Do Hard Things and People Will Follow
by Motte Brown on 12/16/2008 at 4:00 PM
My wife and I found out early this morning that a judge in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia approved our adoption of a sibling set of four children ages 8, 6, and 9 months (twins). And I'm telling you this so that you can celebrate with us, but also to say that we probably would not have had the courage to do it without the faithful example of the Thompsons and the Schwabs.
Here's what you need to know about these two families:
The Schwabs and Thompsons are families in our church that have four biological children and four adopted children. There's really nothing extraordinary about their circumstances that uniquely qualifies them to adopt so many while already having so many. They're not rich and I don't believe they received a special call from the Lord. I suspect that, mainly, they were just willing.
And they make it look easy. Of course, I know it's not easy. It's hard work. But they prove to everyone around them, every day, that having many children is a blessing from the Lord; they prove that adoption is close to God's heart; and they prove that God is Provider.
So it's Christians like these that make it easier for Christians like me to believe that something as radical as adopting four kids at once is not only possible, but wonderful.
And that (along with many other reasons) is why we officially have four new Browns in our family today.
1. Irene M. said the following at 4:21 PM on Dec 16:
1
Congratulations! May God grant you and your family many blessed years.
2. Matt from DC said the following at 4:27 PM on Dec 16:
2
CONGRATS MOTTE!
3. Shannon Anna said the following at 4:30 PM on Dec 16:
3
YAY! Praise the Lord! When will they be home?
4. BDB said the following at 4:31 PM on Dec 16:
4
Wow - four siblings. That is going to be an adventure. An old boss of mine adopted two girls from Russia a few years back. I see a large SUV in your future!
5. Rachael said the following at 4:42 PM on Dec 16:
5
Congratulations!
(A very much tangental topic off the title and concept of being influenced by others):
And people can also be influenced by others' spiritual insights...Yes, our faith should be influenced over the Word, but sometimes people can help, I think.
Like, my mom's view on the importance of the view of Christ and people's stressing of Cross/gospel-centeredness. This view came into my mind...but how can *I* experience the power of forgiveness? How can *I*? These other people are experiencing the power of Christ...how can I.
I think I'm somewhere on the journey, but somehow at the moment I feel like I might be getting closer. And it's exciting even just to think that a certain concept relating to our faith has become easier when I look at it in a certain way. I know this is vague, but I feel it's exciting.
And I was just talking with my mom about things and my thinking, and she was saying something about how it's like 3-D. Different ways of looking at the gospel (the message being the same though of course).
For me, the concept of "looking to Christ" doesn't have the power as it has to my mom. Yes, it's a wonderful concept. Yes, I should do it.
But somehow...the concept of heart transplant and our actions not being of ourselves but being from God is somehow really sticking out to me. And it's exciting. Nothing new. An age-old idea, but somehow the idea of transformation seems more obtainable.
Somehow the idea of forgiving as Christ forgives seems too hard for me. But if I think of it as being Christ's forgiveness, Christ's love, the fruits of the Spirit of me and that it is NOT of myself, it seems so much more doable.
Anyway I know this is tangental from this post, but I say it because I wonder if God's opening my eyes and if I'm closer to understanding the Gospel that I tried to accept at 3 years of age. I'm a Believer. But just excited that I might be a step closer to understanding forgiveness but looking at it in a little different way, so I'd like to encourage you/us to grow in our faith and share it with others and remember that what we say and write might play a part in others' journeys of faith.
Okay that's all :)
6. composer girl said the following at 4:43 PM on Dec 16:
6
They're beautiful!
7. Kari said the following at 4:50 PM on Dec 16:
7
How wonderful!!!!
8. Derek Wong said the following at 4:50 PM on Dec 16:
8
That's awesome to hear. I've never thought that I would be someone to adopt if I didn't need to (there really is just something about having biological children I'd imagine, since I am not there yet). But as time goes on, I think that I'm thinking about it more. And I definitely think that's a good thing.
9. k.k. said the following at 4:56 PM on Dec 16:
9
Praise the Lord! What a blessing! They are beautiful!
10. Laura said the following at 5:47 PM on Dec 16:
10
Praising God with you, Motte!
It's true, too -- there have been SO many adoptions among my church family, and SO many more are in the works, in part because of the example of a couple of families. What a beautiful picture of the Gospel!
11. Lisa said the following at 5:59 PM on Dec 16:
11
I'm so happy for you. I checked out your website, the children are SO beautiful!!! May God bless your family richly in the months and years ahead.
