Posts tagged #anniversary

One year later

One year ago, I clipped the envelope holding our adoption application onto our mailbox. I remember waiting with eager anticipation to watch the mail man grab it and walk away. Thus began our adoption process. It was a quiet beginning and has had ups and downs since. One whole year...

It is a bittersweet anniversary. When we started this process last December, we thought we would be in South Africa by now, meeting our kids, and being parents. We've since learned that was a misunderstanding on our part, but it doesn't diminish the hope we felt in this being a quick process.

It is a sweet moment, too, because more than anything I'm learning the Lord's timing is best in this process. In the year we've been walking this path, we've prayed over seven children and felt they were not our kids. I cannot wait for the day when the Lord answers our prayers to show us who are kids are supposed to be. God's timing is perfect, so the fact that we are not in South Africa right now means that this moment, being lived right here in Aurora, Illinois, is best.

For those of you still praying with us and encouraging us as we wait on the Lord, thank you. Your kind words, prayers, and listening ears are invaluable. You mean more to us than you know and your part in our adoption story is essential.

Posted on December 4, 2014 and filed under adoption, season of waiting, South Africa.

The beginning of something great

Five years ago today, God answered years of prayer and I didn't even know it. Five years ago, my life changed in a way I couldn't anticipate. Five years ago I met Brian for the first time. I know it's silly, but I always wanted to remember the first time I met my spouse. I remember the exact moment like it was yesterday. 

The picture above is the campus lawn (known as the J-bowl) at my college. I spent hours walking around this lawn praying. I would pray about my life and being single, which, for your information, is very difficult at Bible school. Yesterday, while Brian was in Louisville for a conference, he sent me this picture. I was overwhelmed at the grace of God. Brian was walking the path I wore out while praying for him. I just didn't know it was him at the time. God is so good!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3: 20-21, ESV)

 

Posted on April 10, 2014 and filed under anniversary.