One week ago, I moved to Nashville. And it's been a great week.
I realize I'm in the honeymoon phase, but I am loving everything about it right now. The town, the job, and the people I'm doing life with have far exceeded any expectations I had. And I love seeing His hand all over it.
My first star-sighting happened Tuesday. That didn't hurt either...
Friday, June 24, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Seasons
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
For the past year, I have been living in Orlando and spending as much time as possible with my sweet family. I worked for a great organization with an amazing team. I watched my beautiful sister marry the man of her dreams. I walked with my mom through a scary diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy, and on Thursday, her final cancer treatment. The end of chemo marked the end of a season for our family.
The end of one season means beginning of another. Friday marked the beginning of a new season in my life as I moved to Nashville. It's a new adventure, but one that God began preparing me for a long time ago.
My greatest joy is seeing God set the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). Sometimes that happens when God graciously brings one of His children into His family through spiritual adoption. Sometimes it's when a family is led to take in a child through physical adoption. In both cases, the child receives a new identity and a new name. They have a future and a hope. They are loved. And the ultimate goal is that God's name is known and glorified.
Both are also costly. One required a sacrificed Son. The other requires an amount of money that is an obstacle for many families that feel led to adopt. As God calls families, He is also calling other believers, churches, and organizations to help overcome this obstacle.
One of those organizations is Show Hope. In their own words, "Show Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes individuals and communities to meet the most pressing needs of orphans in distress by providing 1) homes for waiting children through adoption aid grants, and 2) life-saving medical care for orphans with special needs."
To date, Show Hope has been involved in nearly 3,000 children coming home to their forever families, but it's more than a big number. It's about one child that is now loved. One of those children is Mareto, who was adopted from Ethiopia four months ago.
Mareto's sweet mom, Lauren, has allowed me to share a bit of their story with you. Before Mareto came home, their family was blessed with an adoption grant from Show Hope. Read from Lauren's heart here.
And a quick side note... Lauren makes the BEST accessories. I absolutely love my Poppie Lane jewelry! I highly recommend it all :) And 50% of the profit goes to other adoptive families. Does it get any better?!?
God is so clearly working through this organization to carry out the promise of Psalm 68:6. And I am so blessed to be joining this team and to be a small part of what He is doing to bless thousands of families and orphans in need around the world. I'm so excited about this new adventure and sharing it with each of you. Your prayers mean so much, especially in this time of transition. My favorite thing about the whole adventure is that it's so much bigger than me. The only explanation is God. As I step into this new season, I have never been more confident that I am exactly where I need to be.
For the past year, I have been living in Orlando and spending as much time as possible with my sweet family. I worked for a great organization with an amazing team. I watched my beautiful sister marry the man of her dreams. I walked with my mom through a scary diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy, and on Thursday, her final cancer treatment. The end of chemo marked the end of a season for our family.
The end of one season means beginning of another. Friday marked the beginning of a new season in my life as I moved to Nashville. It's a new adventure, but one that God began preparing me for a long time ago.
My greatest joy is seeing God set the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). Sometimes that happens when God graciously brings one of His children into His family through spiritual adoption. Sometimes it's when a family is led to take in a child through physical adoption. In both cases, the child receives a new identity and a new name. They have a future and a hope. They are loved. And the ultimate goal is that God's name is known and glorified.
Both are also costly. One required a sacrificed Son. The other requires an amount of money that is an obstacle for many families that feel led to adopt. As God calls families, He is also calling other believers, churches, and organizations to help overcome this obstacle.
One of those organizations is Show Hope. In their own words, "Show Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes individuals and communities to meet the most pressing needs of orphans in distress by providing 1) homes for waiting children through adoption aid grants, and 2) life-saving medical care for orphans with special needs."
To date, Show Hope has been involved in nearly 3,000 children coming home to their forever families, but it's more than a big number. It's about one child that is now loved. One of those children is Mareto, who was adopted from Ethiopia four months ago.
Mareto's sweet mom, Lauren, has allowed me to share a bit of their story with you. Before Mareto came home, their family was blessed with an adoption grant from Show Hope. Read from Lauren's heart here.
And a quick side note... Lauren makes the BEST accessories. I absolutely love my Poppie Lane jewelry! I highly recommend it all :) And 50% of the profit goes to other adoptive families. Does it get any better?!?
God is so clearly working through this organization to carry out the promise of Psalm 68:6. And I am so blessed to be joining this team and to be a small part of what He is doing to bless thousands of families and orphans in need around the world. I'm so excited about this new adventure and sharing it with each of you. Your prayers mean so much, especially in this time of transition. My favorite thing about the whole adventure is that it's so much bigger than me. The only explanation is God. As I step into this new season, I have never been more confident that I am exactly where I need to be.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
To my Sweet/Tootsie Rolls
You blew me away last night. I was just going to dinner, but apparently y'all had different plans. Thank you for that, but more importantly, thank you for doing life together this past year. There is no one else I would rather walk and learn and laugh alongside. You are each incredible women with so much sass and passion and love for the Lord and those He's given you. It's a miracle I did not become a blubbering mess last night, and I would prefer to avoid that today as well.
I thought the most appropriate way to express my heart would be to take a country song completely out of context and dedicate it to you. Every time this song comes on the radio, I ignore the verses and thank Jesus for you and your friendship when the chorus comes around. I'm not really sure why I always think of the Sweet Rolls when I hear it, but know that you will always be "my people".
These are my people
This is where I come from
We're givin' this life everything we got and then some
It ain't always pretty
but it's real
It's the way we were made
Wouldn't have it any other way
These Are My People
We fall Down and we get up
We walk proud and we talk tough
We got heart and We got nerve
Even If we are a bit disturbed
Thank you Rodney Atkins. Thank you girls. And thank you, Father, for meeting our needs far beyond our hopes and expectations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)