Tree of Memories

We almost didn't get a tree this year. The month seemed to be passing by so quickly. Last Sunday it started snowing during church, so we decided to take the kids out and get a tree.


Out of all the preparations for Christmas, the tree has always been my favorite. Our trees were never the fancy color-coordinated ones. Our tree is always a tree of memories. From the time I was born I received ornaments from my grandmothers to commemorate each passing year. Each special and unique in its own way. After my grandmothers passed away, my mom kept up the tradition and has added to our ornament collection each year. As I unpack them each Christmas I am reminded of the love with which each was given. At Christmas, I realize that that love is nothing compared to the perfect and unconditional love God has for each of us. I hope you all are able to find that love this season.

A new journey begins

J and I have always talked about adopting internationally. Over the past 6 months or so, God kept putting the idea on our hearts and with E getting older it seemed like the right time to start the process. God brought several families into our lives that were in various stages of the adoption process, but all of them had used the same agency and had good experiences with them, so we too will be using All God’s Children International (AGCI).

J and I had always talked about adopting from China, but after investigating the process in the countries AGCI works with and the countries themselves, we really felt God leading us to Africa. AGCI has an orphan care and adoption program in Ethiopia. We have just completed our application and I am mailing it today. It will be 10-13 months before we can travel to pick up our child. There are papers, interviews, fundraising and waiting to go through between now and then, since we are at the very beginning stages of a long process.

We are very excited. For us this is just like being pregnant, only the labor pains will be a little different this time around! We are also a little nervous, but know that we are being faithful to what God has called us to do and with Him on our side nothing is impossible.