As a mom, I generally know where my children are. One loves being next to me, stepping on my feet, sitting in my lap or running laps around the house. The other two are currently into wrestling, swinging on vines like Tarzan, playing or chasing baby goats. It's wonderful! However, for a while now I have felt like I don't know where some of my kids are. I am not talking about the boys but the children yet to be adopted into our family. Since getting our residency our hearts and efforts immediately went to figuring out the next steps for us to adopt locally in Costa Rica. I have at least two more kids that are not in my home yet, they are somewhere in Costa Rica but I don't know where they are and that is hard because this Momma wants her kids to be together! For right now, God has asked me to wait on Him.
We have two more rooms in our house that are empty. They have paint, tile, a fan and the trim is done. We were calling them the new rooms because no one is living in them. One night Josh and I were sitting down at the table talking about light switch covers and out came the words, "The girls room need some." We looked at each other and teared up. They are now referred to as our daughters rooms. Or as Judah likes to say, "This is my sisters room. Now let's go to my room."
Currently we are still waiting. We are have completed the first of many steps in the process. However; there are still so many unknowns and uncontrollable things. It is easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed just waiting for an email or phone call. Yet, I know that God is teaching us something, and it is worth it. We have seen so many answered prayers already, from meetings arranged, friends translating, kids being watched, our marriage becoming stronger, the boys begging us to get their sisters home, encouraging words, and the lists goes on. Adoption is not about us. Adoption is a beautiful picture of the Gospel.
Over 4 years ago Josh wrote a blog on adoption and the gospel. He also has the opportunity to teach on adoption when teams come down to help. He talks about the earthly struggles that come with adopting; paperwork, time, tears, the unknown, the letdown either pre-adoption or during the adoption process and the financial cost. The cost is something that we had a hard time swallowing. Why was it so expensive? Why was there so much waiting? Why doesn't God allow it to be easier? And then God....(always, right?) gently reminded us, "Do you realize how much it cost me? It cost me my Son." (For more on this check this blog out The cost of adoption )
Josh ends the message by encouraging the students, adults, teachers, doctors, lawyers, construction workers, and retiree's to actively be a part of adoption. Whether that means to physically adopt, financially give, or sacrifice time for families that are adopting, we all have the opportunity to take part. Adoption is not about us. It is a beautiful picture of the Gospel.
We would like to share with you a few things that we are praying for in the adoption.
1. Sibling set of 2
2. At least one girl
3. Timely meetings, paper work and so forth.
4. God prepares us and our kids hearts for this big family
5. That we make much of Jesus
6. Provision of finances
Since we are adopting as Costa Rican residence we are able to adopt domestically. This comes with a much cheaper price tag. However, we are in need of some additional funds. We project that it will cost around $10,000 to complete the process. It may be a little more or less. We are also looking for additional monthly financial partners as our monthly support has dropped in the past 3 months. If you would like to partner with us in this kingdom building/ family building opportunity please visit the link below to give a tax deductible gift. If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us please email me and Josh at allimcarthur@gmail.com and joshmc6@gmail.com.
For a one time gift click HERE
You can visit 68ministries.com and select McArthur family to find how you can give monthly.
Turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
