Why NOT you??

So I had this conversation the other day with Mark, since like the 100th person asked us, "Why would you want to do this? You have a nice peaceful life, you could look forward to retirement. Are you crazy??"  Yes, a little bit. And points are well taken.

Why? We don't know why exactly. It feels like one of the things we are supposed to do in this life, to give another child (or several children) a permanent home and eternal family. (I'm sure I've blogged about this before.) We are so happy to have the five great kids we have! But somehow, we feel like we aren't done yet. So we are following our hearts, something that we hope others will and do understand, despite its craziness.

BUT, I have come up with a new question, that is probably far more direct and to the point, and quite frankly, almost rude, but the answer is, when someone asks us about why we want to give a home to one of the thousands of children in the US without one, "Hmm, the real question is, 'Why don't you??"

There, I've said it. It's out there. We are not trying to do this for our own selfish needs. We are not trying to do this to fill our empty home. Before Madison, we LIKED our empty home. We are not doing this because we are bored and having nothing else to do. We are not doing this to make up for something lack. Our purpose, before Madison, was altruistic. We are doing this because it needs to be done, because we have love and space in our home and hearts for other children, and because we can.

So, when you someday, get to that point in your life, when you ask God, as I did, "What else can I do?" you might want to consider this as part of your answer.  :) And if you decide this IS or ISN'T the answer for you and your family, that is just fine. I will support you!