F: everyone needs to know about smoofs

i've known chad and crystal carty for about three years, and i can tell you that they are true servants of God. they're just honest and real and loving and Christ-focused, in a way that is rarely seen. chad is the pastor of a church plant in the rockford area called "the harbor." we meet in their house for dinner, worship, and bible study each week. chad and crystal are blessings in my life as advisors and friends. i love them. they've been married for about eleven years and have struggled with not being able to have children. but they both have been patient for God's timing and trusting in His plan. they consider students like me to be their children and have gone out of their way to invest in us. several months ago after feeling God's call on them towards adoption, the cartys sent preliminary applications to a few adoption agencies. and then they waited, again, trusting God to be faithful.

at the beginning of june, chad received a call from one of the agencies about a possible match. they quickly got a profile together to present to the mother, and without hesitation, the mother knew the cartys were her pick. normally, adopting parents have to go through classes, fill out TONS of paperwork, and have multiple appointments with caseworkers and doctors before they are presented to birth parents, but clearly God had another plan here. the date chad and crystal were matched with this birth mom was just slightly over three months until the child was to be born. the past twelve weeks the cartys have not only been going through all this adoption work but also preparing to bring a newborn home, giving all glory to God and praising His faithfulness to their desire to be parents.

we now have just one week until this baby girl, that we have nicknamed "smoofs," will be born. i cannot explain the anticipation felt by the cartys, their families, and the harbor church family. it is so clear to us how God has worked in this situation, and it's awesome to have been along for the ride. in all honesty, there is still a chance the birth mom could change her mind once the baby is born, but God has been faithful up to this point. we know we can trust that He will work here, whatever the outcome. please join me in praying for the cartys this week and for God to continue to lead!

Lord God, thank You for Your faithfulness and Your grace in giving us things that we do not deserve. thank You for being present in our lives and directing our steps. thank You, Lord, for making this all happen, for bringing chad and crystal to where they are, for having Your way in their lives. i ask that You'll continue to keep the birth mom tina and baby smoofs healthy. please continue to use chad and crystal to share Your love and gospel story with tina. Lord, whatever happens in this next week, may You be glorified. draw everyone involved closer to You and show us Your power.

-freckles