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 (at first!) but after 2.5 years, I was ready! 

I wanted to have biological children.

I wanted all boys.

I was/am terrified of childbirth & am not really a “baby person”

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)

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

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

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

to be used by Him and for Him
to make Him known & make Him famous
to love god & love others

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.

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.