to be involved with kids that need help given the other children in our family and their needs (we have one with physical special needs and another with behavioral special needs).

  44. I am late in finding this, but I'm so glad I did – I clearly remember your original blog post about this and still have it bookmarked because it is one of the main things God used to propel us into adoption. We brought home our two adopted children four months ago. Thank you for your words and boldness! They are causing many to move!

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