New Life and Redemption

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to blog again! So much transition has taken place since the last blog. We moved from our home in San Angelo to a few months of fundraising in Dallas and in Durham, NC for 6 weeks now. Addie will be 3 in less than 2 months and Ethan is trying to crawl. Our house on Duke street is coming together slowly but surely. I love walking at the Freshman campus seeing students and faculty walking the grounds. Still can't get over the beauty of this place with is grand stone buildings, towering trees and budding flowers at every corner. We love it here. All that's missing is all our loved ones being close by.

While there is plenty to talk about with being in a new place we also have a BIG new announcement. But first let me tell you a little bit about how it all came about. Two months ago I finally started reading a book that's been on my Kindle for months now. It's called "Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman about the love and loss in a tragic accident of their 5 year old daughter they adopted from China. She tells the story of how they adopted 3 girls from China and beauty of it all. My heart was stirred for those who didn't have a home and needed love, not only our love but the love of Jesus. I really believe it was the Holy Spirit prompting me to read this book at this time. Little did I know it was preparing my heart for our own adoption. I've not really been one to claim that I was going to adopt one day. I always thought if God dropped that in our laps and I knew He wanted us to then I would. That's pretty much what happened. A few weeks ago we got word that one of Lennon's family members had had a baby girl and was in a bad situation and had left the baby without a home. As Lennon and I talked this over, we really couldn't get away from the feeling that this is a chance to do something very close to the heart of God. And regardless of all that is going on in our lives right now, we can't think of anything as important as giving this little girl a life and introducing her to a saviour one day.

Though it is a sad situation we are very excited to be adding this new joy to our lives. We are naming her Elizabeth Hope. Elizabeth means "God is my promise or oath" and Hope for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Our request is that you all will pray for the process, court proceedings, finances, etc. that are necessary for this type of thing. Pray for the baby's health, and that God's hand would guide the situation. I will be able to pick her up in Texas in 3 weeks or so. I will be updating my blog about our journey. Thank you for all your love and support. God Bless, The Nolands.