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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

We Are Claiming Her ...

I want you to bare with me while I try to explain what the Lord has been revealing to me over the past week ...

When Gracie Lou (foster angel #1) came and left in two days I was blessed and broken-hearted at the same time ... As I held her I realize that she belonged to no one on this earth. Then a week later came Ally Kat (#2, now precious Elly) and having her for 21 days and wrestling w/ the fact that this amazing little creature didn't belong to anyone except the Lord and wondering what I could do about that ... People would always come up to me and ask about her and I would say, "She isn't mine." ... It sort of worked on my heart saying "She isn't mine", but God was showing me a picture w/ Ally Kat of His plan for HER life and that I was just a stepping stone to her forever family ... What a blessing meeting her forever family and being a part of her journey. I learned so much about the Lord ..

Now we have Lola Belle (#3) and last Friday as Scott and the boys were at a basketball game and the girls were playing quietly (MIRACLE), I sat on the couch holding Lola Belle and began weeping at the thought of her not belonging to someone. A person in her corner, someone to fight for her, etc ... I heard God in my spirit tell me, "Why Not You !!!" Then it hit me like a ton of bricks that just because I may not be her forever family that we are her family right now ... It doesn't have to be legal, technical, or approved by anyone ... If Christ were to come back tomorrow then Lola Belle could go to heaven as an Oatsvall, if the agency never showed back up to get her then we would keep her forever. I know both of those are highly unlikely to happen, but God just let me know that Lola Belle could BELONG to us till her forever family is choosen and that she like Gracie Lou and Ally Kat deserve only the best at all times ... They are precious gifts from the Lord ...

SO FOR TODAY, TOMORROW, AND UNTIL WHENEVER Lola Belle is part of our family and we will love and protect her w/ every breathe we have ...

This story is dedicated to Sumini ... A child of Katie's who didn't belong, was overlooked, shunned, ignored, and basically an outcast until God took one young woman name Katie Davis and put her in a village in Africa where she would walk one very sick little girl home to see that she didn't BELONG to anyone ... Katie nursed her back to health and claimed her as her own ... Now this precious child has a mommy who loves her FOREVER ...

I hope that wasn't to confusing, but the concept of BELONGING has been on my mind, heart, and soul lately ... I know I cling to the face that I BELONG to the Lord ...I want Lola Belle to know she BELONGS to us and can cling to that fact !!

Prayers for Katie as she will be heading back to Uganda to be with her family ...

33 kind words.:

Amie said...

What a beautiful post Gwen... just beautiful. Praying for little Lola...

And will be praying for Katie was well...

hugs~
Amie
p.s. sent you a couple of e-mails. If you didn't get them can you let me know.

Michelle R Photography said...

Beautiful, Gwen!

I am going away for a few days and I'm hoping to get to read some of Katie's blog. I have had it bookmarked for a while, but haven't found time to read it. I know I will be tremendously blessed when I do.

Hugs to you,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! You get it. :) When we commit to love big, we risk losing big, but so what? What else is there to do? Not love them like our own??!! Yeah, right. Love you, girl, and I'm proud of you, except I'm still mad and jealous. :p

John & Michelle said...

Gwen~
As we wait to meet the baby that the Lord has for us, I want you to know that we would be honored for you to be our baby's family! These babies are so blessed to be in your loving arms till their parents are able to be with them!
Love yall,
Michelle

Musings from Kim K. said...

You are such an inspiration, Gwen! Please know that I'm thinking of you and your upcoming hospital dates.

Kim said...

BEAUTIFUL POST..
Just like you and your family..
Hugs..
Have a Great WEek..

Kim said...

Amazing post Gwen! It was our adoption journey that helped me fully grasp the concept that HE CLAIMED ME as His child. Until I held HIS child in my arms and loved her instantly as my own, I could not fathom such unconditional love. Through our adoption journey ... I GOT IT! As believers, we all do belong to HIM! What comfort that brings. Praying for all of you including your precious LB! Blessings, Kim

April said...

So beautiful Gwen..and so true, you are working yoru ministry right there at home and in all you do, you are a great example to me and I love ya...

Kelly said...

I could bearly see to read to the end of this post. . . Your heart is so open. I pray for mine to be half as big. Love you friend.

Anonymous said...

You are holding and loving a Daughter of the King of Kings!!! She is your sweet Sister in the body of Christ. She is indeed in the Oatsvall family!!!!

Give that baby girl a hug from all of us!!!

Kristi J said...

Oh, that was soooo good!! You worded it all so well!! That baby girl made my heart skip a beat for a brief moment...I'd love to watch her any time...Monday was fun, kj

Leigh Ann said...

How incredible!

I would love to see you guys this weekend...what plans do you have? I will call you when I get on the road tomorrow.

Love you!

emily said...

