How'd we get here.

So, the main question we are asked is 'how'd you decide that foster/adopt was for you'. And the answer we always give is 'God'.  Because if I'm being honest, that is not just a reason, but the best reason why. You see, Elias and I knew we'd always wanted to adopt, even before we were married. He had read about caring for the orphan in the Bible growing up and knew it was something he could do. I had been around it so much growing up, even foster care for a brief time, that I couldn't really imagine not doing it. I think the point where we knew it was what we were going to do in our family was about 2-3 years ago. I was working at a school here in Austin that worked with at-risk youth. Elias was finishing up his Bachelor's degree at Texas State University. We were definitely at a place where we knew we were going to move on to the next step in life, but we just didn't know how or when. We began praying and asking God what He wanted for us.

Us with Anna watching a UT football game in 2010.

Last year, exactly 1 year ago this week actually, we had a sweet girl from Germany come live us for about 5 months. Those were quite possibly the best 5 months I've had in quite some time. We had so much fun being her 'parents' here in the US. We knew, for sure, that God was calling us to start our family. We also knew adoption was how He wanted our family to begin. We, as Christians, as sons and daughters of God, have been adopted into the family of God. When you study the Word, you can't help but notice that God is pretty clear on how He feels about orphans. In case you need some convincing, here are some verses that mention orphans.

• Hosea 14:3- In you the orphan finds mercy. 
• Exodus 22:22- You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
• Deuteronomy 10:18- He executes justice for the orphan and widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
• James 1:27- This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
• Isaiah 1:17- Learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
• Psalm 68:5-  A Father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

So, we weren't completely convinced and needed a little more convincing. Nah, I'm just kidding. We absolutely knew that is what God wanted. Now we just needed to figure out where to start.