Adoption is So Much More Grand Than Children and Family

As we draw near the time to leave (August 14, 2014) to, Lord willing, meet our son, I want to draw our attention to the true grandeur of adoption.

It is great that a child will be cared for. It is exciting that a family will grow in depth and breadth. Those things are blessings and workings of God's grace. Yet, those things pale in comparison to the reason that adoption exists. Adoption exists to be the most real display of the gospel of Christ. That is a bold statement; and it can be taken lightly, but shouldn't be. (Note: I did not say it is the greatest display of love; that would be laying down one's life for another [John 15:13]; though that is not necessarily void in adoption.)

Here are some implications of the statement "adoption exists to be the most real display of the gospel of Christ." That implies that orphans exist for the glory of God. That implies that parents that suffer greatly because of the difficulties that are unique to parenting adopted children are for the glory of God. That means that poverty is for the glory of God. That means that suffering is for the glory of God. Even though God is absolutely saddened that there are orphans and poverty and unique sufferings, He sovereignly has them exist for the glory of his name. Is God cruel? By no means. Here's why.

If the Lord is the ultimate and the most satisfying, then the best thing He can give us is himself. Problem: we were all children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), not children of God. So, the best thing that we could have (God) is not what we had (God's wrath). How then could we be transferred into the family of God? Adoption.

How did that adoption happen? The Word became flesh (Jesus Christ) in order to live and fulfill the covenant established on Mount Sinai as the true Israel and to die and fulfill the covenant established with Abraham as the one who was obligated to fulfill the covenant. So then, we became heirs. But heirs with no benefit until we would die to lay hold of our estate (the kingdom of God). So, Christ was raised from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and sent his Spirit in and among all who would believe (John 1:12-13) such glorious news to not leave us as orphans (John 14:15-27).

We were adopted from the domain of darkness, of sin and into the kingdom of light, of holiness, of righteousness. We were once sons of wrath and of the "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), but now we are sons of the Most High God, Yahweh himself!

Reality: even though we have been adopted, we still struggle with identifying ourselves as children of God, and so we sin. Yet, He reminds us over and over and over that we are his and He is ours; and He graciously restores us, disciplines us, and gives us great delight and joy in him.

He, Christ, left his home for certain death to bring children into his family.

As we leave our home, we may not be going for certain death, but we are definitely going to die (to sin and self). We go to bring an orphan into our family that he may no longer be an orphan but rather a son. There will be times when he will think, feel, and act like an orphan and not "like a Svaleson"; but we will be there to graciously restore him, discipline him, and give him delight in belonging to our family (Lord willing :-). Oh, there is so much more grandeur to show!

(Let me make a quick note. We cannot draw every parallel. We are not rescuing a child from a lesser culture and area; Christ did that for us, but we are not doing that in this case. The United States isn't any better than other cultures.)

And all of this is done to display the glory of God in Christ Jesus. This is done to make disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. This is done because we want to make Christ's name the greatest, because his name is the greatest. Adoption exists to be the most real display of the gospel of Christ. And we are excited to be a living, breathing, walking testimony to that reality.

In Christ,
Josh

We've Been Matched!!!!!

Oli otya? (Luganda for "How are you?", a common greeting in Uganda)

We are beginning to learn Luganda, one of the most common languages spoken in Uganda (English is too, but we already know that). "Why?" you ask. Because, Lord willing we will be heading to Uganda soon to pick up our son!!!! :-) That's right, we have been matched with a child and accepted the referral!

"??!!!???!!!???" That's probably what you're thinking, right? Because that is pretty much what we thought. :) Well, here is the quick version of a long story......

So, there we were, sitting at number 12 on the waiting list (and we are still number 12...we'll get to that later) in February. Being at number 12, we figured it would be quite possibly years before we were matched with a child and received a referral. Then, out of the blue, on March 11, 2014, we received a request to send our homestudy to Uganda. Our international agency, Lifeline Children Services (fantastic agency by the way), had been working on getting things ironed out with a potential new partner in Uganda for quite a while, and our homestudy was going to be sent to that new partner, Oasis Children's Home. They had 3 boys that were potentially available for adoption, and requested homestudies for 3 families.

"HOLD UP!! How did you get to be one of the 3 families when we were number 12 on the waiting list?" That is a great question, and we are glad you asked. So, it turns out that there were 9 families on "hold" that were ahead of us on the waiting list. That means that for a myriad of reasons they were unable to be matched with a child and accept a subsequent referral (most likely many of the families were pregnant). So, we were simply next on the list of eligible families.

We were surprised to say the least.

