3 Reasons You Should NOT Adopt

This is National Adoption Month. The purpose is to raise awareness of the orphans in the world. This is a good thing. We need to be aware of the needs around us. Although I will say for the Christian there should not need to be an awareness month, we should always be looking for ways to care for the least of these around us, the orphan, the widow and the stranger.

We are coming up on 4 years as an adoptive family. We have learned so much about our ugly selves and God’s grace. We’ve also seen and talked with a lot of adoptive families. By no means do I think everyone should adopt. IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, but I do think more people should consider it than do. American Christians are way too comfortable, and that is sad for them, the orphan and the Kingdom.

Little Man Turns 10

Happy 10th birthday to our little man! He fills our life with so much love and laughter! …and noise.

Adoption! I’m glad we took the risk to open our home and heart to this little boy when he was 6. A boy who was insecure, a bit angry and very confused. I can not imagine our life without him.

He is his father’s shadow.

He is a hard worker who rarely complains.

Babies, Cakes, Showers

We are in a season of a LOT of weddings and babies being born, which means a lot of celebrating in our community of friends and family!

This week I helped host a baby shower.

Every baby is worthy of celebration whether it is the first or the tenth.

I’m glad our church loves babies.

Babies are a blessing.

We had a simple meal with grilled chicken salad, bread, watermelon-feta-mint, chocolate dipped strawberries…and cake of course!

Help for Halle

Meet Halle.

Halle lives on the other side of the world in China and has never known what it is like to have a mommy or daddy.

The Lord has directed Jack and Abby Thomason to birth Halle through the labor of adoption.

I know Abby and I know her parents. Abby actually grew up just down the road from us and babysat for us once when my first set of children were younger (I rarely used a babysitter). Abby’s parents are GOOD people, faithful people, as are Abby and her husband.

Why We Celebrate Gotcha Day - Year 2

2 years ago today we walked into a Chic-fil-a and met these children for the first time. We were nervous, scared and excited. On this day we started being mom and dad, slowly bonding with them and providing for them. Their big sister Olivia, was at home baking cinnamon rolls for them and entertaining a social worker until we arrived. Olivia was already loving on them. There first smell when they walked into our home was sweet cinnamon.

Christmas, Redemption and Adoption

Christmas is all about the Redemption work of Christ. As I sat in worship today I looked at these 3 souls and rejoiced in how the Almighty picked them up out of wickedness and placed them in a Covenant keeping home.

Not by our doing, nor their doing, but by His grace alone. He did the same for me…picked me up out of wickedness and saved me, not by my choosing, but His.

Breathing Life…

My sweet, sweet, SERVING Cherish. As I struggled with some dehydration yesterday morning she brought fresh fruit and cool water to my recliner. Her tender, servant heart always convicts me, she serves with such meekness.

I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE HER.

I am glad we did not say “…she is too old to adopt.” I am thankful my husband did not say, “…kids cost too much, are too much work, or we are too old.”

I challenge you…

I will start with a disclaimer in hopes to derail some hate mail. First, I am NOT against foreign missions. We, as Christians, are commanded to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19)

YES, we need to support foreign missions with servants, finances and prayer.

There are some people who are truly called to go and disciple, but MOST are called to stay and disciple.

Diligent Hands, Servant Hearts

I received this as a comment the other day on this crocheting post. I was so humbled, encouraged and convicted all at once. This is from Jill:

Several years ago, you did a little series on young
entrepreneurs. One of them was Brianna, a crocheter. I showed my daughter, Sarah, that post. She had just started crocheting, and she contacted Brianna. They have become friends, penpals, and fellow crocheters. Brianna inspired my daughter to start her own business. I think Sarah had just turned 11 at the time.

The Eyes - Learning to Trust

The eyes, they really are a window to the soul.

I remember the first time it happened, when I caught her looking deep in my eyes, like she was studying me…deeply. I knew it was finally happening, it was probably 6-7 months after she arrived in our home, months after I had been her mom. She was looking into my soul and I into hers. I really can’t explain it, but you know when it is happening. It’s as if time is standing still and the birth of trust is happening.