A Mother's Love

Shannon and I had to take Will in for surgery yesterday, nothing too serious but none the less they had to put him under to do it. As I was watching him jump on the hospital bed and charm all the nurses and doctors I couldn't help but think of the mother's in Africa. I remember being in the hospitals there and watching the mothers cry with desperation and a sense of hopelessness.  I wasn't a Momma yet but I still felt that tug of compassion and the hurt they must be feeling to see their babies going into the hospital (most never made it home) and the pain that filled their eyes as they held their little ones. I had no doubt they loved them with everything in them, but the reality was and still is, the reason most children don't make it there is malnutrition or aids. I was watching my healthy boy jump around and laugh, visit with people who came to see him, tease the nurses and watch TV. I was full of hope that he would be okay, and I was trusting in the Lord to take care of him, but when they started wheeling him down the long hall, my heart began to race and I started getting shaky. Oh the heart and love a Mother has for her little ones, but by Gods grace he was back in our arms within the hour.

I was told not too long ago that in Ethiopia the parents have to give up one child at a time, usually the baby because they can't afford to feed them and they know the end result would be death for that precious life, so they do what any loving parent would do and place them for adoption. This breaks my heart that they have to do this, This didn't happen 100 years ago, this is going on EVERYDAY, thousands are placed for adoption and I never want to forget the pain that must go along with that. It would break my heart to have to do that for one of our sons, knowing that we no longer could care for them. As we pursue adoption from Ethiopia, I often wonder what their situation will be, if they have lost both parents or if they were placed there for reasons unknown. Mine and Shannon's heart both are pulled to the true orphan, the one who has lost everything and needs someone to help them pick up the pieces and show them love. I am not sure what the Lord has in store for us as we move forward but I pray this... That compassion rules in our hearts and we desire to share the love of Christ with the one that God has chosen for our family. I will love that child as my own but I never want to take away from who they are and where they have come from...

That was a ton of emotions and thoughts rolled up into one blog! Thanks for listening <3
Heather

Excited!

God has been moving in the hearts of so many of his people and it is just awesome. At least five families in our church over the past couple of months have made the decision to adopt! We are praying for each of these families and asking for the Lord's provision! How awesome will it be on Sunday morning  to have the nursery filled with children from all over the world who now have safe homes and loving parents! Heather and I are thrilled to see God move this way and we are excited to see how He provides.

We are also excited for the start of February. I will be traveling to Montana with our missions pastor to speak at a pastors conference about the over 6,900 people groups who have not been reached with the Gospel Message. We pray God will move the hearts of these men to lead their churches to take up the great commission not only among their own communities but among the nations as well!

While I am in Montana, Heather and the boys will be with her sister in Murphy. There they are planning our first "Adoption Party". Heather and her sister have invited friends from around Murphy to come over for dinner so they can share about our efforts to adopt. After dinner Heather will have items  to sale that she has made or that our really awesome friends and family have donated. Its a great opportunity to get together with people to share about our God and the need for adoption as well as a fun chance to get creative and raise money too!

Praying God will be glorified in every way as He leads us on this journey.

Shannon Compton

Wow I love our boys!


I (Shannon) got to stay home with our boys yesterday because Heather was sick. I hated to see my amazing wife down for the count with a stomach bug but I really did enjoy spending a whole day with our two amazing children.


We got up early and watched Bob the Builder while we ate pancakes to start off the day. Then it was full throttle playing hard on the floor until Miles laid down and did his usual face rub into the night-night (blanket) letting me know he was ready for a nap. After Miles went down Will and I sat together and read a few books and then he played quietly while I attempted to catch up on the dishes and laundry. After the house work was caught up we played a bit on the porch (it was rainy so we couldn't go outside) and then when Miles woke up we had PB&Js for lunch. Will went down for his nap after that which gave Miles and I a little one on one time. We played with cars and trucks and books and all the kitchen utensils and crayons and everything else he could get his grubby little 14 month old fingers on! Soon he did the face rub again and we all got to rest for a while. Around 5 they were both up at it again. I cooked some scrabbled eggs, sausage and biscuits for dinner and taught the boys how to top a biscuit with just the right amount of butter and jelly. They wolfed it down and played hard until 7 when it came time to pick up toys and head to bed. After kisses, a bible story, more hugs and kisses, prayer and all the nightlights and music makers had been turned on I finally tucked them in for the night. We had such a great day! Wow I love our boys!


