Have you ever met people who became a family, in part because of how other people did their holiday shopping? Take a look at our picture above, because that is our story.
My husband, Ryan, and I began our adoption journey in early 2020. After researching and praying through avenues to grow our family, we felt an overwhelming peace about pursuing private infant adoption through Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption. There was just one big glaring issue: finances!
I love the story I heard of Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn. Herman had a barn that flooded terribly every time it rained. After many failed solutions, he decided the only way to save his barn was to physically move it. So his community showed up and 344 people literally lifted the barn up by metal supports and moved it up a hill so that his livestock would have dry shelter and food. What a beautiful picture of community - everyone banning together to do a small thing in order to perform something that alone seemed impossible.
Have you ever dreamed of what you could do with just a little financial start? My family is full of idea people, so I have grown up with people around me dreaming up new entrepreneur projects, thinking of how to plan an awesome family get together, and scheming about how to help others in need. Do you have those people around you?
He clung to that doorway like his life depended on it. He screamed like he was being kidnapped, which is probably what it felt like to him. He cried and cried and cried.
She talked. Talked and talked and talked. On the drive home, she counted to 100. Twice. She tried to ignore the sobs and sniffles of the little brother sitting next to her. She put on a brave face.
The other two just watched. Stared in wonder at the drama unfolding around them. Gave up space in their rooms to allow another person to live there. Shared their toys and clothes. Shared their mommy and daddy.
This is how my story merged with the story of adoption. Dramatically. Traumatically. Saying yes to the call to adopt was the best, hardest thing we have ever done. Prior to that yes, we were living the ‘American Dream.’ Living in a nice suburb on a greenbelt. Two kids, one boy, one girl. We had it all.
Then God flipped our world upside down.
Listen up, ladies, I’ve got the shopping scoop for you! By now, you know to expect The Gift Goes On in November each year (on the 19th this year, to be exact). And I’m sure you are marking your calendars and anticipating the incredible, purchasing-with-a-purpose event where you can literally check off most items on your list, all in one night, setting the stage for less stress and more peace during the Christmas season. Woo hoo!
In February, on the Council Road Women blog we are chatting about several different ways we can show love. Of course we talk about the love that naturally come to mind, like our spouse, but we are also looking at ways to show love to some of the most vulnerable around us. When I think of loving the vulnerable, my friend, Carisa Wilsie immediately comes to mind.
Many churches across our nation set aside one Sunday in November to bring awareness to the world orphan crisis. Orphan Sunday was this past week, so I sat down with our Minister of Missions, Makenzie Magnus, to discuss innovative ways Oklahomans can care for families connected to foster care and adoption.
