I know we often look at our children and relish in their beauty…how they are fearfully and wonderfully made. How they are miracles. Today–as I was reading Psalm 139–it really hit me that this Psalm isn’t saying, “My child is fearfully and wonderfully made” BUT rather “I am”. It was as if the Lord was […]
The Young Family Farm »
Category Archives: Inspirational I told you I’ve been reflecting while at the beach with my sweet family…that seems to happen often in this momma’s heart when I get away–as so often I’m crazy chasing littles, homeschooling and scrambling for what’s for dinner much too late in my day. I’ve also been reflecting as any transition for one of […] Andrea- this is so incredibly beautiful. I can’t tell you how much these words touched my heart. I appreciate your honesty and sincerity and for sharing this amazing song too. Such a beautifully written expression of redeeming love. Thank you for stepping up to help so many families through the “first years.” Jessica beautiful. all of it. Love the message of redemption here—this is beautifully written, feels like you got right inside my heart. As someone who also agrees that thost agency trainings are a joke and who loves ETC, THANK YOU for this post 🙂 I’m tucking this away to read and re-read now and in the future. Thank you for your honesty and sharing your story! Andrea, this is so timely as I have been mulling over many of the same thoughts you share here. We are only 6 mths in to a domestic adoption from foster care and already it looks almost nothing like what I imagined. 2 of the siblings aren’t with us and there are days when I look at my bio kids and pray for God to protect their hearts and give them understanding of the situations beyond their young years. I find myself surrendering almost daily to God after I have selfishly tried to “fix” their problems or behaviors through tough discipline instead of stepping back and looking and praying to see what the root cause is. The flesh in me sighs at the truth that 12 years of hurt and damage will likely take as long to heal, but we cling to the truth that His mercies are new every morning…thank you for writing what I couldn’t put into words…I will be sharing with family who don’t understand why we “put up” with the things we do. God bless you in your journey… i hope to be able to attend a CFC conference one day 😉 Wonderful post Andrea. So many challenges unique to parenting a child who’s experienced trauma. How in the world is it done without God?! Thank You! Thank You! I totally understand how hard it is to describe all the feelings that go along the initial attachment process. No amount of training ahead of time prepare us for that. For me, the good outweigh the hard. But at the same time I find myself relying on the Lord so much more than ever with my bio kids. It’s a beautiful journey that is as much for the parent as it is for the child. Andrea, The second child I adopted was almost 12. She had been through 10 foster homes. I knew from experience that it was going to be a tough transition and even harder because she was so hurt. She was 100 times tougher than my other daughter. She screamed, she cussed, she threw things, she pushed us all away, she was suspended from school 4 times in six months. Through it all I was patient, and loving, and praying with her and for her to accept us as family. I sought out help for both of us and for all of us as a family. She refused to participate. I told her no matter how hard she pushed, I would always love her. Then, my second daughter came to me and told how she was being abused physically, mentally, and sexually by this little girl. I pushed to have her placed in a mental health facility so she could get the help she needed. She was there for 9 months. She refused to come home and threatened some pretty horrific things if she were forced. A judge finally decided that it was not in my other children’s best interest to take her back into our home. She has been out of my home for three years now. There is a piece of my heart that will always be broken for the little girl who couldn’t accept family. Legally she is still my daughter, but last month she petitioned the court to change her name back to her biological name. The judge asked her why she wanted the change. And her answer was because they hurt me by wanting to love me, I don’t want to be loved. Breaks my heart. And, yes, I still love her with all my heart. You are right adoption is not for the faint of heart. It can and does often end well. My first adopted daughter is now 16 and I can’t imagine life without her. Thank you for sharing your truths. People need to be prepared for it when they say yes. That child will always have a biological family no matter how young they are when adopted. My daughter was horrifically abused and still, she wants to make contact with her dad (mom was murdered in a drug deal gone bad) because “he has probably changed by now”. Sorry to be so wordy. It is just not often that folks write about the more challenging side of adoption. It is a journey of many ups and downs, but one that is worth taking. I would do it again in a heart beat, but