Kinda hard going back to work today but I am really glad that Heather is getting better. It made me think though; every child is such a unique amazing gift from God and there are so many little gifts all over the world without anyone to care for them. I pray that the Lord will stir up the heart of His people to see them, take notice, and do something to give them a home!


Shannon Compton

A letter from Micki:
When Heather and Shannon told me that they were going to adopt their next child from Africa, I was so excited!! I had, had a dream about a cute little dark skinned child that was a part of the family. I can’t wait to meet my new little great nice or nephew. Then a sense of urgency came over me……. One of the kids in my family is across the ocean, and needs to come home to her family that is waiting here to love and hold. Big brother…Will, can teach how to put out fires (a future fireman) and, Miles how to give good sugars, (Miles has the best kisses ever!!)
We need to get this child home to her family!!
Heather and Shannon came up with a great idea!! If five hundred people gave just 70 dollars, this little one could come home.
The only problem was I am broke over Christmas, Taxes, bills, the economy, a hundred reasons I didn’t have the money to give right now!! But…. what would you do for one of your children? I know you would do anything to make sure your children are safe, warm and fed.
So I made a commitment for 70 dollars even though I don’t have it! (Crazy right??) I prayed and asked God to provide the funds.
I work at a Spa in Brevard, doing nails and facials…. I receive tips for the services. The next day after work, I checked my tip folder, there was exactly 70 dollars!!!
So here was the answer, as always…
He is able…. 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Thank you for your help and prayers,
Aunt Micki

Have you ever felt like you are ready to throw up your hands in despair and just quit? I don’t know about you but life sure can make me want to lose heart sometimes. It is so easy for me to get lost in all the day to day difficulties of life and forget what I know to be true. Thankfully last night the Lord encouraged me through these verses during my quiet time.  

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait I say on the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14

As I read these words I connected with David. He had every reason to lose heart! Looking back over David’s life it was filled with one difficult circumstance after another. What did David do when felt like giving up? He remembered what He knew to be true. David’s faith in God kept him from losing heart no matter how hard things got. He knew both God’s character and His promises and trusted in Him completely. He believed whole heartily that he would see God’s goodness played out in his own circumstances and ultimately in the entire world when the promised Messiah came to establish God’s eternal Kingdom on earth. Because of his faith David was able to endure and overcome in every circumstance he faced.

David’s faith was like a mirror that let me see my own. It showed me how short sighted I had become lately. The Spirit of God reminded me as I thought about these verses that He is good and that in every circumstance I face I can expect to see His goodness if I trust him and remain faithful (Wait). Remembering this gives me new courage to trust Him and accept the things in life that are difficult or discouraging because I know that a dawn is coming that will put an end to this dark night we are all walking through. That dawn is the second coming of Jesus Christ who is the promised Messiah David believed would come. On that day the entire world will see God’s goodness and justice established forever. If I didn’t believe this to be true I would have no reason not to become cynical and bitter with despair, but I know that it is true and therefore I can and will endure joyfully looking forward to the Kingdom of God!

I am so thankful that this encouragement came at the beginning of this New Year. As a family we have some difficult (and some exciting) days ahead of us with raising funds for adoption and with Heather's dad's battle with cancer. I am also thankful for this promise that if we trust Him and wait faithfully He will strengthen our heart when we need it most. Knowing that our God is good and expecting to see His faithfulness we are starting this year with  joyful confidence!

 Thankfully in Grace     Shannon Compton