Why Planting Trees...?
The idea came from a song called "Planting Trees" by an artist named Andrew Peterson. When we heard this song, it spoke so much to how we feel about our family and our lives. it's the idea that important and lasting things require a measure of sacrifice and investment. eternal things require a bit of a sacrifice of our time, money and resources. this is why we labor and serve God's church. it's why we have friends and foster relationships with other people. it's why Kerri and I are married and have kids. it's why we are choosing to adopt from the Congo. We are trusting that by planting all these "trees" in our lives, they will grow and mature and eventually these trees that we've planted will reach so many more people than we ever could on our own.
We have lots of little bulbs in the ground right now, but we are choosing to plant another one. Adoption has been on our hearts for almost two years now. We first began talking about adoption at the end of 2009. By the end of 2010 we were pursuing adoption head on and it took until this summer (2011) to have chosen a program and agency. We are hoping and believing that through our adoption, many more will choose to adopt or think more about how they can be a part of loving orphans. We believe that God calls us all to love the orphan and the widow in some way. Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can participate in some way to help love and care for the orphans of the world.
"Planting Trees" Andrew Peterson
we chose the spot, we dug the hole
we laid the maples in the ground, to have and hold
as autumn falls, to winter sleep,
we pray that somehow in the spring, the roots grow deep
and many years from now, long after we are gone
these trees will spread their branches out and bless the dawn
he took a plane, to Africa
he gathered up into his arms, an orphan son
so many years from now, long after we are gone
this tree will spread its branches out and bless the dawn
sit down and write that letter, sign up and join the fight
sink in to all that matters, step out into the light
let go of all that's passing, lift up the least of these
lean into something lasting, PLANTING TREES
she rises up as morning breaks
she moves among these rooms alone
before we wake
and her heart is so full; it overflows
she waters us with love and the children grow
so many years from now
long after we are gone
these trees will spread their branches out
and bless the dawn
these trees will spread their branches out
and bless someone
she moves among these rooms alone
before we wake
and her heart is so full; it overflows
she waters us with love and the children grow
so many years from now
long after we are gone
these trees will spread their branches out
and bless the dawn
these trees will spread their branches out
and bless someone