That’s my home.

I went for a run today and of course I took Roxie along in the stroller.  When I started walking to cool down I took her out of the stroller so she could walk alongside me.  I talked to her about exercise and nature and all the fun things about being outside.  As we neared our house I told her we were almost home.  When we came over the hill and our house came into view I picked her up and pointed to the house, “That is our home.  Can you say home?”  She raised her little hand and pointed her pudgy finger toward the house and looked at me with a grin, “home”.  Hearing that one word come out of her mouth hit me square between the eyes.  Tears welled up, wanting to spill over at the reality that this child has a home.  She has a family.  We are her family.  She is our family.  How amazing!  Isn’t God amazing? The plan He has for my life is so much more than I ever could have imagined.  I feel unworthy to be this little one’s mama.  But I am. God has allowed us to be mother and daughter.

As a daughter of the King, I am like Roxie.  I have a home, an eternal home through Christ Jesus.  I am part of an eternal family.  Oh, how unworthy I am to be a part of the family of God.  This plan for my life, to be His adopted daughter is so much more than I could have imagined.

My daily prayer is that Roxie will become His child, that she will be spiritually adopted and that she can have so much more than an earthly home, an eternal home with the Savior.

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I am yours

spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me
take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior
 
i will call upon your name
keep my eyes above the waves
my soul will rest in your embrace
i am yours and you are mine
(Hillsong United, Oceans)

Oh my. What a prayer. What truth.

This morning I’m feeling heavier than usual.  Discouraged that we still have not received the ok to pick up our son.  There is a sense of urgency, desperation for him to be with us, his family.  I can’t seem to stop the tears.

In the midst of this heaviness, I am still God’s and God is still mine.  He is my Savior. My Redeemer. My Strength. My wisdom. My Shepherd. My all.

The plans for my life and my son’s life were planned even before we were born (Psalm 139:16). He knows the exact moment when our lives will physically intersect.

Until that day I will continue to pray that He will “keep my eyes above the waves” (Psalm 25:25, Romans 8:5-11, Hebrews 12:2, Psalms 16:8, Colossians 3:2, Phillipians 4:8).

I will trust that “my soul will rest in your embrace” (Matthew 11:28-30, John 16:33).

I will believe that “my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior” (1 Peter 1:3-9).

Kisses from Katie

The pleasure I find in reading literature has grown as I have grown.  There is now a sense of overflow.  Please do not misunderstand me.  I can never be full of literature and come to a stopping point.  What I mean is that I want others to enjoy reading the written word as much as I do.  We can all benefit from a good story.  That is why I want to share with you Bookworm Mama.

In this space, I am going to overflow a bit and send some good reads your way!  I have no intention of bashing authors or a style of writing or someone’s story.  Primarily, what I say here will be about books I have read and think others will enjoy reading as well.  In each Bookworm Mama review I will provide a synopsis followed by 2 reasons I think you should check it out also.  Nothing fancy, just my thoughts.  I hope you enjoy!

Title:  Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption
Author:  Katie Davis

I know I’m a little behind.  It seems so many others finished reading Kisses for Katie months ago.  After much encouragement from family and friends I finally read it.  It is a beautiful picture of sacrifice for the sake of Christ.  Katie shares her journey of leaving her comfortable world behind and being obedient to the desire God gave her to serve the people of Uganda.

 

 Adoption. 

When this book was written the author, Katie Davis, had adopted fourteen girls.  So naturally adoption is woven throughout her story.  When referring to adoption she says, “And it comes with huge heartache and huge God-wrestling.”  Oh how I can relate to this as I’m sure so many other adoptive families can as well.  It’s so nice to read someone else’s words and be able to see yourself in them, knowing that you’re not alone.

When wondering why these children have to come from hurtful places she remembers “that all of this, even this hard part, is working for the good in their lives, for the good of God and His kingdom”.  She goes on to say that “hardships are gifts that He is using to strengthen us as a family and in Him so that He may transform us into His likeness.”  What an encouragement to not only physically adopted children but spiritually adopted children as well.

 Scripture. 

It infiltrates her life, her daily living.  It is not something that is separate from who she is and what she does each day.  It is her lifeline, her breath.  As I read, this was such a challenge for me and my daily life.  Do I live like this?  It seems that Davis is living in a constant state of dependence on God’s word.  Even though I don’t live in a third world country I still should be just as dependent on His word.  It should still infiltrate my life, my daily living.

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Meet Hudson

But this I call to mind,
And therefore I have hope;
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion says my soul,
Therefore I will hope in him.
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
To the soul who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:21-35

AMEN!

In early 2012 as I prayed for my son, I didn’t realize he would be preceded by a younger sister.  In May when we received “the call”, we were of course thrilled with our sweet little girl, Roxie Kyle.  However, the Lord wasn’t finished.  In August 2012 we received another call.  We knew there was a possibility of a second adoption, however at the time our minds were distracted.  Upon one look of another set of big, beautiful brown eyes we knew that this was the son we had been praying for.

Over two years ago B and I received the news that there would be some challenges involved in extending our family biologically.  At the time, a home full of children seemed bleak.  Just as Jeremiah did in Lamentations, we have had to recall God’s character many times; his grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love, goodness, forgiveness, and truth.  Even in times of sorrow and hopelessness His loving-kindness has always been present.

These truths, these characteristics have been revealed to me in a fresh way through this adoption process.  I am reminded of this when I look at my son and his dimply grin.  I’m reminded that my hope is in Him.  He has entrusted this little man into our lives so that we may teach him about the character of God.  He has entrusted us to raise him under truth and salvation in Christ.  I am so very thankful for what God has already taught me through my son and it’s overwhelming that I am his mama.

Meet Hudson Joseph . . . he has a dimple that will melt your heart, a determined spirit, fascination with cell phones, and a contagious laugh.  He is officially and legally our son!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been,Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!