Faith Calling--Memorial Box

Many of you have read this post already, but after what I saw this morning, I had to make it a Memorial Box post. Read the update at the bottom!!!

My fingers can hardly type, as my heart flutters and my breathing is shallow. I hear faith calling, calling loudly. Please listen. Spend some time with Jesus and tell me what you hear. Will our spirits bear witness together of a mighty work of God?

When we committed to adopting Ellie, we knew very little of her condition. When I first saw her face, I only knew her medical condition as lumbar meningocele. I didn't even know at the time that it was form of spina bifida.


After much research and much prayer, the short part of this story is, as a family, Stan, Whitney, Caleb, Josie-Tatum, and I committed to adopting the little girl, Dang MinChun. We believed, regardless of the extent of her disabiltiy, she was meant for our family. We knew that paralysis and lack of continence were possibilities. We discussed how we would be willing to push her in a wheel chair for all the days of her life, if necessary. We would be willing to change diapers forever if necessary.

After sending our letter of committment, someone contacted me...not from an adoption agency, or from China. I was contacted by a lady who had considered adopting Dang Min Chun. She knew someone who had met and held our Ellie in China. Can you imagine my joy when I saw this first photo, when I saw that she was crawling?


The lady who had met our Ellie had visited her foster home earlier that year. She had taken lots of photos and had posted them on her blog. While awaiting our Ellie, I had access to an abundance of photos. I looked through everyone of them over and over, but the very last two photos she posted of her visit to the foster home were these:




Please click here to see the pictures full size. You don't want to miss this.

Go ahead. Click the link above first.

Did you look closely? Did you see the title of the book Ellie was "reading?" I don't even remember if I noticed it the first time. But, later I did, and I wondered if it was a sign.

Now, if you read Tuesday's post, "Passing Through Deep Waters," then you know our faith has been challenged. Is it a coincidence that our missionary friend from South Africa suggested just this past Sunday that what American Christians lack most is FAITH? Is it a coincidence that I had a conversation with another pastor on Friday about our lack of faith, and what faith can do.

Then, Friday, my sweet sister rented a movie, Faith Like Potatoes. (I highly recommend it.) As, I watched the movie tonight, my faith was challenged. I was asking God to help me step out in faith, to ask for the impossible. For, as the movie-based on a true story suggests-miracles occur when we are faced with challenges, but the potential for a great miracle is the impossible.

With all of these thoughts rolling around in my mind, I picked up my Sunday School book to prepare to teach tomorrow. (Yes, I should have begun studying earlier.) The lesson is from Acts 3 and 4. It began with a discussion of Acts 3:1-10.

Go get your Bible.


I dare you.


Read it.

Read it now.



I'll wait.



I don't want to spoil the surprise.




Did you see that?

The lame man leapt and stood up and he entered with Peter and John into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God!

Do you hear faith calling? Please share what you hear?

After posting this story on Saturday night, I continued to listen for God's voice. On Sunday, we were part of another moving service with our missionary friend Brad Palmer. Brad prayed for Ellie after the service....

Then, this morning, still asking God to send affirmation, I had already made sure the girls were in the car. I forgot something and ran back inside. As I reached for the door, I noticed something on the door frame. It was a sticker, with only one word....






When I came home from work, I took the sticker from the door frame. There was enough "sticky" left on it to stick it inside a card. The sticker's new home is in our Memorial Box, a reminder that our Heavenly Father wants us to hold out hope for Ellie.