and the greatest of these is love....

When I received the phone call yesterday that we were approved by America World to move forward with our adoption in Ethiopia I was moved to tears.  I could not believe that after applying on Saturday we were already approved on Tuesday when the estimated time frame is 10 business days to review an application.   After receiving the phone call, I immediately contacted Nic to inform him of the good news.  We decided that we wanted to tell our family and friends immediately and because deep down we knew that God was going to help us through the application process we already had the letter written that we wanted to send.  It was not until we began sending the letters and reviewing the paperwork that the reality of the situation began to sink in.  I, myself, was filled with so many emotions all at once: excitement, anticipation, and pure bliss.  But I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t a little scared as well.   

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” 

Psalm 18:2 

We truly have to trust God in everything we do; this adoption is no exception to that.  We have to remain faithful.  God knows what we can handle.  He knows our limits and while he may test us, he will never give us more than what we can bear.  He will be our strength during this process and while it may be scary at times, he will build us up and give us the strength we need to proceed.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31 

God knows what is best for our family and while it may be scary to step out into the unknown, we must not lose hope.  God will provide.  We must continue to pray for ourselves, our family and our child we have not met.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

And most importantly, we have to remember why we wanted to begin this process in the first place…because of love.  We love this child.  And in the end, isn’t that the greatest gift we can give another human?

There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

God answers prayers....

Today I was on my way home and I was praying to God that this adoption is his will not mine. I was questioning my strength and courage. I asked God to show me again that this is his will and not mine. As I finished my prayers and dried my tears this song came on the radio...

Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me

Will we leave behind the innocent too brief

On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun

These could be our daughters and our sons

And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating

I know my God won’t let them be defeated

Every child has a dream to belong and be loved

[Chorus:]

Boys become kings, girls will be queens

Wrapped in Your majesty 

When we love, when we love the least of these

Then they will be brave and free

Shout your name in victory

When we love when we love the least of these

When we love the least of these

Break our hearts once again

Help us to remember when

We were only children hoping for a friend

Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten

Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open

[Chorus]

If not us who will be like Jesus

To the least of these

If not us tell me who will be like Jesus

Like Jesus to the least of these

Boys become kings, girls will be queens

Wrapped in your majesty

When we love, when we love the least of these

Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory

We will love we will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these

We will love the least of these 

We will love the least of these

I'm sorry I ever questioned you LORD!!! YOU ARE MY STRENGTH!!!!!

And the journey begins....

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope that we find you all well.  The change of the season has been welcomed and long awaited as the winter comes to a close and the beauty of spring begins.  I can’t help but look around and see all the wonders that God has strategically placed in our immediate surroundings.  We are truly blessed to live in a country where we are able to enjoy these privileges.  Every day I give praise to our Savior for all that he has provided me through his grace and mercy.  All of our basic needs are provided for far beyond what is necessary for survival.  Our God is an amazing God.

It is at this point that we would like to introduce you to a very special little person. Most likely this individual does not know of the warm and loving embrace of a mother or father.  He or she does not know what it feels like to be kissed and tucked in at night.  He or she does not live in a loving, caring, safe home.  He or she is lacking in proper medical attention and nutrition.  He or she is a child.  A child that will never know what it is like to thrive and flourish in a loving Christian home if it weren’t for America World Adoption Agency. 

Currently Nic and I are in the process of adopting an orphan from Ethiopia.  You may ask “Why Ethiopia when there are so many children in America suffering?”  Currently in Ethiopia there are 4.3 million orphans.  There are more orphan children in Africa than care givers that can provide for them.  It is not uncommon for children to be abandoned and left to defend for themselves.  However, due to poverty, disease and lack of resources many of these children do not survive.   

Religion that God Our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

When God first put adopting a child on our hearts, my first thought was: What if it were my child?  Wouldn’t I want someone to take Jaxon or Evelynn in and give them hope and a future?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Jeremiah 29:11

God has given Nic and I the loving capability to take in a child who is not biologically ours and through his grace and strength give this child a future with a family who loves them as much as if we birthed them ourselves.  But we can’t do this alone.  We need your prayers for continued strength during this long and at times emotionally and financially draining process.  In addition to your prayers, any financial contributions would be appreciated beyond measure. 

We are looking forward to this journey of bringing home our son or daughter.  As we continue on we will keep you updated with any progress.

God Bless.

Nic, Nicole, Jaxon and Evelynn Ayres