October Fun

We had a great time at the Great Country Farm on Saturday. The plan was to get out there around 9am, but we decided to drop the girls off at the gym childcare so that Mike and I can spend some time in the Word of God. We both know this is what we need the most, but it's often the first to elude our day as the hecticness sets in. We were already way behind schedule, but we decided to stop by the gym anyway. We were so glad we did this, especially as we both had really rich time in the Word. I was soaking in the Truth of Ephesians 1. It's an incredible reminder of what we have in Christ and God had in mind to do this for us even before He created the world. He was thinking about how He would lavish us with his love and grace so that we can stand holy in His sight and learn to be more like Him... even as He already saw all the ways humanity will fail and hurt him. He knew that His plan will override all wrongs and failures. Too often, I get stuck on my own successes and failures especially as a mom. I am learning to lean more on this unfailing reality we have in Christ and it is so liberating and this truth that I have in Christ is what gives me the power to be more like Him even in my parenting. I have such ways to go, but there is so much hope and a testimony of how He IS changing me inside out.
In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will... Ephesians 1:5

I love being outdoors with the girls. I love seeing them running around and enjoying nature. The girls had a great time. Karis has been asking to go to the Pumpkin patch for awhile now, so she got her wish granted. We were pooped when we got in the car, but I wasn't too tired to convince the family to make a pit stop by the local vineyard to sip a glass of red wine and to enjoy a spectacular view from the hilltop.

Ashes to Beauty

One of the things that I find so encouraging in my walk with God is how He uses suffering and hardships to give us the gift of true treasure that often come in the form of closer intimacy with Him, inner change that makes us more like Jesus or gives us the courage to take a leap of faith into an adventure with Him.

Earlier in the summer we miscarried our third child. It was a sad time and we mourned the loss of our child. The pregnancy was unexpected, and the loss made us realize how much we really wanted a third child. The loss also helped us to identify more acutely with the Father's heart that is broken over children who are orphaned.

Over the years, Mike and I have discussed the option of adopting as a means of growing our family. In increasing measure, it was making more and more sense to us to adopt our third child. We know we want a child. We know there is a child that needs us. We know that true faith is expressed in how we take care of the orphans and the widows. We celebrate the concept of adoption... as the relationship that gives us hope and life was through adoption. God the creator has called us his holy children, not through our own merit or heritage, but through the means of adoption. Being the perfect Father, He has set us up to succeed, to taste and know true joy, victory, freedom. He lavishes us and instructs us as to how we can live out our holy calling.

Long story short, we have embarked on an incredible journey to adopt our third child. Lord willing, we will be adopting a baby from South Korea. I just spoke with the social worker assigned to work with us. We have four different appointments set up for October and beginning November.

Thank you, God, for bringing us to this point. I adore You and marvel at how you are continually turning the ashes of my life into beauty.