This is so much bigger than the Thomas family.

          I was so encouraged at Church last week.  Just when I began to feel sorry for myself, because I have not heard a word from our agency regarding our paperwork, something really cool happened.  A family from our church brought their baby girl home from China.  How encouraging.  I can’t even explain in words how much seeing that little girl with her forever family encouraged me.  They have been waiting for years.  How dare I feel sorry for myself after the wait they’ve had.  On top of that, a great friend’s sister brought her two domestically adopted twin boys to church. God is good! 

          Sunday school was interesting as well.  The discussion was about how so many people do things that should be for God’s glory, but many do those things for show or for their own recognition.  Of course, my mind went straight to this blog.  I don’t want this blog to be about me.  I have been a bit surprised by the response to this thing.   I really didn’t think anyone would read it.  Seriously.  At first, I really felt uncomfortable when people would say things like “I think it’s great what you are doing.”   The reason I couldn’t understand is because we are getting so much more out of this adoption than we could possibly give. I really don’t feel like a hero.  We are truly blessed to get to add another Thomas to this world.  I thank God every single day for our child in Haiti.  Just like I longed to hold Kynady and Elijah in my arms way before they were even born, I feel the same way about our third child.   Just like I couldn’t wait to find out pink or blue, I can’t wait to find out if our new baby will be a boy or a girl. I can’t wait to see what he/she looks like.  I can only imagine what he’ll be when he grows up, or if she’ll be a girly girl like Kynady.  Those thoughts are what keep me from going insane with worry.   

           I really appreciate the people who have approached me to say what a blessing this blog has been to them.   I have been so encouraged!  I like to think that I am strong and tough and have it together.  You know, I’m the big, bad basketball coach; but the reality is that I need encouragement now more than ever!  I am weak.    It wasn’t until Sunday that I understood how valuable those encouraging words have been, and how thankful I am for the people willing to share.

           I am so thankful for God’s assurance daily that He is with us and will be with us every step of the way.  I have grown more in faith the last six months than in my entire life.  For that, I will be forever grateful.  I am amazed and fortunate that God can use something so amazing to teach me patience and faithfulness.   Now, I understanding that God is using this blog and our adoption in a way I never thought possible.  It never occurred to me that maybe God has more in mind.  I have heard so many times that God can take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary.  I want our adoption to be a blessing to others and maybe, just maybe, we can encourage others to take the same leap of faith.  As I sat in the balcony at church and looked out at all of the families that have adopted, I couldn’t help but to think that God has something major in the works for our church and our community.  I think Sunday was a glimpse of something special, and our adoption is just a sliver in the plan. Incredible.