Now, there is one big thing to note: there were no guarantees of being matched or referred or even of the children being legally adoptable. Lifeline (our international agency) doesn't give referrals until children are as close to 100% legally adoptable (that is orphaned), and that process can take months, at least 6 months most of the time. There was also the added unknown of this new partner, Oasis Children's Home, and the way they like to match children...no guarantees. All we knew is that there were 3 boys and 3 families being looked at, and that nothing goes as planned. :)

We figured it would be 6-8 months before we heard anything. And then maybe another 6-8 months before we could possibly go to Uganda. It was 1.5 months (April 29, 2014) when we heard HUGE news. We found out that Lifeline was going to be making a trip to Uganda to find out if ethical adoptions are still a possibility in Uganda. If they are not, that would mean program suspension, not closure, but suspension (we can talk about that with you if you are curious what that means). AND there is also a legal Act that is in the process of working its way through the court system in Uganda that would install a foster care type system that would probably eliminate all possibility of international adoptions. THAT is HUGE news.

Three options were given of possible routes if ethical adoption is deemed impossible or highly improbable and a suspension on the program occurs. Here is a summary of them.
1) Families can stay in the Uganda program and wait in case the suspension might be lifted.
2) Families can switch programs (that means leave the Uganda program adopt from a different country).
3) Our case might be unique...

At that point we were like, "Huh? Our case?". Yes, that is when we found out that we had been matched with a little boy! Would we accept this referral? Yes! The third option above included subsequent options due to our case being unique...interesting. :)

Anywho, a day or two later we found out that the little boy was about 9 months old and his name is John Luke. We received a picture of him from when he was taken in to Oasis Children's Home, and a few days later received an updated picture. Let's just say that he is cute. :)

There was a lot to do after receiving and accepting the referral. And, with the impending children's Act in Uganda, it seemed that it all needed to be done quickly. So many little bits to this that can only be described by saying that God is the one who is moving things as he sees fit, blowing up all kinds of probable timelines and situations, having probation officers and others in Uganda cooperate when they normally may not (kind of like when God moved in the hearts of the Persian Kings to rebuild Jerusalem recorded in the book of Ezra). It has definitely been crazy. :)

Now we are waiting for some paperwork to come to us so we can get it notarized and sent back so we can wait for a court date in Uganda. We are also waiting to hear from Lifeline regarding their findings in regards to ethical adoptions in Uganda. They will be making the trip May 29-June 7.

There are 3 main realities that come under 1 umbrella reality.
1) There is still no guarantee that this child will be a Svaleson. There is much that needs to happen for this to happen. It is even possible that we can go to Uganda, be legal guardians of John Luke for weeks, and then come home without him.
2) We are short on funds.
3) Everything that needs to happen can happen.

Those three fall under this one reality:
In all of this, no matter the outcome, God will be glorified. And THAT is what excites us most. As hard as it would be to have all of this fall through, or as hard as it would be to be parents of an adopted child, or as great as it would be if everything worked out, God WILL be praised by believers. And he IS working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose...to be conformed to the image of his Son. The reality that God will be glorified is what propels us to go forward, to follow him. And his glory brings a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. :-)

With all that said, here is our plan moving forward:
1) Be excited!..and grounded in reality.
2) Save as much money as we can.
3) Fill out more grant paperwork.
4) Learn Luganda.

There are a few other things we would like to share with you. So, look for some updates within the next 10 days or so!

Join with us in praising God! Join with us in worshiping Jesus Christ! Join with us in celebrating! Join with us in living for the glory of God's name because we have been united with him by his blood and Spirit! Join with us in ministering to others in Jesus' name! Join with us as we make disciples of the nations! Join with us in clinging to the promises of God in joy and in sorrow, the promises that we will be conformed to the image of the Son! And thank you for joining us!! :-)

In Christ,
Josh and Marissa Svaleson

Quick Update - February 4, 2014

Here's a quick update on our life!

We should find out this coming Friday where we are on the wait list for Uganda! So that's very exciting! We look forward to that email every month.

Though it is not adoption, we are in the process of becoming licensed for Foster Care. That is exciting and it's moving QUICKLY! It looks like we may have two kiddos in our care in the next couple weeks. They are cute - we have gotten to know them a bit already!

In case you are wondering, foster care is NOT taking the place of adopting from Uganda. We are still pursuing adoption from Uganda - while waiting we want to care for kids in our community.

That's a very quick update!

Thank you everyone for your support in both adoption and foster care. We REALLY COULDN'T fulfill God's call on our life without you. Neither waiting to adopt, nor foster care is easy :) . Please continue to pray for our family as we continue on this journey.

Love,
The Svalesons

Where we are

Hello everyone!
Marissa here. Sorry it has been so long since we have updated you on life and adoption! I felt the need to do so today! A lot has been going on!

