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.