This photo was taken within a few minutes of receiving our beautiful daughter...LILY
I love this picture! Proud "Ba Ba" and his angelic daughter!
This is a few hours later after we got one layer (her coat) off of her. She was sweating profusely! Funny thing...she would not let go of the package of crackers that the orphan caretakers gave her since before receiving her into our arms. I don't blame her. Can you imagine the fear & confusion? She needed at least one thing to cling to.
My favorite family photo!
I know I've posted how we came to the decision to adopt (see post: "Lily's story" dated 7/20/14).
However, there is a "back story" to that too. I'm writing this so that I can keep myself accountable to get the courage to write it and post it. It's a difficult story of getting over fear and coming to the freedom of forgiveness. I think about this today because...well, if I had not faced my fears, worked through them and come into freedom of it...we would not be celebrating our little girl. We would not have adopted. We would not have our blessing of this God miracle! Ok...that's all I can give you on that right now. ;0 But that is my promise to write on this next. It's important to face our fears. We all have them. If you don't face them, you don't find the blessings behind them. We are blind to them. I like to call them "blind blessings." :)
Today I had the absolute honor to meet with a lovely lady, Kristine, who is adopting for the first time. I was giddy to tell her all the wonderful, exciting, beautiful news on adoption. And I'm always honest about all the ups and downs too. It's like labor pains in a way...but they last longer! But it's all worth it! It was interesting because I told her that I was blogging about fear. I confided to her that if I hadn't confronted it, worked through it and prayed about it ... then I would not have grown in my trust, nor my faith to take that leap that God had in store for our family. We would have missed our tremendous blessing. Kristine will be a new mom soon. This adoption will be their first child. She and her husband, Brian, tried to have children for many years but it just did not happen. Adoption has been in her and her husband's hearts for some time. However, Kristine confided that fear prolonged it for her. Fear kept bringing up all those "what ifs" about parenting and about the child. Fear prolonged it for many years. I get that. I felt that. Then one night, after researching more on adoption and bringing more concerns and questions to her husband, Brian said to her... "Kris, are you going to let fear stop you from doing something you have wanted for so long?" Seems so simple right? However, hearing those words from your husband is powerful & encouraging! I love that! Words like that stop fear and it's buddy, "doubt", right in their tracks!
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mindYou may (or may not) feel called to adopt or foster a child. Not everyone can or is able. But there is a way to help. A new friend of ours is part of an amazing initiative that is happening in our own "backyard!" Our friend, Jason, is a part of "The Forgotten Initiative." Keep reading...because this is something for everyone! Did you know that around 250,000 children enter the US foster system EVERY year? The Forgotten Initiative helps the fostering community in our country ...the children, the caseworkers, the fostering family and the agencies that place the children. Whether you can financially help, pray, mentor, pack a backpack or even help with a project...it's all HUGE for these precious children whom are going through a very traumatic time. Jason explained that they even remodel the room children wait in ...to be placed. They paint the room and warm it up with bright toys. Even these little touches make a difference! Please check out their website and feel free to contact them. The "Get involved" tab is very helpful and informative! It's a great organization and the website is VERY easy to navigate!
http://www.theforgotteninitiative.org
Quote from Website:"I am so inspired by the work of TFI! Whether yours is a call to take in a foster child, pack a backpack, or paint and remodel rooms at your local county office, there’s a place for you in this powerful ministry." -Susie Larson – Radio Host, Author, Speaker- Here's one last photo to make anyone smile! Thanks Kris for accessorizing my little girl! She can't get enough of the goody bag you gave her!HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LILY AND US! :))
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