I have started a study over at Inspire to Action. I signed up to receive her free e-book and the first post I got was about Martin Luther King Jr. We all know his famous "I have a dream..." speech, and she encourages us to write down our dreams for our children.
I have a dream that my children will have hearts that are softened to Jesus.
I have a dream that my children will walk closely with their Lord and Savior.
I have a dream that my children will seek God's will and purpose for their life, and follow it with all that is in them.
I have a dream that my children with love the fatherless and the oppressed. That they will live their lives caring for them.
I have a dream that my children will deny themselves daily and take up their cross and follow Christ.
What are your dreams?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Pet Peeves about Adoption
Sometimes I feel like I have a lot of pet peeves. I feel like there are a lot of things that just drive me crazy. But today I realized there is just one. One thing that drives me so crazy I can't see straight. It's so bad that I literally have to take a breath and calm down before I punch someone. (Okay, I might not really punch someone but I feel like doing it.)
Here it is:
When I post about adoption on Facebook...I hate hearing "Don't forget there are children in our own backyard who need homes too." When I talk to others about our adoption and here "Why Haiti? Why not America? Kids here need families too."
It DRIVES ME CRAZY. It makes me so angry. I really just want to look at them and say "So what are you doing about the orphan crisis?" Maybe I should.
I guess we all feel defensive when someone subtly or not subtly challenges what we are doing.
But I think what people fail to realize is that adoption isn't just applying, paying for it and getting a kid. Adoption is like being pregnant. You wait with anticipation and expectation. You are excited about this child you don't know yet. You pray they are safe until you get to hold them in your arms.
Emotionally, adoption and pregnancy are very much the same. Comments telling me that I'm adopting from the wrong country is like telling me I shouldn't have gotten pregnant because there are kids who need families who are already born. Because just like people bond with babies while they are pregnant adoptive parents are emotionally bonding with their kids before they come home. You worry about them, love them, and pray that they are safe.
God has called ALL of us to care for the fatherless. That doesn't mean we are all called to adopt. For some that might be fostering, for some that might be supporting others who are adopting, for some it is adoption. And I know that in our case we prayed and God made it clear that Haiti is where are children are. Adopting from anywhere else would be a sin for us because it would be going against what God has told US (the Coppingers) to do.
Here it is:
When I post about adoption on Facebook...I hate hearing "Don't forget there are children in our own backyard who need homes too." When I talk to others about our adoption and here "Why Haiti? Why not America? Kids here need families too."
It DRIVES ME CRAZY. It makes me so angry. I really just want to look at them and say "So what are you doing about the orphan crisis?" Maybe I should.
I guess we all feel defensive when someone subtly or not subtly challenges what we are doing.
But I think what people fail to realize is that adoption isn't just applying, paying for it and getting a kid. Adoption is like being pregnant. You wait with anticipation and expectation. You are excited about this child you don't know yet. You pray they are safe until you get to hold them in your arms.
Emotionally, adoption and pregnancy are very much the same. Comments telling me that I'm adopting from the wrong country is like telling me I shouldn't have gotten pregnant because there are kids who need families who are already born. Because just like people bond with babies while they are pregnant adoptive parents are emotionally bonding with their kids before they come home. You worry about them, love them, and pray that they are safe.
God has called ALL of us to care for the fatherless. That doesn't mean we are all called to adopt. For some that might be fostering, for some that might be supporting others who are adopting, for some it is adoption. And I know that in our case we prayed and God made it clear that Haiti is where are children are. Adopting from anywhere else would be a sin for us because it would be going against what God has told US (the Coppingers) to do.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Gratefulness
I've realized over the past year how much I have to be grateful for. We started 2011 with the hope of a beautiful baby girl making her way in March, and a little fear that something would happen and we would lose her like we lost her brother.
Now it's a year later. Not only is this sweet little girl here, but she is healthy. She's perfect in every way. We've been battling illness at our house the past few months. We've had hand, foot and mouth twice, and bronchiolitis. As soon as one thing clears up it feels like she just gets something else. This week we went to the doctor and she has RSV, Bronchiolitis, and an ear infection. Giving breathing treatments and antibiotics seems overwhelming when you have a screaming baby who doesn't want it.
In these moments it's very easy for me to complain. It's easy for me to see how hard having a sick baby is. I'm sure mom's out there can agree. Sick babies are no picnic, but that doesn't mean my focus needs to be on how hard an frustrating it is.
I think back to a year ago when we were scared, anxious, frustrated about how our pregnancy was going. And I look at the blessing I have in my life now, and I realize that there are good things about having a sick baby...she snuggles with me. She's moving everywhere now, and when she gets worn down she wants mommy snuggles and it's so nice. I love her snuggles. When she's not sick she's exploring. She's very curious. She gets into all she can find, and then she looks at us and giggles. She enjoys life. She is my tiny blessing.
So I'm learning during this time of sickness to be grateful to have her here. I learning to be grateful for the sweet snuggles I get, and that this too shall pass, and she'll be on the go again soon.
There is just so much in life that it's easy to complain about, but there is always something to be grateful for in those times too.
Now it's a year later. Not only is this sweet little girl here, but she is healthy. She's perfect in every way. We've been battling illness at our house the past few months. We've had hand, foot and mouth twice, and bronchiolitis. As soon as one thing clears up it feels like she just gets something else. This week we went to the doctor and she has RSV, Bronchiolitis, and an ear infection. Giving breathing treatments and antibiotics seems overwhelming when you have a screaming baby who doesn't want it.
In these moments it's very easy for me to complain. It's easy for me to see how hard having a sick baby is. I'm sure mom's out there can agree. Sick babies are no picnic, but that doesn't mean my focus needs to be on how hard an frustrating it is.
I think back to a year ago when we were scared, anxious, frustrated about how our pregnancy was going. And I look at the blessing I have in my life now, and I realize that there are good things about having a sick baby...she snuggles with me. She's moving everywhere now, and when she gets worn down she wants mommy snuggles and it's so nice. I love her snuggles. When she's not sick she's exploring. She's very curious. She gets into all she can find, and then she looks at us and giggles. She enjoys life. She is my tiny blessing.
So I'm learning during this time of sickness to be grateful to have her here. I learning to be grateful for the sweet snuggles I get, and that this too shall pass, and she'll be on the go again soon.
There is just so much in life that it's easy to complain about, but there is always something to be grateful for in those times too.
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