Monday, April 18, 2011

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.

14 comments:

  1. Wow! That is awesome!!!! Will be praying for you guys :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You guys are amazing....true hearts showing God's wonderful love! So excited for you guys! Can't wait to hear more and see pics of your new precious baby! Praying for God's favor and provision in every situation!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can completely understand your decision. What a joy and an honor to raise this little girl! I am so happy for you all. I pray for great peace in the process as the Lord works out all of the details. Praise the Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So excited and happy for you Christal....I know Elizabeth with be loved and will know the hope she has in Jesus......

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love it! I hope to have this honor someday, but for now I will be filled with happiness for you guys! I pray God's blessing over your family in every possible way.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is amazing! We know she will be loved by many! I hope to get this chance in the future!

    Shelby

    ReplyDelete
  7. my heart is so full right now. you are about to embark on an amazing journey. as someone who has raised my sister's 2 youngest children (this week makes 4 years of blessings). you truly cannot imagine how much love God will give you for this little girl. i will be praying and i know God will provide.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much everyone for all your encouragement! We are truly blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great blog here Christal. :) This is so awesome! How exciting! We have a whole army of friends who have recently become foster parents and/or adopted and this is one of life's greatest blessings! So happy for all of you! May God bless you and your family as you embark on this new journey and all that God has called you to do!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I know God will Bless You and Your family; as all of you become God's Hands extended to Elizabeth Hope. I'll be praying that God's favor will be on the adoption proceedings and His favor will continue to be on all of you. God Bless You All, Vicki Berst Lewsader

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so excited to have a new cousin, well niece! I am making her a little something from Auntie Ash! Love you both and we can't wait to meet her!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yay Ashley! I've seen your goodies on facebook, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is AMAZING!!! I'm so happy for you all. God is good, and He will work out the details. So exciting!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. H ey Christal,congratulations to you guys on your newest addition. Matt and I have felt the same way about adoption and last year we had a devastating failed adoption and it was heart wrenching. God sW us thtrou and he has now blessed us with a 3 mos. old little boy whom we have had since he was one week old. we have named him Ethan Samuel and we are smitten. I just wanted you to know thatwe are praying for you guys and ask you to pray for us, as you k ow, all the legalities, finances and paperwork can get taxing at times. love ya!

    ReplyDelete