First, I leave for Uganda in 3 DAYS!!! No, not to pick up our child (that would be AWESOME!) but, to go on a mission trip to learn about the culture and to love and serve the people there! I will be traveling with my cousin Marcy, my friend Mallari and her mom (who is also my friend) Noreen! I am SO excited to be a sponge for 18 days and to soak in as much as I can! I will be sure to post pictures and video when we return! I can't wait to teach you all about our child's culture, since you will all be a part of his/her life once we bring him/her home! You can read the previous blog post to learn more about this trip, and the organization New Hope Uganda. I can't wait to see how God moves!

Second, I am going to share with you all an update on our adoption process! First, I want to say that God is good...I hope you all know that. I know that I know that, but at times life is just plain hard. We are still number 23 on the list...haven't moved for a couple months. We got a phone call last week from our case worker in Alabama (the one who is doing all of our international adoption stuff) and she informed me that the wait for our child possibly could be longer than the 15-18 months that we were initially told. That news was so disheartening...it hurt....I felt pain...I felt sad.

Going back a couple weeks...I started reading a book with some friends of mine called "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer. We wanted to help one another grow in our relationship with God, but also learn to just have joy in Christ, and know/believe that He is enough in every life circumstance! I was SO EXCITED to start reading this book! So, I open to the first section, and the first section is about.....(drum roll please)......CONTENTMENT! God sure knows what He's doing! So, I read the first "resolution" and it states this: " I do solemnly resolve before God to embrace my current season of life and live with a spirit of contentment." After reading that...I started to tear up. Tear up, because I know that God is working on trying to teach me how to be content. One of the BIGGEST things I learned is that contentment is something to be LEARNED....check it out:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:11-13

Paul says He has LEARNED the secret of being content...so, I must learn how to be content...not an easy task, but I know that God is working on changing me. You see, when you are content with whatever season you are in, you are able to live life to the fullest! You are able to see what God has in front of you RIGHT NOW, because you aren't so focused on what you don't have. I don't want to "wish away" my life so I can get to the next "bigger" or "better" thing...because then I fear that I will get to the end of my life, and not remember it...I was "there" but I wasn't "really there". You know what I mean?

I am so glad that God is choosing now to teach me contentment, instead of after I wished my life away...but boy is it hard! But, it is SO FREEING! I am able to call on the Lord, and He takes my sadness and pain, and fills it with His love, and reminders of what HE has done for me...and that my life purpose is to bring glory to Him! There is a lot more work to do in me, I know, but I am rejoicing in what He has changed already...and for that I am so thankful!

So, getting that phone call was so hard to receive the other day. It felt like we were taking a step back..but I know that God has a plan. I cling to His promises:

• Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

• Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

• Matthew 11:28-30  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

And so many more verses that speak of God's sovereignty and about His love for His children. I am so thankful for Him. If it weren't for Him, where would I be? I would be nowhere...and I am so thankful He has come and saved me. I couldn't get through this difficult period in my (our) life. He sustains me and gives me strength each and every day.

If you could, please keep our family in your prayers. Thank you for all the encouragement the last 3 years we have been in this journey. God has really blessed us with all of you, and we couldn't do this alone. I wanted to share one song with you, that I think is so beautiful. We truly do serve a beautiful, beautiful God.

"Beautiful" by Shawn McDonald...

Love,

Marissa

Blizzardy (an assortment of updates) Updates on Adoption

Hello everyone! We thought it was about time to give an update!

First things first, we have moved up to number 23 on the waiting list! (We started at number 31 in October of 2012!) Being that we get asked frequently, we would like to share that God has so graciously provided just over $16,000 for our adoption! That's INCREDIBLE! That means we have about $13,000.00 left to raise. Our total cost for the adoption is estimated just under $29,000! We are also in the process of completing (by completing, we mean we just have to send it in) a grant through ShowHope! We are hoping that God will provide for our adoption through a grant!

The CD that we mentioned a while back should be finalized very soon! We are hoping God will use it to encourage you and help us all lean on him in times of great sorrow and great rejoicing. 

Josh and I won a free photo shoot (thanks to many of you liking a photo on facebook) through Lou Lou's Photography! (http://www.loulousphotography.com/) Over half of the pictures we took were "Expecting Adoptive Parents" pictures (Like maternity pictures, except for adoption!) It was REALLY fun, it was quite chilly and we had a good time! Below are some of the sneak peeks! Sam did a WONDERFUL job capturing these moments! They definitely help with the pain in this moment of waiting for our child.

Lastly, we'd like to mention that Marissa has the opportunity to go to Uganda in May of 2013!!!! There are two main purposes: 1) To love on the children, and to be a light of the Gospel of Christ. 2) To learn about Uganda and the culture! She is hopefully going to be taking a lot of pictures and videos and absorbing the culture and area, and try to get Josh up to speed when she gets back! She also will be spending most of her time at "New Hope Uganda" (click the link to learn more: http://newhopeuganda.org/). Below is a short video to help you learn more about the place she will be going! She will be travelling with her cousin Marcy, friend named Mallari and Mallari's mom Noreen. We pray that this will be a time of growth, service and learning. God is good!

