oh my!

We joyfully introduce the newest addition to our family! Our precious, sweet little LilyBeth…

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Isn’t she absolutely beautiful? She is fearfully and wonderfully made, and hand picked by God for our family. That fact is so humbling…and exciting!

We are in awe of His amazing love and grateful for the journey He is taking us on. His hand has been evident in every detail thus far, and we are confident we will watch in wonder as He continues to do what only He can do.

It’s still going to be a while before we bring her home. But this gives us time to plan, prepare, and wait…some more. So many different kinds of waiting in the adoption process. Fortunately the Lord uses each wait to teach us invaluable lessons; lessons we wouldn’t learn without those waits.

Please join us in praying for our LilyBeth:
•Pray for her health and protection over these next months;
•Pray for the people who are caring for her right now;
•Pray for the rest of the process to bring her home…that it will go smoothly and quickly;
•Pray for us as we prepare to bring her home and as we learn the best care plan for her once she is home.

As we’ve said before…your prayers and support are appreciated more than words can express!

In pursuit of His call,

the Jacksons

Elizabeth Wilson, Brooke Everett Greene, Jewel J. McRoberts, Tona Matthews Ottinger, Wendy Provence, Jamie Long Hausgen, Charlotte Smith Hullender, Mike Colley, Stephanie Bogott Huwer, Kristin 'Veach' Thompson, Gina White Travis, Nikki Huffstetler, Britainy Lewman Sholl, Susan Holt Resendez, Rhonda Easley Jones, Molly Cottrell Norris, Randy Jackson, Kristi Stockman Kavicky liked this post
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it’s the simple things

Funny how something so seemingly simple…one little word…can cause such joy for Randy and me. And probably for all the adoptive mommies and daddies out there.

…matched…isn’t that the most exciting word you’ve ever heard? Well, it’s now typed beside our agency’s web page listing of our baby girl. That thrills this adoptive mom & dad and we cannot wait until the day we bring her home!

However, the sweet girl right above her still needs a forever family. We’re praying our agency receives her files very, very soon. And that she is matched with her forever family, too. And that…if God sees fit…we are her forever family!

In pursuit of His call,

the Jacksons

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guess what?!

Since our last post, we’ve said “yes” to the Lord on pursuing the sweet little one we were seeking Him about! How could we not?! YES!!! And embarked on more paperwork…a Letter of Intent (actually a packet of various paperwork and not just a letter) that is sent to China, requesting permission to adopt her.

So yesterday was quite possibly the best. Monday. ever! Our agency emailed us…the subject line: Pre-Approval! The first sentence: “Congratulations we have received your pre-approval for your little one!” Aren’t those exciting words?!

She is the most precious little treasure! Cannot wait to show y’all her picture! She’s already got all our love and she is oh so definitely worth facing every single fear!

“You thrill me, LORD, with all You have done for me! I sing for joy because of what You have done.” (Psalm 92:4 NLT)

“Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy!” (Psalm 126:3 NLT)

In pursuit of His call,

the Jacksons

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worth facing any fear

A quick update and request for prayer. Our dossier is being authenticated, then will be sent to China! Yay! Isn’t that exciting!

Actually…our agency may have the authenticated paperwork back by now. They were expecting to receive it this past Monday.

But we haven’t even asked if they did get it; we’ve been busy talking with them about a precious little “least of these”. And seeking the Lord, begging for His clear guidance. And talking with our pediatrician. And gathering information. And seeking the Lord more…continuously, to be honest.

Our God is so sweet, and so faithful! He’s been using the following song, All of Me by Matt Hammitt, to speak to us the last couple days. And wouldn’t you know…it came on the radio right in the middle of writing that last paragraph! Oh…how He loves us! How He loves the least of the these! How He wants us to love the least of these…in tangible ways!

Afraid to love
Something that could break
Could I move on
If you were torn away
And I’m so close
To what I can’t control
I can’t give you half my heart
And pray He makes you whole

You’re gonna have all of me
You’re gonna have all of me
‘Cause you’re worth every falling tear
You’re worth facing any fear
You’re gonna know all my love
Even if it’s not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me
Is where I’ll start

I won’t let sadness
Steal you from my arms
I won’t let pain keep you from my heart
I’ll trade the fear of all that I could lose
For every moment I’ll share with you

You’re gonna have all of me
You’re gonna have all of me
‘Cause you’re worth every falling tear
You’re worth facing any fear
You’re gonna know all my love
Even if it’s not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me
Is where I’ll start

Heaven brought you to this moment
It’s too wonderful to speak
You’re worth all of me
You’re worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you
Even if I bleed
You’re worth all of me
You’re worth all of me

Please pray with and for us to know the direction He wants us to take, then have the courage to take it. It won’t be an easy path…but we’re not called to a life of ease and comfort. No…our lives are not our own.

In pursuit of His call,
the Jacksons

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an extraordinary God!

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What a blessing adoption is to our family! It is overwhelming to think that God chose to involve us in His magnificent plan to care for orphans. We’re just ordinary people…serving an extraordinary God!

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families…” (Psalm 68:5, 6a NLT) Cannot wait to see who He has handpicked to join our family next! Humbled at the very thought.

In pursuit of His call,

the Jacksons

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