Story of the 4...Post #2...

(This is a recall of the events that started this blog...God's amazing story!...Read post #1 below and then this post#2)

The Lord has done GREAT things for us...
And I am FILLED WITH JOY!!!

Many of you know that We have been out of town with the Summit VI conference. In addition, by my last post, you know my heart has been very heavy for these sweet kiddos: Xzavier, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Shamyra. I have been praying for them for almost a month or longer now. Let me put out the timeline of the past week:

Monday: blog post... asking you to pray... (had been praying for 3 weeks at least, before that)

Wed: Leave for Conference. Felt heavy emotionally for these children... my prayer : "Lord, I need you to clarify to me and Shane what our role is for these children. If you want us to adopt them, we will. If there is a better suited family, please provide. And... I'd like for you to do this during the conference. Thanks... mitzi"

Thursday and Friday: Limbo... got information from the State of Texas about "next steps" if we were to decide to pursue these children. No Peace or clarity... felt torn... broken hearted and crying out to God for these sweet children.

Saturday: Conference over... Shane says "are you ok?" and I'm not... because I want clarity from God and I want God to provide these children with a family.

HERE's the CRAZY unfolding of God's Amazing and perfectly orchestrated event:
9:00 am: Arrive at the airport for Dallas with Shane and the Webers.
9:25ish: Arrive at the Gate and see friends we and the Webers know from Ft. Worth... and the following occurs:

We are surprised to see them there because they were supposed to be on a 6:00 flight to DFW in order for Jeff W. to get back for some church related events. Turns out, they were delayed 2 times and are now bumped to our flight: YAY! So we are all talking about the conference, orphans, etc... and the 4th couple showed us a picture of 2 boys they are praying about adopting from the Texas Waiting Children's list. Shane then laughs and says "at least it isn't 4...haha" (imagine nervousness in his voice...) Then the conversation goes like this:
Jeff: "4? We have friends that are wanting to adopt a sibling group of 4"
Me: "Really? Where from?"
Jeff: "Houston"
Me: (my mind is starting to race and heart rate increases) "um, do you know anything about them?"
Jeff: "Yeah, It's 3 boys and a girl"
Me: "WHAT??? (slight scream) do you know their names?"
Jeff: "No, but I can call her right now"
Me: "CALL!!!!"
Jeff: "their names are Xzavier, Isaiah, Shamyra, and Jeremiah"
Me: COMPLETE AND TOTAL FREAK OUT!!!!
Jeff: "They are the most amazing Christian family, they will be perfect for these kids."

Ok, so... On SO MANY LEVELS this is totally amazing.
I was able to talk with Shannon on the phone... she is the potential adoptive mother. I told her the entire story about me finding them on waiting children's list, praying for them, and God continually bringing them to my mind in prayer. It was truly God pressing on me and showing me how to pray for the kids. My prayer has been... prepare their hearts for a family, and prepare a family for them. She was also amazed. I have her email address and we are going to be able to share more together in the next few days. But they have their home study completed and have a request sent in to their social worker. They are waiting on a response from the social worker!!! They should hear something soon!! And I will keep you posted on that...
The other cool thing is that our friends said they would invite us to the party when the kids got to come home!!! A.MA.ZING!!

I am truly overcome by joy, and at the same time humbled that God chose to answer my prayer in this way. The thing is, He didn't have to answer my prayer so completely. He could have provided a family, and NEVER let me know that He did. He could have provided a family that I DIDNT KNOW... but instead, I will be able to meet these kids. He could have given me clarity, without providing them a family. There are so many variables in this. HOWEVER, the LOVER OF MY SOUL answered my deepest prayer so intimately. 1. He provided a family 2. He dealyed a flight, caused a conversation and revealed to me the family 3. I will be able to meet them 4. He has clarified our role in their lives... I am simply their Prayer Mommy. And that... I'm so honored to be.

God has blown me away by His goodness, provision, and intimate and precious way He shows that he hears my prayers and He defends the Fatherless.

The story of the 4... Post #1...

No, this title isn't because we now have 4 children instead of 3....

About 1 month ago, I was on the waiting children's website for Texas. I know, you are thinking "FIRST MISTAKE". But I do this often to pray for them, for protection, for a family, and on and on. It is a way that I can snap myself out of my own selfish thoughts and self-absorption and truly intercede for children who are in great need...RIGHT HERE IN Texas!

ANYWAY... I came across 4 sweet children as I was praying.... Xzavier, Isaiah, Shamyra, and Jeremiah. Their ages are 7, 6, 4, and 2. They are waiting. Waiting for a family. This is nothing new... ALL THE KIDS I pray for are simply waiting for a family.

Here is some of the descriptions of these kiddos:
"Xzavier is smart, articulate, opinionated, and sometimes anxious."
"Isaiah is a very friendly, loving, and affectionate child who likes to ask questions."
"Shamyra is a sweet, cuddly child who is very smart and likes to boss around Jeremiah"
"Jeremiah is a rambunctious and energetic child who is smart for his age."


Now, why am I blogging about these kids? Why can't I get these kids out of my head? Here's the thing... Shane and I have been in the position to be approached over the last 7 months with SEVERAL opportunities to adopt children. We have always PRAYED and then said "NO"... with the obvious exception of our sweet Elijah. Here's the other thing. EACH TIME... God has ALWAYS provided another family. We have seen GOD move on behalf of the orphan or "legal orphan". We are NOT saying that we are GOING TO ADOPT these kids. Hear me say that. BUT, I need you to hear my heart, and join me in prayer. I'm praying GOD brings a family to these kids, quickly. The odds are stacked against them: 1. Their age 2. Their number (sib group of 4!) 3. Their "baggage" and 4. Their color. BUt MY GOD can overcome ALL OF THIS. It pains me to imagine them growing up in the foster care system. I want the LORD to protect their hearts and prepare their hearts for a family. I want GOD to prepare a family's heart for these children. PLEASE JOIN ME! I DO NOT KNOW what it is about these children that GOD would not let me FORGET THEM. And to be honest... if GOD wants them to be McBrides, then He will make that clear and pave the unbelievably difficult path to do so.

I'm asking you to pray for these precious ones, and for the THOUSANDS of kids waiting right where you are. AND NOW... I can plug for the Foster Care Prayer Vigil coming up in May. IF you want to host a prayer group at your house or church, let me know and I will send the information to you... or you can visit www.fostercareprayervigil.com

In the mean time... pray for Xzavier, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Shamyra. They need a family...they need prayer... they need us to pray for them. I love these children and do not know anything about them... I want to see Jesus Christ full lived out in their lives as I know he has a "plan to give them a hope and a future." Praise God for that!

(BTW... this information was taken off of the TARE website and is fully legal to share publicly... as it is already posted on the internet)

Foster Care Prayer Vigil...

To first start this blog... I want to invite everyone to join us in making events happen all across America in May with the Foster Care Prayer Vigil. This is an easy way that we can make a difference, center our minds and hearts, and pray unified for the over 500,000 children in foster care right now...