Why Gloriously Ruined

the past few years have been quite the journey.
a journey that has gloriously ruined our lives.
the plans & dreams we had for our family are beyond different than the plans God had for our  family.
I wanted to wait 5-7 years to have kids after marriage but 2.5 years in, God changed my heart overnight.
I wanted to have biological children.
I wanted all boys.
I was/am terrified of childbirth & am not really a “baby person”.
god knew.

he knew all along that he was going to bless us with two beautiful ethiopians

he knew the road it would take to get us there.

he knew it would be bumpy, rocky, wonderful & surprising (thanks for putting it so beautifully Jenna)

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[first time to Africa together, in Uganda on Stephens 29th birthday, August 2011]

he also knew that it would lead us to Africa

and to our love affair with orphan care, clean water efforts and responsible shopping

he knew it would lead us to the adoption community,

to have a passion to support missionaries all over the world

to be a part of giving a child a great education & lots of love through child sponsorship

[my first day in Korah, Ethiopia.  this day forever changed my world.  and so did the boy in yellow]

he knew it would transform the way we look at the world

it would erase “color” from our eyes

it would open the door for others to see gods heart for the orphan

Korah 06
[THIS is us.  loving + serving kids in Korah, August 2011]

 

he knew it would gloriously ruin our lives.


[the day we met the kids! June 2012]

our lives look dramatically different than before.

not that we are “better”

our eyes are just open more

now that we have SEEN, we can’t pretend we don’t know

we are responsible.

we want to live radical lives for jesus.

we want to continue to be wrecked & ruined

lying down our plans & dreams and ambitions to live the “american dream”

to follow His will for our life instead

to be used by Him and for Him

to make Him known & make Him famous

to love god & love others


We want to live HIS story.  

 

14

I was never “one of those” radical people that had “a heart for the nations”

but now I am.

god changed my heart and wrecked my world

and he can do the same for you

if you just ask.


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pray.

listen.

then pray some more.

then act.

just take the next step that He is calling you and your family to

be you, don’t be someone else.  don’t live vicariously through someone else.

don’t believe the lie that “having a heart for the nations” or adoption is for “someone else”

it’s for all of us.

reach out & claim it.

your life will never be the same– it will be GLORIOUSLY ruined.

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korah, Ethiopia summer 2013

 

Hey, I'm Wynne!

Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life.  I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.

A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!

let'e be friends

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