God, working His plan…

When I woke up this morning, I was struck with a thought.

There are specific women in the Bible listed as having had their wombs closed by God for a time. God had a plan, and He was going to unfold His plan, in His time, for His reasons.

Sarah: the mother of Isaac.
Rebekah: the mother of Jacob.
Rachel: the mother of Joseph.
Hannah: the mother of Samuel.
Elizabeth: the mother of John the Baptist (the one born to proclaim the coming of the Savior—Jesus)

Did you catch it?
God closed these women’s wombs, and when He opened them, He gave a boy.
And, God used these men mightily!

Derek and I keep marveling over the fact that we are getting a boy. For years and years Derek had desired girls. Therefore, it was easy to plan for multiple daughters knowing that each dress, tiara, “glass slipper”, etc. would be passed down and used numerous times. (And Cherish is girly-girly…dresses, tiaras, jewelry, princesses, and dolls mark her life right now.)

We did not plan for a boy—thus the reason we don’t have a name.

That all changed last Sunday during the morning worship service. Upon returning home Derek told me that he felt led to change our adoption profile to “either”—that we would accept either a boy or a girl. Long story short, we electronically put in a form to our agency telling them of our interest. By Sunday evening, Derek found Zan Cheng on their website, we talked together and then sent an e-mail to our agency asking if the little one was still available. He was.

We began walking forward, and so far on this journey, “doors” have swung open before us. We have stood in awe and marveled over and over again.

Never, never did we think when we woke up last Sunday morning that we would be China-bound in such a short time. Derek was planning for about three more years in the future. But, God. He had a plan, and He is working out His plan in His timing!

God also reminded me this morning that I had once reverently prayed for children that would be bold proclaimers of Christ. And, I had prayed for a boy. A boy.

Another note-worthy thought: adopted children had a huge part to play in the Bible as well. Take Moses and Esther for example. Moses—one of the leaders of Israel and the author of the first five books of the Bible. Esther—became queen and saved her people (the Israelites) from annihilation.

So, Zan, we are excited to see what plans God has for you in the upcoming years.

Your mom and dad are so excited about bringing you home and are working hard to bring you home quickly. We L♥VE you IMMENSELY! (Actually, we are head-over-heels in love with you!)