Wednesday, February 25, 2009

How we came to the decision

Last year when we went to get Adiah from China I "knew" we were done. The road to Adiah was a joyous one but a long and difficult one as well. I was a mommy to 4 children whom I loved and they kept me busy!!! So as far as I was concerned our family was complete. This past summer we moved to Midlothian and life got super busy with gymnastics 4 nights a week, sports, horse lessons, Brian's promotion which was good but more work, and a toddler! Actually life was so busy that is was hard to hear the Lord at all sometimes. So we made decisions. I know not all families can make these decisions but we knew that we couldn't go on living the rest of our lives at that pace. So we slowed down. We cut activities out. We reevaluated. And we began hearing again. And it was GOOD! And still is! So late fall I began dreaming again with the Lord. Really about where he wanted us. Where did he want us to "go". And he began revealing! One night in December I had a dream. I dreamed I was running a marathon through Disney World. And it was easy. I was running very smoothly and wasn't getting winded at all. Along the way I see a beauty shop and decided to hop off the path for a minute and get my hair cut. Well, when I walked in, the lady said "Oh, good. You're here. I need you to cut hair for me." I said "But I can't...I don't know how to do that. Maybe if I cut straight across but I can't do new styles". And then she said "Don't worry. You'll figure it out." So I started cutting new hairstyles for ladies. Then I decided I needed to get back to the marathon so I hop out and start running again. In the distance I see Brian holding a baby. I only see the back of the baby's head so in my mind I think Brian is holding Adiah. As I get closer Brian turns around and I see an Asian baby with a cleft lip. And I knew it wasn't Adiah. I finish the race. So I wake up from that dream sort of laughing. I told Brian about it and he laughed too. I even said that day..."Oh dear. If God wants us to adopt again he is going to have to give me the desire because I don't want to adopt again." And really neither did Brian. Or let me just say...it wasn't on our radar. So days go by and I realize that I've been thinking an awful lot about that dream and it scared me. It scared me because I was growing happy about it. I brought it before the Lord and asked him why? Why was I still thinking about it? Could he please take away this "stirring" because I was scared. But the stirring didn't go away. It got bigger. And I was afraid to tell Brian. I just didn't want him to feel burdened. So I kept praying and waiting. Some days when my hands were completely full I would say to myself "NO WAY!!" And then other days when I would sit and be quiet and listen...I would cry. Because I felt selfish for not wanting to start this again. I listed out all of these thing to the Lord that I wanted for my life. I felt guilty for that too. So one day I was blow-drying my hair in the mirror and I was talking out loud to God. I said (again)..."God, I just don't think I have it in me". And all of a sudden I had this peace about me. And I heard in my heart..."No you don't. But I do. And I give you what you need." I sat down and cried. And repented. That afternoon I was laying on the floor of my room asking Him again about it(because honestly sometimes it takes me 59 times for me to hear HIM!!) and again I heard "Not only do I want you to give me THIS decision. I want you to give me the direction of your life too". Because you know, I wasn't letting Him have it. And it felt awful. That night I was laying in bed and Brian was laying next to me. He was quiet. So I started to drift off to sleep and then I REMEMBERED! I remembered something that happened just a few weeks before we left to get Adiah last year. Another dream. In that dream I was pregnant and was in the dr's office getting a sonogram. The sonogram person had to leave the room so she asked me to hold the wand on my belly. After she left I moved the wand around so I could see my baby. As I moved the wand to the other side of my stomach there it was. Another baby. I was the one who discovered that baby. I remember telling Brian that dream last year and we both laughed. Not that night though. When I remembered the dream I began to sob. I woke up Brian and told him everything. And what did Brian say? "I'm not scared, Amy. If this is from the Lord he will keep confirming and he will provide the way. I'm not scared." So we continued to pray and wait and He kept confirming. So we filled out our application on line and not only has he taken away the fear. He has replaced it with joy and excitement!! I don't have alot of answers. I don't know how we will do alot of things. But I know who does! Bottom line is this. I took my eyes off myself for a bit and looked at the One who holds not only my life but the WORLD in his hands. One more child gets to know the love of a mommy and daddy. The love of a brother and sisters. And most importantly they get to experience and KNOW the love of the Father through those people. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I'm crying tears of joy even now! Oh, and by the way....we're asking for a boy!

