So back a few weeks ago I said that our family has HUGE news and I couldn't announce it for a few weeks. We had to make sure that our parents knew before anyone else did!
This stirring in our hearts came long before we decided definitely to adopt and subsided for awhile during our adoption and our transition from 2 kids to 4 (in less than a 7 month span!). August rolls around last year and we feel it again. This longing for Africa. This desire to give it all to God. Whatever he wants for our lifes we will do. We want to be whole hearted followers of Him.
It was a rough year to say the least. Through this rough patch I could feel God saying to me "Christie just trust in my plan, I have big plans for you...give it all to Me..." It took me a long time to focus. To focus on God. Focus on His plan for our life. To creep into giving it all to Him. To fully trust in His plan...
Back to late August/early September... Adam and I both started to feel the tug...
This stirring in our hearts came long before we decided definitely to adopt and subsided for awhile during our adoption and our transition from 2 kids to 4 (in less than a 7 month span!). August rolls around last year and we feel it again. This longing for Africa. This desire to give it all to God. Whatever he wants for our lifes we will do. We want to be whole hearted followers of Him.
It was a rough year to say the least. Through this rough patch I could feel God saying to me "Christie just trust in my plan, I have big plans for you...give it all to Me..." It took me a long time to focus. To focus on God. Focus on His plan for our life. To creep into giving it all to Him. To fully trust in His plan...
Back to late August/early September... Adam and I both started to feel the tug...
We began to pray and seriously talk about moving our family
and becoming missionaries in Ethiopia.
and becoming missionaries in Ethiopia.
So that is our big news!!!! We have been praying about this for several months and researching and talking. We feel that God is calling us to Ethiopia. In fact we know God is calling us to Ethiopia!
There is a peace about it...a peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that would not be there if we said "no we aren't moving to Ethiopia." I have prayed this a lot lately - "Philippians 4 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Adam's mission trip really confirmed all that we had been feeling. (he is working on a video of his trip so he will be posting very very soon about the trip)
We have had our up-and-down moments a lot lately. One minute we will be super excited and the next really questioning and really asking for God's peace and it is always there.
I was listening to the radio on the way to take Maggie to school a month or so ago and really praying to God to please give me peace if this is His plan. A lady was talking about her job or something on the radio and she never imagined herself being where she is right now she said but God will put you exactly where he wants you. and I heard "even if it's 8,000 miles away" I know this was God. He was telling me it's ok I have you in my hands even if you are 8,000 miles away from home you will always be in my hands and these are the plans for you and your family. I could go on and on about things I feel God has said to me or songs that I listen to and know that I was supposed to hear that song at that particular moment. There's a Josh Wilson song that I say is my song. It says "Cause I don't want to live like I don't care...I don't want to say another empty prayer...I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself... I could choose not to move... but I refuse." (The "I could choose not to move but I refuse" part makes me smile every time I hear it. - I could choose not to move but that's not God's plan) - if you haven't heard the song do a search for it and listen to it or read the full lyrics, it's a good song. (Josh Wilson - I refuse) Or the Matthew West song The Motions. "I don’t wanna go through the motions, I don’t wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything instead of going through the motions " Songs speak to me a lot obviously :) I get some good God time listening to the radio in the car!
After lots of prayer and research about a month ago we decided to take steps to begin affiliating with CMF International. We are now getting our application completed, medical exams, psychological evaluations done, and references done. We will be going through a 3-day assessment in August. (The three-day Assessment Center (AC) event is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to the selection of qualified cross-cultural workers. Your skills, abilities, and traits will be evaluated and matched with the profile of successful cross-cultural workers. At the end of the AC, you will receive thorough feedback, including a list of strengths and a personal development plan to help with your mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.) Click here if you want to see all of the steps we will complete. It is a pretty rigorous process, but we are ready to get it started!
We love what they are doing in Addis Ababa. Here is what we will tentatively be doing when we move there. "Our growing urban poor team works in the slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, through Community Health Evangelism – an integrated ministry using Christ’s example of caring for the whole individual of any community, both physically and spiritually. Ministry focuses on those affected by HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and the orphaned and vulnerable children living on the streets." (taken from CMF website) Here is more about the Urban Poor Ministries click here . Click and read about it. It's pretty awesome and awesome to think that we will be part of this.
We are excited of joining the group of missionaries already working in Addis. We do not know details right now as we are just beginning. We do know that we need lots of prayers right now. Prayers for our decisions we are making, prayers for God's provision, prayers for peace, prayers for God's guidance as we begin this journey...the list could go on :) We know that Satan is going to try to make his way in and we have to stand guard. We have already felt it. We know that everyone we know may not fully understand why we are doing this and may think we are crazy. We are crazy. Crazy for Jesus! Pray that negative comments do not stand in the way of the joy and excitement of all of His plans.
Right now we are asking for people to please commit to praying for our family as we begin this journey and continue to seek God's will.
I am going to try my hardest to keep the blog up-to-date to keep everyone informed of the happenings of our family. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I want everyone who reads our blog to follow along on this journey with us.
Happy Easter from our family to yours!
amazing! I will definitely be praying for your family. I know just how to pray - God has been giving our hearts the same tug... but we're just in the "looking into it" part right now. :) So excited for you!!
ReplyDeletetry this: If you DON'T go, what will you do here? Stay, do "something" and wish you had gone! (works for us!) Cannot wait to meet the rest of the family. We're praying for you!
ReplyDeleteOXOXOX
Lori (& Ali)
Love this news! It's crazy to me how God is stirring in the hearts of His people! We too know that God is calling us to Africa- not sure how it's all going to pan our or when, but we know it's Him preparing us to go once we get our Isa home from Ethiopia! Who knows, maybe we'll be right there with ya'll one day! I just love that people are going and doing and God is moving!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Wow this is so amazing, I cannot believe this was your news that you couldn't share when I emailed you a month or so ago. Praying for your family!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS...this is CRAZY AMAZING!!!! DYING to talk to you girl! This is sooooooo exciting!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so excited for you and your family Christie!! God is doing amazing things in your life :)
ReplyDeleteso exciting! I am still waiting to hear God's plan for me in ethiopia. By the way, I love the shirt- are you going to continue to sell them?
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations! : ) What amazing news. I'm excited to see where this journey leads you. : ) We'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteBrandy Wade
www.ourethiopiandaughter.weebly.com
Wow. I thought we were making a big change. I love your courage and faith. Lots of Love. Shirley
ReplyDeleteOh Christie! I Cried as I sat here and read your blog! I am so Proud of you and Adam, and will be praying for you and yours. I Admire your commitment to God and your Family! You and Adam were meant to do this! You both have such love in your hearts! We need to get together again for dinner again before you leave! We Love you so much, and we will be with you in Africa all the way! <3 Aunt Amy
ReplyDeleteChristie! The Titus Family will definitely be keeping your family in our prayers! What exciting news! Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you in Ethiopia!
ReplyDeleteSarah
Christie- you don't know me, but I stumbled on your blog because I'm fundraising through OH for my Congo adoption. Funny thing, I went on a mission trip to Kenya with CMF in 1993. I couldn't say better things about the organization and the people I met on the trip I've stayed in touch with and they have supported me in my adoption. I love CMF and will be praying for your family!!!
ReplyDeleteKristen