12. DannieA said the following at 6:25 PM on Dec 16:
12
Yay! Motte, I'm really happy and smiling from ear to ear. As a staunch supporter of adoption, I'm happy that this has happened. I wish you and your family nothing but the best as you guys move to adjust to new members of the family. :)
13. Christina said the following at 7:00 PM on Dec 16:
13
Motte, they're beautiful. A tear came to my eye to see your family photo sitting on their lap. Congratulations!
14. Jade said the following at 7:11 PM on Dec 16:
14
Wow!!! I know it can take an abundance of patience to see through an adoption from Africa. Congratulations and please keep us updated on your growing family. You will definately be in my prayers as your children adjust to there new home.
15. Rachel Elizabeth said the following at 7:46 PM on Dec 16:
15
I've never commented on here before, but just have to say, wow! Congratulations! What an exciting time for all of you. You have a lot to celebrate this Christmas.
16. EKB said the following at 7:52 PM on Dec 16:
16
Congratulations! Those are some gorgeous kids. Some of my relatives adopted siblings from Russia, so I've seen the challenges and blessings from adoption. I hope your entire family has a smooth adjustment.
17. Laura said the following at 8:03 PM on Dec 16:
17
Beautiful children, Motte! Thank you for modeling Christ's love for us in such a tangible way.
18. Kristen said the following at 8:14 PM on Dec 16:
18
How wonderful and amazing that God orchestrated joining together a family from opposite sides of the earth. May God bless your family and incorporating the newest members (boy, are they cute)!
19. denise said the following at 9:14 PM on Dec 16:
19
Congratulations x 4~!
They are such Beautiful children~! what a wonderful gift for Christmas~!
20. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 9:47 PM on Dec 16:
20
Congratulations, Motte and family! As the music leader at my church said recently, our loving adoption of children provides a wonderful picture of God's loving adoption of us in salvation. Thank you for providing such a testimony to the world! Those children are so blessed!
21. Ruth from Canada said the following at 10:11 PM on Dec 16:
21
Wow Motte, that's awesome on so many levels.
God bless you, the Schwabs and the Thompsons and you live out your faith so purely.
22. Denise said the following at 10:26 PM on Dec 16:
22
Congrats! I'm happy for you and your family...but I cant help but question...
Why do people go all the way to countries on the other side of the world to adopt children when there are thousands of children here that need just as much saving? I'm not against foreign adoptions--I guess I just never understood it.
23. Virginia said the following at 10:34 PM on Dec 16:
23
Congradulations! Thank you for being an example of Christ's love. May God richly bless your family as you grow and change with the addition of the newest members.
24. JMarie said the following at 10:44 PM on Dec 16:
24
Wow. I just got word today that friends of mine (who already have 5 children of their own) are going to adopt a little 3 year old boy (I believe from Haiti). I think they would agree with your sentiments. It doesn't take special powers, just an open heart. Congratulations and may God continue to bless you all!
25. Dani said the following at 11:37 PM on Dec 16:
25
Congratulations Brown family!
But this means that you need to change your Boundless bio, Motte. You're now the father of six!
26. Texas Craig said the following at 11:51 PM on Dec 16:
26
That's awesome Motte! What a blessing for those children (and for you guys) and an encouragement to all the rest of us.
BTW, are we all violating Ted's post about not having an opinion on family sizes by congratulating you and encouraging you? ;-)
27. Lady Akofa said the following at 2:19 AM on Dec 17:
27
4 siblings all together? This is great! Congrats!
28. Brittany said the following at 6:28 AM on Dec 17:
28
I was moved to tears by this post. As an adoptee myself, I see the unbelievable courage and strength it takes to be an adoptive parent from watching my own parents. What a blessing you will surely be to these children! May God fill you to overflowing with love for them and through His faithfulness may they grow to know the unconditional love of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless you and your family!
29. Kristen Anna said the following at 7:08 AM on Dec 17:
29
That's great news, Motte. Congratulations!
30. Alice said the following at 7:14 AM on Dec 17:
30
A friend of mine has an adopted son from Ethiopia. She's made the statement that the the difficult part wasn't making the decision to adopt, but rather not being able to take home all of those children in that Ethiopian orphanage. Knowing how precious her little boy is, and seeing how magnificent these four little faces are, I can certainly understand what she meant.
Congratulations, Motte, to you and your family, and God bless you and these most magnificent new additions to the Brown home.