21 comments:

Kelli said...

That is seriously amazing! It doesn't surprise me at all that the Lord would send y'all to do this. You have done so great with Adiah, and it will be amazing for your kiddos to have another brother!

Amy Pierce said...

Okay, I remember walking home from school one day shortly after you got Adiah and you relayed to me a conversation you had with Ridge. He said something to the effect of "next time we adopt I want to have a brother." We laughed and you said it wasn't going to happen - unless the Lord told you otherwise. Once again, He has spoken! Congratulations!!

Brooks Inc. said...

Amy! I love your heart for the Lord...your listening and your obeying...My goodness I am excited for you guys!

Thank you for sharing this testimony. I cannot wait to watch it all unfold!

Love you so!

BJB

These are the days... said...

You are amazing, Amy! I can't wait to see where God leads you.

amorisa said...

I am inspired and lifted up by your story Amy. Congratulations to you both. We'll be praying for a smooth process for you.

Tonya said...

Praise the Lord for being so good to us to convict the heart and speak to us through dreams and his word! As you know the Lord is and has been doing the exact same thing in our lives! I just love him for it!

I'm so excited for your family and excited to see how this story unfolds for you!

Here I go back to checking in on blogs every day! :)

We'll be keeping your family in prayer daily.

I have to say I just loving having brothers and sisters in the Lord who understand this awesome call to adoption! It's such a blessing.
Love & Blessings,
Tonya

Amy Jill said...

Praise God for women who listen to the Lord and gracefully know when to wait on Him and when to race off after His lead. I'm so blessed to know you. I'm crying reading your post, just like I cried during every post about Adiah. May God bless your family on this new adventure.

Michelle McMillan said...

Congratulations!!!!

P said...

Wow, Amy---that is awesome and we are so excited for you. Congratulations and be sure to keep us updated!

Amy Woods said...

Amy P, I totally forgot about that conversation!! Wow!

Naomi said...

Oh how amazing!! I followed your journey to Adiah and will follow this one too!! AND a BOY... how precious!

Jeanette said...

I wish we could sit down and talk. So many things in this post reminds me of Jeff and I, our journey, the Lord speaking not only through dreams but confirming His will when I'm awake! We too felt so anxious when God called us yet when we finally surrendered to His will, it was complete and utter peace and we couldn't even remember why we doubted or what it even felt like!

I am so thrilled for your family and can't wait to see how God continues to work it all out and bring the son HE had intended for your family before He even spoke the world into existance. Praise Him for His work in your life! What a testimony your whole family is to the love and goodness of God!

Kari said...

I need to make a concerted effort to start remembering my dreams... If the Lord is speaking to you through them, then I need to start listening, too!

Kristi said...

A dream is what started our road to Caleb...
Thanks for sharing!

The Crazy Roots said...

I love you dearly. mmmm God is so good.

Charlotte said...

Amy, I'm so thankful that another precious baby will know the love of Jesus through your family. You are an incredibly wonderful and fun Mom (and friend)! Life just doesn't get dull when we listen to the Lord...more like a roller coaster ride. Love you!

Lisa said...

I just stumbled onto your blog through Fireworks and Fireflies and I love it when God speaks through dreams!! He has spoken to me about each of our children through them and it is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your dreams with us...may God be glorified through them and your willingness to obey.

Congratulations!!!

Mama Brown said...

Praise the Lord, Amy!! Love hearing testimony of His goodness and sweetness in timing! We'll pray for this next little Woods baby!

Elissa said...

OMG!! Here I was casually dropping by your blog to see some cute pics, and instead I get the best Sunday surprise I could imagine! I am so excited for ya'll, especially at what God is doing in your heart. He's been teaching me some of the same lessons lately, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with another baby :(

I am sort of sad for you though, knowing that your new travel partners won't be nearly as fun as your last ones! ;)

We love you guys! (all SEVEN of you!!)
The Harrells

TriSara said...

Thank you so much for your blog. It is so encouraging to hear stories of the goodness of the Lord. I pray that God continues to guide you and give you great peace in this. We are all so excited to follow along...again!

Kate Feucht said...

Congrats Amy and Brian!! WOW... this is beautiful! I am honored to know your family....I pray the Lord's FAVOR, PEACE and JOY to FLOOD your home. We love you guys!