Anna Grace

As I think back on many of the events in our lives that have led us to adoption, I am reminded of a Thursday evening in the Fall of 2005. I remember where I was sitting, I remember who I was with, and most importantly I remember the message.

In the back of the church building where we gathered for Encounter (a college ministry we were a part of at Auburn), I heard my friend Matt Dean deliver a message on grace. He reminded us of God's love and grace toward us in that while we were sinners, God sent his son to bring us into his family and make us his children.

That evening, and in the months and years following, I began to consider how earthly adoption mirrors gospel adoption. As I think back, I realize that evening was the beginning of the adoption journey that Rebekah and I are now on.

As he illustrated this message, Matt announced that he and his wife, April had begun the process of adopting a girl from China. That was five years ago. They have experienced ups and downs in the process. They have had two more boys (3 total), and they have moved from Alabama to Hong Kong. They have waited and longed to meet their little girl in the midst of all the changes in their life.

Please join Rebekah and I in praying for Matt and April, as it seems that they are very close to holding Anna Grace Dean for the first time.

You can follow along with them at:
http://mattdean.blogspot.com/2010/10/lately.html