31. Lissa said the following at 8:44 AM on Dec 17:
31
WOW! Thats so awesome! Praise God for people like you. Thats an inspiration for sure.
32. Jessi said the following at 9:34 AM on Dec 17:
32
They are adorable!! Contgratulations! Please keep us posted! I'll be praying for them and you!
33. Sasha said the following at 10:46 AM on Dec 17:
33
Wow, congratulations! That is such wonderful Christmas news! :)
34. Nancy said the following at 10:59 AM on Dec 17:
34
Hi Denise (#22) --
Don't know if Motte will answer your question or not, but as the mother of a daughter born in India (she's been home with us for one year as of yesterday!), I can answer from our perspective.
We knew that our little girl would never have a chance to go to school, would likely end up working in a sweatshop or as a prostitute by age 12 or so . . . That reality hit us right between the eyes.
That, and native Indian missionaries came to our church and talked about female infanticide and abandonment in their region of India. We just felt a divine compulsion to love a child from another country.
Hope it helps!
Congratulations, Motte -- may God richly bless you as you all get to know each other.
35. Victoria said the following at 3:05 PM on Dec 17:
35
Denise (#22), domestic adoptions are ridiculously competitive -- simply put, there are far more childless couples wishing to adopt than there are babies available. On the flip side, international adoptions are very expensive and time-consuming. Friends of mine who have started the adoption process recently tell me it will take around 3 years before they actually get a child!
Motte, it is wonderful that you will provide a good home to children who otherwise would have had a very bleak future. Must be a lot of love in your family! :-) Those children are absolutely too cute for words. May God bless your growing family!
36. J. Tucker said the following at 3:08 PM on Dec 17:
36
Wonderful news! Good for you and your family, Motte!
37. Colette said the following at 3:08 PM on Dec 17:
37
Congrats! Thanks for sharing. :D I hope that whoever I marry someday will share my desire to adopt many children. :) Thank you for giving these children a forever family! :D
38. erin said the following at 3:08 PM on Dec 17:
38
That's wonderful! The children look so happy in the picture, and I know having a new family will make them even happier. What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Question: Is Ethiopia more open to international adoptions than other countries? I ask because it seems like I know an unusually high percentage of people who have adopted children from that country.
39. Sara B said the following at 3:08 PM on Dec 17:
39
Congratulations!! God Bless you!
40. Matthew said the following at 3:08 PM on Dec 17:
40
Awesome! Congratulations!
and you're absolutely right-- seeing other Christians lead by example is a great way to inspire others. Among other things, one of the good applications of this is reading good Christian biographies or listening to John Piper's biographical talks!
41. Miriam said the following at 10:53 AM on Dec 18:
41
Congratulations! That is an amazing early Christmas present - God is so good!
I have friends who have adopted sibling groups internationally, and it takes so much courage, but is such a blessing to them. I hope I can do the same one day.
Love and prayers
42. LouiseinPA said the following at 10:54 AM on Dec 18:
42
Congratulations! May God Bless your family!
43. Leeandra said the following at 10:55 AM on Dec 18:
43
Congratulations! What beautiful children (both biological and adopted) you have!
44. Mo said the following at 10:02 AM on Dec 19:
44
What a beautiful thing! A very special Christmas indeed.
45. Peter Franck said the following at 10:44 AM on Dec 19:
45
My wife and I also adopted four siblings, all girls, who were from the Boston area. In God's providence and sense of humor, this happened right about the same time we were getting married. I had to adjust to becoming a husband and a father all at once! Write me and we can swap stories and encouragement!
46. Lindsey said the following at 12:13 PM on Dec 23:
46
Congratulations! They're beautiful! May God bless you and your family!
47. Lissa said the following at 4:36 PM on Jan 9:
47
I cry every time I see this. This is totally the heart of God in action! Thank you!
48. Travis said the following at 5:11 PM on Jan 15:
48
Praise God!! May you enjoy the wonderful new additions to your family. Remember that Almighty God loves more than they can ever imagine. May the children grow up into the godly men and women that He created them to be. May they each bear much fruit for the kingdom of God and to advance His kingdom in mighty ways and that He would bless them beyond their wildest dreams!! God Bless you!
49. Margaret said the following at 4:27 AM on Jan 16:
49
Congratulations!! Your children are beautiful!
I started crying when I saw the title of your blog, because Soddo is my husband's hometown. We were married there. He and I both got to work with Dr. Mary Vanderkooi and care for some of the orphans in her program.
We wish you all the best!