Wednesday, July 8, 2009

God is Sovereign and He Can ROCK Your World!

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Where do you even begin, when so much has happened in the past few months, weeks and days?

Catalina(just turned 4) and Celeste(2) have began, and are almost complete with their transition into our family!

What began as a simple letter to request pictures of Isaac's biological sisters, has been orchestrated by a sovereign God to change our family forever!

Back in June, 2008 we felt like the Lord wanted us to try to get pictures of Catalina & Celeste. We had no idea that by mailing a simple letter, God would change our lives forever!

This journey has already been full of ups, downs and so many unknowns! The one thing that we were(and still are) certain of is the goodness, faithfulness and sovereignty of our God who loves us perfectly.

We believe that long before we even knew they existed, God had written these girls into our family! God's sovereignty had chosen them to be our children!

Psalm 139 is a scripture that is often read by or to expectant mothers. It is a passage that is filled with reassurance of God's sovereignty.
Do we really even understand what that means?
Webster's defines sovereignty as "supreme excellence...free from external control".

Psalm 139:16 "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

We often say that God is sovereign, yet wake up morning after morning to figure out our day or problems of life in our own knowledge and strength. We live day after day struggling to have "control" over our lives. I am as guilty as anyone! God is teaching me the comfort in resting in HIS sovereignty. God is refining us to HIS truth. Sitting under God's truth, even when life is overwhelming, is such a safe place!

So yes...we are a family of 8! Chris, Shannan, Megan, Tyler, Emma, Catalina, Celeste and Isaac!

We are not great people who have done some supreme act of kindness! We are all part of God's plan to live the gospel and bring Him glory....by HIS grace only!

Psalm 127:3 "Children are a gift from the Lord.."

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."








7 comments:

Melodi said...

I love this quote from you:

We are not great people who have done some supreme act of kindness! We are all part of God's plan to live the gospel and bring Him glory....by HIS grace only!


As another family who has adopted and who now have a big family, we often have people say to us something about how wonderful or "special" we are for that. I love their heart for saying that to encourage us. We truly are just everyday people who want to follow the Lord and all that He calls us to do. We are far from perfect and many days are hard, handling such a big family, but through God's grace, we do it.

The one thing you must never forget or neglect, Shannan and Chris, is that this is a ministry of the whole body and you will need them as you go through this journey, on a day-to-day basis.

God is glorified in your obedience! I love you guys!

Melodi

Cindy Seay said...

Thank you for standing in the place of obedience. It is in this place that God can use you to do mighty things through His plan and power. You know we are here for you guys as we pray for you and are here to help you.
Our God is an awesome God - only HE can orchestrate what has happened in your lives and in the lives of these precious little girls.
We love you!

Christy said...

Precious, precious pictures. I don't even have words to describe what i felt as i watched each picture scroll through. Wow. What an amazing God and Friend. What a good and giving God. Just wow.

beccaellis said...

Shannan, My heart is glad when I hear of the new additions to your family. Amanda has been keeping me up to date on ya'lls adoption process. I'm glad everyone is together now. I am thankful and encouraged (spurred on) when I see you and Chris being obediant and opening your home to two more little ones. Wow. What a gift God has given those two little girls. Do you know that it has been said of you that "Chris and Shannan are the best parents I know. I want to parent just like them." -that's big. that's huge. I'm going to come down and spend a few days and let you teach me everything you know. I'll call first, don't worry.

The Burtons said...

BEAUTIFUL!
They definitly look like Feldmans.
I'm glad God decided to double your number of children -big families are just more fun! I love the pictures of all 6 together...
Can't wait to meet them.

Michelle said...

This just puts a smile on my face. Our God IS mighty! Congratulations!
Michelle, old highschool friend of Chris.

Elizabeth said...

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

I just read that while listening to "Hosana" by Hillsong.

Such an inspiring story, song, and Scripture. Can't wait to learn more about your family! :)