Archives for September 2013

Things had been buzzing all day. By 9:30 or so, the only preparation we had left to do was click “Publish Event.” So, at 9:45pm Monday night, we stopped all the chatter and bowed our heads. As a small group of volunteers, we each prayed for each person who was hitting refresh, for every couple who needed to be there, for the speakers, for the volunteers, for no technical issues with registration.

Then, Mark hit that button, and we all waited to see what would happen. We expected it to fill quickly. We had talked the registration up a good bit, encouraging people to have some “fast fingers.” But, in those 30 seconds or so before the first email notification of a registration came in, a little doubt crept in, and I confess that I thought, “Oh, Lord, what if hardly anyone registers tonight after all?” It was that little feeling of nausea in the pit of my stomach that tells my brain, “What in the world are you doing? How did you end up here? Do you really think you can do this?”

And, then the first email hit Mark’s inbox. Four of us gathered around his screen and another two watched us via Skype as the emails came in one after another, and we responded in shock. As quickly as they started pouring in, they stopped.

It took 4 minutes and 16 seconds according to the time stamps on the registrations to fill Together Called 2014.

Less than 5 minutes of craziness left our heads spinning. We read through each notification, excited to see names—some familiar ones and some we have families we have never met before—of the people we would be pouring grace on this February. For a little while, I forgot all about that momentary feeling of doubt that had felt so real only minutes before. God didn’t let me forget it entirely though; instead, He spoke to me through it.

This isn’t your thing; it’s mine. I’ve called you to this, to serve, to give, yes, but the success of it—success by my definition—from registration right on through until the last person drives away from the retreat in February rests on me. It isn’t about you at all; it’s about me.

In about 5 months, this room will be buzzing, likely not unlike my dining room was buzzing Monday night. There will be lots of chatter, women giving hugs to greet one another, some laughter and stories shared. Maybe a few of those men and women who fill this space will get that nauseous feeling in their stomachs too, and they’ll be asking themselves, “What in the world are you doing? How did you end up here? Do you really think you can do this?”

As He continually reminds us of our calling, our prayer is that He’ll do that for those couples at Together Called. Maybe it will take 4 minutes and 16 seconds, maybe it will take the whole weekend, maybe it will be a much longer process that only begins that weekend when we’re together. Regardless of how long it takes, I trust that it will happen, He’ll speak to each one of those parents and parents-to-be and remove those doubts and fears and remind them of Truth.

This parenting thing isn’t your thing; it’s mine. I’ve called you to this, to serve, to give, yes, but the success of it—success by my definition—from the waiting to bring your child home, to when you become a family, right on through until your nest is empty and your children are building their own nests rests on me. It isn’t about you at all; it’s about me.

If you want to be added to the waiting list to join us, click here. We’re doing all we can to serve all who want to be there and are already actively pursuing how we can do that better going forward.

We’re in trouble. We’ve got a lot to live up to.

Truly the best and most fulfilling getaway we have attended.

We really benefitted from the couples’ breakout time. To have an hour to sit and talk, uninterrupted with questions to challenge our conversation was like a springboard of growth and closeness in our marriage.

Absolutely the most powerful example of biblical unity and expression of the love of Christ.

Life changing, heart changing…

We were not prepared for how impactful last year’s Together Called retreat for preadoptive and adoptive couples would be. In fact, we were sorta floored by it all. 122 men and women from 14 different states, parents of 186 children, 108 of whom joined their families via adoption. Worship, fellowship, time set apart for husbands and wives to reconnect, messages of truth that pointed couples to the God who pursues them, and red carpet treatment—God used every element of Together Called to work in people’s lives.

Come to think of it…maybe we’re not in trouble after all. We trust that the One who called us together will do it again. We know He can and trust He’s already on the move.

On February 21st-23rd, 2014, adoptive parents will gather for Together Called 2014 at a posh little resort in Lancaster County, PA to hear from Atlanta, Georgia’s Beth and Stephen Templeton, faithful servants and parents of 3 biological children and 4 adopted children from Russia, as well as a handful of other speakers with expertise in navigating the challenges in adoptive families. We believe that like last year, couples will leave refreshed and encouraged with a renewed passion to serve God and the children they’ve been blessed with.

We’re already all abuzz with excitement to be a part of it. And, that’s going to get even more fun tonight when registration opens at 10pm EST. Room is limited, and we’re expecting it to fill fast. So, set an alarm on your phone for 9:50pm EST as a reminder, and warm up your typing fingers. We want you to be a part of this. I know that visiting the Philadelphia area in February was totally at the  top of your wish list anyway.