There's A Family

Today will be the day I "officially" start my blog... going public as they say.  I have added many emails that have been sent to friends and family as well as the story of Levi's adoption.  There are different subjects....updates...and even just some of my random thoughts and ramblings.  In all of them it is my prayer and hope that you....whoever you are..whatever your circumstances will see our Creator and our Savior.  That He will speak to your heart in a way that is personal and only just for you! I ask for grace in my new endeavor!  I am just an ordinary person.....sharing my heart.
 
One of the reasons I have started to blog is because of family.  There are lots of different definitions of family. There is the family you are bonded with through genetics. There is the "family" in the church. Those who come along side you in joy and sorrows..and in just plain tough times.  There is "family" in some close friendships. The people who know you so well and are there for you like a brother!  So much so that they love you and feel like family to you! 

However, I have come to know another type of family. Over the past few years we have been blessed to be a part of a family that stretches over the whole world.  This family can have the same rhythm of heartbeat as you and live on the completely opposite side of the world. This family can join you on your knees in prayer for minutes or hours to lift you or others up in prayer.  This family shares a heart for the "least of these" that are so precious to our Father.  This family is the family of those caring for the orphan!  Many have adopted or cared for orphans in their home..or they may have supported those who step out in faith following a call from the Father.  Some members in this family are gifted with words and can plead the case of the orphan so fluently that it brings you to tears...and makes your heart leap with joy when one orphaned child is no longer alone!  This is the family that cares for the orphans of this world!  This is a community that stretches from ocean to ocean...from north to south and from east to west. This is family.
Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Being a part of this family is a gift. This isn't a group of people that have some magical training as parents.. or people that have some sort of "status" in their hometown communities... This is a group of humble, willing servants devoted to God and to what He calls them to do!  This is a group of people who are living out God's love in their everyday lives.  This group of people shares God's love with all those they encounter. AND this is a group of people that while they are connected because of Christ... most likely will not ever physically meet each other or sit down for dinner together on this side of Glory!

I am humbled that God would choose our family to care for His children... those we have by our flesh and those who joined differently by God's design for our family.  We have 2 older children. Matthew is married to Bree and they have a beautiful baby girl, Addison. Jessi is older as well and is mom to beautiful baby girl Milli!  Then we have our twin 14yr. old boys Jacob and Sam. And a year ago we adopted 5yr. old Levi from Ethiopia. We are excited to share that we are now adding 2 more precious little boys ~YES more boys! ~ to our family. The boys are 3yrs.old and yes, twins.  They are sweet little ones and they have a diagnosis of CP.  The boys are currently in an orphanage in Eastern Europe and being cared for there.  We cannot share a picture of them yet... but hope to after court if the country allows.

One of the blogs that I enjoy is called A Place Called Simplicity!  Oh a breath of fresh air and a life that speaks to living simply... and at the pace Jesus modeled... peaceful. As well as a family so beautifully designed by Him.  Pleae check them out here.  One of the posts that I love that Linny does is on prayer and fasting.  I am not a "seasoned faster" but I know that God loves and appreciates my heart and willingness to offer this up to Him. 

We know that God has called us to care for His children... we are willing and obediently stepping out in faith to do what He asks of us.
Loving the journey...and those along the way!