The Race Marked Out For Us

...and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...
from Romans 12:1-2

I've often compared this adoptive journey to running the marathon. God sent encouragement when I was needing it then and He is sending encouragement today.

This week is an important one and we are asking for your prayers. If you'd like to let us know you're praying we'd LOVE to hear from you so post a comment or email me here.

I will run with His perseverance the race that He marked out for us.

Hope in the Hard Chapters

Recently I heard someone talk about hard chapters--parts of the story that were difficult or things he'd rewrite...or omit. He also reminded us that God is writing a story with our lives, one that was planned with Hope and for His Glory.

There are hard chapters in my story, events and things I cannot change. In 2003 when we were going through our first homestudy process to become foster/adoptive parents we were required to discuss openly and honestly examine those hard chapters. Our worker was wonderful and supported us through the process. I struggled at times and I saw it incredibly unfair to have to talk about things with our social worker when the years of fertility treatments and loss, my past, or motives for wanting to become a parent were never discussed.

I didn't understand before our first foster son, the practical reasons for discussing my hard chapters. I didn't see how events so long ago shaped my responses. Those first few weeks siting in a chair next to our foster son's bed, hearing him struggle with both night terrors and cries of utter agony from the depths of his grief. His confused and hurting little three year old heart just broken...his hard chapters. I was there to walk or sit beside him and offer hope as he began to heal. This experience would help me as there were many others that God would lead to our home that were also in the middle of hard chapters.

Through the years our family has gone through some hard chapters. It can be incredibly painful to walk with my children as they struggled for answers that I cannot give about some of their hard chapters. There are times that hard chapters have to be discussed openly and honestly examined. The hope and grace that I have been given through Christ is what sustains as we walk with our kiddos through hard chapters.  I am incredibly grateful for our social worker and agencies that have supported us through our current homestudy and international process.

Not everyone can understand or extend grace and hope to those of us with hard chapters. Maybe that's why Jesus came and lived some hard chapters too.

Thank you God, for not abandoning us and for giving us grace and hope in our hard chapters.

Supplies the Balm

Dumpling,
Dad and I are praying for you. We trust that God made your eye and knows all about your needs. Son, God keeps sending people and His own words to comfort and encourage us to keep going in this journey. I am grateful. We ask that He is also sending you people to love and care for you in Christ's name.

I wish that I had more answers, but if I did I might chicken out of this journey. I pray over your picture and marvel at the beauty of your crooked grin. We are surprised by so many things, and disappointed by the timeline that seems to be stretching farther.

I read something by J.Hudson Taylor and thought of you. One day when you're older Dad and I will tell you how these words from one Hudson, gave hope to us about you, precious Hudson.

My son, we are trusting that our wounds are known and He will be the one that supplies the balm. 

Looking forward to your gotcha day,
Mom
XOXOXO
Jer. 33:3

P.S. Remind me to tell you how hard your Daddy worked to use chopsticks, he can pick a few smaller things up now;)

“How incomprehensible is the love of God! His ways are indeed past finding out. How many of His providences are like the cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians – if looked on by unbelievers, or without faith, it is a cloud of darkness; but if viewed according to the privilege of the Lord’s people, it is no longer darkness, but light and safety.
 May this be your experience; may you feel that the Hand which inflicts the wound supplies the balm, and that He who has emptied your heart has filled the void with Himself.”

This Year of Jubilee

Seven years ago today God did the impossible and our oldest daughter was born. A much prayed for child, a miracle that could only be explained as a gift from God.

Seven months ago, despite many known and unknown "mountains" we began this surprise adoptive journey. 

Please continue to pray for Hudson, our family and this adoptive journey. And rejoice as God does the impossible, another miracle that could only be explained as a gift from God.

He has leveled each previous mountain.
Each fear covered by His peace.
He goes before, and leads another step.
Shame of the unchangeable,placed on His shoulders.
His grace proving to be enough.
Unmistakable radiance, His light in so much darkness.
His strength continues to uphold.
I rejoice in His blessing, this year of jubilee.

Break My Heart...for the things that break yours