Following God to Adoption

The influence of God in our lives is so amazing. I have been blessed by Him so much more than I am worthy of.

My family has been preparing ourselves for adoption for the last four years. During this period of time, I have hoped and prayed that “now” was the time more times than I can remember. I have begged and pleaded with God for “now” to be the time, only to receive the answer of, “No.” I have learned that I must place my trust in God, believe in Him, and don’t give up. When I have persisted against God’s will, road blocks have been put up causing us to have to get back on our feet financially or emotionally.

I know that we are supposed to adopt, but many times I have wondered because it hasn’t happened yet. It has seemed that each time I have faltered in my spiritual development, I have never been further from adoption. Many years ago, going to church and fulfilling my callings was enough for me to gain spiritually, but now, the Lord requires more of me. When I am striving to be more like Him and doing what He would have me do, I can feel His hand in my desires, such as adoption. D&C, Section 4, verse 3 states, “Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to do the work.” So if we desire to serve God (by doing things such as adoption) we are called to do that work.

Another scripture, 2nd Nephi, Chapter 23, verse 30 says, “…for unto him that receiveth I will give more and from them that shall say we have enough, from them shall be taken away from that which they have.” So, if we don’t increase spiritually, God won’t help us attain our desires, but take away from them. Being the stubborn person, it took me awhile to climb up that step. I continued to think in my mind, “I’m going to church, I’m fulfilling my callings, loving my neighbors, why aren’t I still gaining with God.” Well, he told me it’s time to step up! I received a blessing from my father in law and what impressed me the most in the blessing was that I was told that we would have more children through both birth and adoption, as long as I was reading and studying the scriptures regularly. I knew that I needed to do that. I found excuses to say I was starting tomorrow and that in my heart, I was starting. But I wasn’t doing it.

Finally, I had a revelation! I didn’t like to read the scriptures because I was left to it on my own as a child. I never did it, it was too hard. This thought has stuck with me and hindered me. I don’t want my children to feel this way! I want them to readily read the scriptures and love to read the words of God. What better way than to read it to them? God about had to knock me in the head with that answer!!! The Hinckley Challenge was just starting and it was now or never! We started it and have been going strong. There’s nothing like a 5 & 7 year old reminding you to read each night. I can’t tell them that I don’t want to read because I’m tired, that’s not being a good example to them. I try to be enthusiastic about reading so they can feel it. So far, so good! We’re almost through 2nd Nephi and they’re still interested. I feel really good about this! Next, I found a little program to help teach them to read while reading the Book of Mormon Stories book (I purchased the Book of Mormon Stories through the distribution center). We’re going to begin this in May, just as school is ending and after we end the Hinckley Challenge. I think this will be wonderful for them and I’m excited to start. I really hope that I am doing as the Lord wants and wonder if there’s anything else I should be doing as well.

So, I feel that I’m increasing and becoming a more righteous mother and teacher to my children. I’m trying hard to listen to what the Lord wants me to do. I pray daily that adoption will fall into place for us and the Lord will have His hand it it. I hope He will lead us and guide us and I will be able to listen. I know He will bless us, and I know that we are this much closer to our adoption.