Precious post- sweet baby girl is blessed to have you on her side right now. I'm excited to see how the Lord plays this out, reveals His good and perfect will for her life and you will have been instrumental in that plan.

coffeemom said...

Exactly. PErfect. God bless you. M

Shawnstribe said...

Gwen i'm crying now.
Today we put in our application for our second homestudy.
I so long for God to fill this big farm house.
Bobby my youngest is in Uganda at the moment. On his gap year.
We were Missionaries in Tanzania, and he's gone back to see Africa.
I would long for him to visit Katie as we have all followed her blog.
Let me know if it's a possibility
xxx
s

Anita said...

Yep...you got it soooo right.....Lola Belle belongs just as each of us do. So glad the Lord shared His heart with you and likewise you shared it with us. :) HUGS!

Jewels of My Heart said...

OH, Gwen.... I love you....
You are a jewel in the Lord Jesus' Crown... I will be praying for your Lola Belle and for your family... I will be praying for Katie and her little ones... Thank You Father God for both of these most precious Mothers...

Unknown said...

Amen, sister. You have such a tender heart. You are the perfect one to love on these babies.

Carla said...

Such an inspiring & sweet post! You are exactly right, she does need *a person in her corner*!! You are doing an awesome job!! You are such a blessing.

Praying for y'all and of course Katie and her kids as well.

Kristy said...

Gwen again beautiful post! As I was reading your post I just kept thinking, "Don't we all belong to each other"? Doesn't God tell us to love thy neighbor? Yes he does . Even though life throws us curves and obstacles that you think you will never be able to hop over, we do belong to each other and we are to be there for whoever needs us, to actually just be family with everyone because that is the way HE intended. When I look at the big picture like that, the only thing I could pray for is that it was just that easy, it always isn't though, but I am sure looking in to Lola's eyes you sure can see the world a whole lot more clear. I think it is such a blessing to have the opportunity you have, Gwen even though you have these babies for such a short time, you must remember that you do leave your imprint on their heart, on their entire makeup and at some point in their life that will shine through. I hope this comment made sense to you, I know exactly what I wanted to say, I just don't know if it came out the right way.

Love you, Kristy

Beth in NC said...

I just found your blog and I'm so touched. What a special family. My heart would be crushed if I had to let go of a child. God bless you, your little ones and your home of healing.

Love,
Beth

Joel, Jes and the rest said...

Amen. Beautiful.

Steffie B. said...

I am speechless.....you amaze me!

Love you...
Steffie

Mr.Brian said...

When God put you and your husband on this earth he had a reason.I just read the reason.What two truely great examples of serving our heavenly father you are.
I am not sure who is more blessed? You with opening your heart and home to these little ones or them to start their life with such loving foster parents.
God may have a plan and some day one of these kids will find their way into a wonderful home, that home being yours.
God Bless all of you, and these little children.
Nothing warms the heart more then reading your journey with the lord and children who are in need of a place to be love.
Thanks for sharing.
Mr.Brian

Unknown said...

Gwen,

Oh that was such a beautiful post!

Perfect for me to read as I sit here waiting for the phone to ring that my sons and husband landed safely home from Ethiopia!

I will be praying for LB and your beautiful heart! I adore you and am so totally jealous you and Kim get to hang out. (I'll repent for that later - LOL!) Oh how I wish I lived closer to you both! In heaven right?

Hugs and love,
Jill

redmaryjanes said...

I love this Gwen. What a perfect way to truly embrace your role in these babies lives.

I am here for help. I have been contacted by a family who wants to talk with someone about adoption from Ethiopia and toddler vs. infant adoption. You fit the bill closer than anyone I know. Let me know if you are interested in e-mailing them. Thanks!

Tracy said...

wow, so much happens when i go out of town....i need to meet sweet lola belle! your sweet words totally describe why He keeps choosing you to love and care for His little ones! love you!

Heather said...

Happened upon your blog & am I ever glad that I did. You are such an inspiration to others.

Sending lots of prayers for Lola & your soon to be little ones from Ethiopia. Can't wait to read more of your upcoming posts!

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...

What an awesome opportunity to love on those children, as Christ loves on them, to accept them as your own, but give them totally to Him.
Blessings,
Robbie

Wife of the Pres. said...

Amazing. And the thing that strikes me is that you give them a NAME. Not just the cute ones, but you are claiming them already as one of Christ's redeemed. Amazing.

I have a little something for you over at my blog. :)

Laura Nipper said...

Such a sweet post. This baby is blessed to have you as her family, even if its for a short time. To be loved is the best gift one can have. What gift to love on a precious newborn.

Nikki said...

Loved this post, Gwen.
I thought you worded it beautifully...we all really just want to belong.
I love that we have a God who has adopted us and claims us as His own!
(I emailed you...)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your ministry, Gwen. It's been an honor..

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