Got this last night from Karen, the Aunt of three girls we were considering adopting two years ago.
Hi Dave and Julie,
Just thought I’d touch base and let you know that as of Dec 26, 2007 the girls’ adoption was finalized. They did stay with one of the family members of the foster parents. Social services said that they are thriving and doing great. They are very involved with their church and they are also being home schooled. They are advancing greatly in school. They are still receiving counseling which could go on for quite some time. Our prayers have been answered and we can only trust in the Lord that things will continue to go good for them. I thank you for your openness, and readiness to accept these girls as part of your family. You have big hearts to be able to do that for strangers. I pray that things are going well for your family, and continue to keep your eyes open to what God may have in store for you.
God Bless,
Karen
Most times we just go through life not knowing what part – if any – we got to play in impacting others for good.
Meeting Karen and her brother Ken was a bright spot in the middle of some of the darkest time of my life. We had lost our baby in February and by June had the opportunity to take these girls into our home. Ken was the father of the twins and hearing him try to come to terms with giving up his girls to anyone, let alone complete strangers from out east, was a moment I will never forget. I claim to have faith, but watching Ken letting go of what he knew, in hopes of giving his girls what he couldn’t, took tremendous courage and towering faith. He is a hero in my book.
Sometimes we are called on to do the difficult thing that is right – instead of the comfortable thing that is wrong.
Things didn’t work out like we had hoped or planned that day at the kitchen table, but everyones heart was truly open to what was best for the girls. Don’t get me wrong, we really wanted to raise them and drove 1600 miles to meet them. Even though our hearts would eventually get broken, it was worth the cost.
There is always a cost.
It is a true privilege to get to see the hand of God working in lives. Are we amazing super perfect faith filled people? No, but sometimes all it takes is a little stupid faith. We just decided to follow the leading of our heart, against all logic. I can’t even say it was a pure motive, I was hurting so bad I am sure some of the drive was to fill the hole in my heart. Doesn’t matter the motive, we always win when we trust.
Trust is a great way to live! Trust opens us up to new roads and new mountains and valleys and opportunities we could never imagine for ourselves. Each day brings new people that could be the very person we need for our future. Slow down, look for clues, be nice, take time to care, and above all trust. Trust that you have a maker that knows your name and has only good things planned for you.
Speaking of plans, we find out later this week if we are having twins.
Yea, I had to reread that line about trust again as well. 🙂