The Close to Our Summer

Throughout the busy summer we have forgotten to update on several things! First of all, the most important is that we welcomed another beautiful niece to the world on July 12th. Her name is Charlotte Jane Anspaugh and she and Bethany are both healthy and doing great!


Welcome Charlie!

 Another (slightly less important thing) is that we purchased an ATV earlier this summer and it's been great having a "toy" to take out in the evenings. We had been going with Sandra and Scott a lot when we visited, so we'd been looking for one for a long time. Finally we found one very reasonably priced, and decided to jump on it!

While Becky starts school on the 23rd, Clayton is set to be done with training on August 17th which is very exciting, as we will then be able to settle into a routine....or so we hope....

Jesus Saves from the American Dream

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Two days before our wedding my beautiful sister (and matron of honor) coordinated a phenomenal bachelorette party in the space above the wine bar. The theme was 1920s speakeasy, and it came complete with classy h'orderves, vodka cranberries, and many fun gifts! We all dressed in flapper dresses, head bands and boas. It was pretty much amazing. I'm not entirely sure why the backstory is necessary, but I just enjoy talking about it - it was a grand time! Anyway, the whole point is that, while opening gifts, I came to a bag from my bridesmaid (and friend since the dark ages) Brittney. There were several items inside, but the one that this particular story is about is a short, quite sturdy dog leash. We all laughed, assuming that it's the typical "whipped" joke and that it was for "me to use for Clay, etc". Brittney then proceeded to explain that it was actually meant for Clayton's use. "He'll need all the help he can get to wrangle you in!" Need I remind you that she's known me since before I could ride a bike? My "rambunctiousness" has not escaped her.

Throughout my life everyone has always known me to be "the crazy one". I am always jumping into things head first and just assuming that somehow, from somewhere, a parachute will open to carry me safely through life. It was, therefore, to no one's surprise that I married a man who provides that parachute. I married someone who not only thinks through every decision thoroughly, but also has the strength to rein me in from time-to-time when my crazy ideas get a few steps (or miles) ahead... Due to our polar opposite personalities, it has become routine for people to assume that any big (crazy) decision we make is solely due to my inherant craziness. What a great feeling it is to know that, for once, I am not alone in my "insanity". Through much prayer and thoughtful discussion, Clayton and I have decided to adopt! Something that a majority of people (especially our generation) thinks we are absolutely crazy for doing. But here's the story:

First of all, Clayton and I knew going into this marriage that we wanted a large family. We didn't necessarily have a number determined, but we assumed it'd be around 5 children - a couple homemade kids, and a few pre-made a little further down the road. In recent months, however, we have both felt very convicted that perhaps the order in which we had planned our family-building was skewed. We began to realize that there are hundreds of thousands of kids out there who need a home and, lo and behold, we have one! Not only that, but we have a home that even has two un-occupied bedrooms! Funny how God works!

We first met Rebekah with Whimspire Child Placement Services in early July to discuss our options and get an explanation of the process. One month later, and we are halfway through the process and expect to be licensed by early September. Unbelievable! It's amazing how God has paved the way for us through this crazy process. Our required foster care core training through the state has only been offered in Gunnison once before, and it miraculously is being offered again on August 19th and 20th which is exactly when we need it to be without slowing down the process. Our CPR certification is finished, we've had our first home visit, and the training, first aid certification, and home inspection are all set to be completed in the next two weeks! Even Rebekah commented on how amazingly fast and smooth the process has been for us (Maybe it has a little something to do with God's hand being in it). We are so unbelievably excited!

Several things I have come to realize through this process is how insanely selfish our lives have been to this point. Everything has been so easy for us financially, with consistent jobs and supportive families, and also with how much freedom we've had. Americans have come to a point of viewing children as a burden. We have been told countless times that "we need to have time to ourselves and travel the world first. Enjoy ourselves before having children." But the problem with this logic is that, when we became Christians our life is no longer our own. We have been called for his purpose, and that is to love and care for those less fortunate than ourselves.

For those of you who enjoy reading (or even those who don't), i'd highly recommend the book by John Piper titled Don't Waste Your Life. In it he tells a story about a man who was in his eighties when the pastor did an alter call at the end of the church service. The old man rose and went weeping to the front of the church where he repeated over and over again, "I've wasted it. I've wasted it." The thought of reaching the end of our lives before realizing that it's not all about us is utterly terrifying to me. We have been blessed to have recognized God's calling as young as we have, and to realize that this life is not ours, but his alone, and that all of the resources he has given us is to be used for his glory. We own a house, therefore we had to figure out a way to use that house for his glory.

We have spoken to countless people, both relatives and near-strangers who try to warn us about adopting through foster care and how "it's going to be so difficult" or "hard on our marriage" (all from people who have never done it. Those who have give complete opposite reviews). Our response to those comments is that, for one, compared to what these kids have been through, nothing about our lives is "hard". Secondly, this is no longer our choice. This is what we have been called to do, and we know that without a doubt. Therefore, all we can do is be incredibly ecstatic about it! We're going to be parents. It doesn't get more exciting than that! Whether we end up with 3 or 30 children, at least we can know that with God's support (along with a lot of family and friends' support), we will indeed survive!

Since we first started the process I have constantly been online watching videos and interviews with adoptive families (many of which have adopted more than ten children) and passing them along to Clayton. There was one family who we have found to be the most similar to us in convictions and beliefs. It made us feel much more confident in our decision and that, crazy or not, we're not in this alone.

To watch their interview, go to http://www.adoptuskids.org/, click on "family stories" in the center of the page and then on the lower right side of the screen you'll see "The Mitchel Family" video.