It Just So Happens...

Our pastor had a wonderful message for us from the book of Esther this past Sunday. I love the book of Esther. When I study this book I always see a wonderful picture of submission and service in her life. Honestly, rarely have I stopped to think about the way this story plays out, all the things that had to "fall" into place for the Jews to be saved. I have given that thought process just a small amount of my time, because obviously God was working His plan. This past Sunday our pastor did a wonderful job of really bringing out all the things that had to be in place in order for this plan to play out. He then left us with the encouragement to think about the way the Lord has lined things up in our own lives, to bring about His plan and ultimately bring Him glory. I have thought about this many times from the perspective of meeting my beloved, and all that "just so happened" to bring us together. This time with adoption on my mind, and our children home just two short months from Uganda, I began to think about all that took place to make them a part of our family.

It just so happens that six years ago we had no one in our lives speaking the truth to us. The truth of the blessings of children and God's sovereignty.

It just so happens that Richard had a vasectomy.

It just so happens that just a short time after that surgery the Lord began to work on our hearts about the blessings of children.

It just so happens that as a result we had a deep desire for more children in our home.

It just so happens that we had saved just enough money for a reversal with a new doctor in Oklahoma.

It just so happens that we felt led to join a new church.

It just so happens that this church had a man coming to speak about Uganda.

It just so happens that during that same time my beloved felt a very strong pull to go to Uganda, with this man and others from our church.

It just so happens that he will leave for this trip two months after his reversal.

It just so happens that I have the first of several miscarriages while he is in Uganda.

It just so happens that while in Uganda, he falls in love with Uganda and especially the children of Uganda.

It just so happens that one year passes, and it is June 2007. At a church picnic,our pastor says to my beloved "Richard, I think by this time next year you will be holding your own baby."

It just so happens that my beloved's reply to that was "I can hold two."

It just so happens that I believed that was a word form the Lord as it is so out of character for our pastor to say such things.

It just so happens that in October of that same year, I find myself pregnant again. To be due in June.

It just so happens that, the pregnancy ended in loss.

It just so happens that I completely lost it at this time. Questioning everything I believe about God and His faithfulness.

It just so happens that our dear friends FINALLY received their referral for a sweet little China doll.

It just so happens we were with them when that call came.

It just so happens at this time that my beloved's income suddenly triples. It is now three times higher than it has EVER been.

It just so happens that my beloved attends a men's conference. During which he is convinced that we should adopt. From Uganda.

IT just so happens that when he comes home I plan to tell him that this trying to have more children thing, is just too much for me. I plan to tell him that either it is time to seriously look at adoption, or give up.

It just so happens that the day I have decided to tell him this, is the same day he has decided to tell me he wants to adopt.

It just so happens I let him talk first.

It just so happens that I was floored when he told me the news, until he said Uganda.

It just so happens that I had already looked in to adopting from Uganda, and found that it was nearly impossible.

It just so happens that he was convinced that our children were in Uganda.

It just so happens that a good friend finds Welcome Ministries during a google search this same week.

It just so happens that they are in Uganda, and had been very successful at placing children.

It just so happens that we were given a list containing the names of children that were available for adoption to pray over.

It just so happens that we felt drawn to William and Marissa.

It just so happens that we gave this same list to several friends, and they too felt William and Marissa were the ones.

It just so happens that each time fees were due, the exact amount was in our bank account.

It just so happens that when we found out Richard's 15 year old DUI had not been cleared up like we thought it was, that I had kept the paper work, all these years to prove it was cleared. (If you know me at all, you know that this alone is a miracle of Biblical proportions)

It just so happens that the county attorney in Kansas had the right to force this back to court because the paperwork had not been filed, which he said he normally does.

It just so happens that he is a really nice guy and worked his tail off to provide paperwork saying this had been cleared 15 years ago not in 2008.

It just so happens that we have great friends, that I trust totally with my children, and that they were more than willing to watch them while we are in Uganda.

It just so happens that we were leaving in May, my beloved will have two children in his arms exactly one year since that word was spoken.

It just so happens that the first week in Uganda I have major PMS, culture shock, and various other emotional issues that cause me to have panic...lots of it.

It just so happens that Richard was in Uganda two years before and made some friends.

It just so happens that those friends have built a home for the purpose of housing missionaries.

It just so happens that they have room for us and our two new children. They willingly open there home to us.

It just so happens that this is exactly what I need to curb that panic that had over taken me.

I just so happens that everything about our adoption was going smoothly, especially as far as Africa is concerned.

It just so happens that what should have been the "easiest" part of this process is the most difficult and takes nearly two weeks.

It just so happens that this delays our going home a week.

It just so happens that I get Malaria.

It just so happens that if we had gone home when expected, I would have came down with this Malaria while here in the US. The costs of hospitalization here in the states would have been more than we could have ever covered. But, it just so happens, that in Uganda it was very affordable.

It just so happens, that in seven months the impossible adoption was completed.

It just so happens that one month after we get home with our children, we loose the contract that had tripled our income and paid for nearly all our adoption.

It just so happens that when we left Uganda I never wanted to go back.

It just so happens that God is the changer of hearts.

It just so happens that I long to go back to Uganda.

It just so happens that we serve an Amazing and Awesome God. He truly is sovereign over all things.

It just so happens that His word is true. Even in our suffering He is working out His plan, for His glory and our good.

It just so happens that I am His, chosen before the foundation of the world. Predestined for adoption.

It just so happens that William and Marissa were chosen before the foundation of the world, to be predestined for adoption...into our family.

It just so happens that what our Lord plans He brings to pass. In His time and His way, always for His glory.

It just so happens that I want to worship Him for His magnificent grace.

May He forever be praised.