More Families Adopting

We currently have 23 young couples at our church (several singles, older couples, elderly and visitors also, but I'm focusing in here on the young couples).  The majority of the husbands are in seminary, and I'm fairly sure all of the 23 couples are preparing to serve the Lord by going into full-time ministry of some sort, if they don't already fall into that category.  So these are couples who are not wealthy and many of them are in transition.

When we began the adoption process, we didn't know anyone else who had adopted.  But since we've brought our kids home, praise the Lord, there are three other couples at our church who have begun the adoption process!  I've spoken with two other couples at our church who hope to start the adoption process within the next couple of years, and four other couples who are considering it for the future...some pretty strongly considering it.  The former Associate Pastor and his wife (who already have four biological children) have also started the process of adopting twins from Ethiopia.  And there are a few other couples we know from college and work that are also talking about adoption now. 

I'm amazed at God!  When He began a work in our hearts, He had much more in mind than just His plans for the Philpot family.  And isn't that always the way?

Friends and family who have been part of our journey know that we're just regular people.  So if we can adopt, it makes adoption seem less intimidating in general.  I hope the joy we've known and the miracle of redemption our kids have experienced inspire other families to bring orphans into their families!

Of course, we know that what God has done in our lives has only been one part of what may have motivated friends of ours to think about adoption.  But praise the Lord that we can be a small part of His work in the world!!