Our Story Sunday - Part One: Romans 8

"Our Story Sunday" is meant to feature a bit of our story you may not have heard before. This could range from a tiny detail to a major miracle, from the beginning of our story to the present.

This week I wanted to tell you about an experience I had the night Carter was born. At the time, we had been in Utah for a week and Carter's due date had come and gone. (He was due Monday and it was now Friday.) Shane really needed to think about getting back to work at home and we hadn't heard anything from anyone about what was going on. We didn't even know if Carter was going to be able to come to our family. I began to panic. I was so worried about Carter's sweet birth mom. I prayed constantly for her, hoping she was safe and okay. I prayed that she'd know of our love for her. I didn't think I'd be able to sleep. I had a quiet few minutes before bed, just around 11:00 that night. I spent some time crying out to my Father in Heaven and then turned to the scriptures hoping for some guidance.

This was what I randomly found in Romans 8:15-17--

15 For ye have not received the spirit of ^abondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of ^badoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth ^awitness with our ^bspirit, that we are the ^cchildren of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; ^aheirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we ^bsuffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Peace seemed to wash over me as I was filled with a familiar voice, "You are not forgotten. I hear you. I am with you," and I knew I was heard and that eventually (shout out to the r house!) all would be well.

I continued reading and the calm increased as I read things like
(v.23)...even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the ^cadoption...

Seriously -- I am not making this up. This is really in the scriptures people. I was trying to pick out what other verses to share, but really the rest of the chapter touched me in a wonderful way and if you are struggling, it just might be what you need today if you are waiting or are unsure.

I found out a day and a half later that I was finally a mother to a precious baby boy and I gasped when I saw when he was born...
Friday night, just as I was kneeling and begging for help and then reading Romans 8. Even now, as I type this three plus years later, I feel the warmth that chapter brings as grateful tears stream down my cheeks.

look at him now! so grown up! (11/04/09)

Do you have certain scriptures that have helped you through the rough days? This can apply to everything, not just adoption. I love how the scriptures can be so easily adapted to apply to each of our struggles. What a mighty blessing!