 God continues to give us many opportunities to share what He is doing through our adoption story. We've been able to talk with a number of people about adoption and also about our adoption into God's family through Jesus. So that's really cool! God's still not done with us yet, it looks like!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers! We greatly appreciate it! 

Love,

the Svalesons

Encouragement in the Christmas Season

Hey all!

We have some exciting news! We moved up to number 27 on the waiting list! :) It may not seem like a big jump, but hey, we're moving on up, by God's grace!

God has cheered our hearts and encouraged us. He has solidified over and again his calling for us to go get our child in Uganda. For that, we are so very, very thankful. No matter what challenges arise, no matter how often we lose heart, no matter how confused we may become, God never changes and he is faithful and encouraging. For him and to him we are most thankful. God continues to encourage us through his word, through prayer, through song, and through others (many of you!).

Let us say again and again with true joy, "God is good. There is no one like our God." :)

In the holiday season (I say "holiday season" because there is Christmas [woo!] and New Years in which many people have time off from working in the workplace to enjoy with friends and family), we want to encourage you to pursue the God that pursues and graces you. CHRISTMAS, oh what a reason to celebrate! The Word became flesh; Jesus was born! Emmanuel! Savior! Lord! LORD! King! He who came to bear our sin and to bring us into relationship with the Father, a RESTORED relationship with the triune God, is whom we celebrate, praise, and worship this season! It can be a time that brings up sorrow for various reasons. And the sorrows are legitimate and should not be neglected nor minimized. God's heart breaks with us in our sorrows; yet, God loves the opportunities that come in our sorrows. He loves to comfort and encourage us. He loves to be our provider. He loves to be generous to us. He loves to care for us. He loves to love us and show us who is is. So in this holiday season, celebrate God more than circumstance. He has given us the most wonderful reason to celebrate......himself! :)

In our last blog we mentioned that we are working on a project that we hope will let you in on some of how God is encouraging and strengthening us, and hopefully as something God uses to encourage and strengthen you in life. That project should be completed this month (December). We were planning on waiting to tell everyone what the project is until it was completed, but we think God may encourage you through knowing what it is. So, for all of you that might be wondering what it is (which may be none of you), here you go...........
We are making an album of songs we have recorded that we have sung to the Lord out of heartache and joy. We are leaving much of the "rawness" to songs because we want them to be accurate representations of us worshiping our holy God. So, you will hear wrong notes, maybe hoarse voices, possibly tears or sniffles, exuberant joy, some "unprofessional" instrument playing; but you will hear (and hopefully are invited in to) worship. We hope it will be something God uses to encourage you in Christ.

We do want to give a quick shout out of thanks to Bryce Neimiller and Elevate Rock School for allowing us to record, to Josh Barber in Kansas City for mixing the songs for us, and to some anonymous donors that wanted to add something special to the adoption journey.

We pray that God will strengthen you with the fullness of Christ. :)

The Svalesons

Waiting List!!!

Hello family and friends!
Picking up where we left off (3 months ago), which is us sending our approved homestudy to the government to be approved to bring an immigrant into the U.S...WE'RE APPROVED! We found out we were approved by USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services) on Monday, October 1, 2012. We were BEAMING!!!! (and still are)

Now that we've been approved, we are on the Lifeline Children Services (Our agency in Alabama) waiting list! AAAAAAND, we've already moved up 2 SPACES since Monday....from 31st on the list to 29th on the list! Before you know it...............probably 12 months..........and WE'LL BE MATCHED!!! :) We joke about it, but seriously, sometimes, it's tough...so you know, on average, it takes about 12 months to be matched with a child.

Which brings us to some other potentially exciting news. We are working on a project that will give you all the opportunity to see a little bit of how God sustains us and pulls us out of the depths of despair. And hopefully, it will be an encouragement for others who are in trying times.

And because people keep asking, and it's good to note, we are almost half way to our financial goal!!! Praise God for that! That's really exciting! We still have about $15,000 or $16,000 left to acquire, BUT we are well on our way! What we've been told, is to try to get the financial things all taken care of before being referred/matched with a child. So, we would like to raise this within the next year. If you have any ideas, we would GLADLY like to hear them. Ideas for fundraising, simply working for extra money, ways to get grants or gifts would be greatly appreciated. You can get a hold of either one of us, or comment on the blog.

Even though times will probably continue to get even harder, God is so good and faithful. Please continue to pray for us to be patient, and to be transformed into his likeness through this journey. All glory is HIS. That's a huge reason why we're adopting; so help us keep that in the forefront of our minds.

Love,
The Svalesons