right now my girls just don’t feel like they can go through it again. This is my “blog”. I write it mainly for family, but feel free to read some of the trials we have been through. aknned.blogspot.com/ #1..LOVE that song. one of my faves. I have sang it many many times crying out to God. #2..thanks for sharing the real story. so many times I have looked at blogs/fb updates and wondered “what is wrong with us?” because it didn’t look like what everyone else was sharing. I was exhausted and feeling so alone many times. and oh the guilt of not having oooey gooey feelings in the beginning with one of them. thanks for sharing your heart. Andrea, I have been reading your blog for a couple of years now while my husband and I have steadfastly prayed about adopting, but have never commented. We have three bio boys and are now in the home study process of adopting from Ethiopia! We are so excited and yet completely terrified at the same time. However, we know that He will equip us and lead us through this entire process. I just want to thank you for writing such an honest and sincere post. I plan to pass this on to our friends and family so that they can better know how to support us when we bring our little one home. I’m sure I will be rereading this in the months to come. It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone in some of the uncertainty that I’m already feeling. Thank-you! YOU are a blessing. Thank you so much for sharing this. I saw the link on a friend’s facebook page. I have ‘always wanted to adopt’, though I know the challenges are immense. Reading your post made me wonder what you would say to someone who was where you were before this journey began for you? Andrea- thank you thank you thank you! I have been feeling sooooo alone lately in this. I could write so much, but I just want to say, I identify so much with what you wrote in this post, and I totally think the Lord has used it to encourage me. Thank you so much for listening to Him and being transparent. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for your honesty and sincerity. These are the words our family needed to hear today. He alone is faithful. Praise the LORD! This is Beautiful ,Thankyou needed this today ! Andrea, I really appreciate for your honesty. As we wait to pick up our little girl from China, I have been trying to prepare my heart for just how difficult, humbling, rewarding, crazy, yet beautiful our life with our daughter will be. I’m thankful for the example of godly mothers and families who have walked this path before us. It is such a blessing to have “met” you online although I wish I could ask you so much in person! Praise our Father who has adopted us out of lonely, desolate places, and set our feet upon the rock, and praise Him for allowing us to do the same for these little ones. Excellent! I could relate to so much that you said. Especially the part about thinking you would have adopted again by now 🙂 We just celebrated three years home today (June 1st) with our daughter from China! Such a blessing! But oh so hard also. Been in the process to adopt from UG for 16 months and we wait for His clear direction. Blessings to you!!! Thank you!!! Sorrow and Joy–these are the two feelings that often stir a tornado in my heart…keeping me want to stay forever close to Jesus. When you walk with Jesus, you learn quickly that much of His ways do not make sense. The path of following Him is often paved with both sorrow and joy–many times not […] Andrea, I can’t wait to see how God leads you in the days ahead. This post is amazing, and so is the journey that you are on. Thanks for being such an encouraging voice to so many of us. Blessings to you and your family! I just read your blog and forwarded it to a friend. Her bestie just did the same thing last year. They saw a picture of a 15 year old girl who was about to age out, and likely forced into a sex trafficking situation. They made a stand and brought Juliana home. She is stunning, and just said her oath of citezenship to be a proud American. They did the same 5 wk program, and it helped with bringing her home permanently. There is also an awesome church there Hillson Kiev that is trying to put an end to sex trafficking in the Ukraine! Blessings!! We, too, hosted a young man from the Ukraine through a similar program about 5 years ago. Some friends ended up adopting him. It was a fabulous journey of faith and although he wasn’t to be ours forever ( he was older than my oldest child), he was used by the Lord to open our hearts to adopt our little treasure from Russia.  One of my FAVORITE preschool children’s books for Easter time is “My Easter Basket: And the real story of Easter“. It links the colors of eggs in your basket to the Easter story as each color represents a part of the story. As one of the “party moms” in Isaac’s 2 year old preschool class […] I am loving the Easter egg idea, awesome! I will keep your health in my prayers! Haven’t stopped praying. Believing every need will be supplied with more to spare…kinda like the little boy and the lunch which fed the 5,000…you never feel like it’s enough but everyday God will multiply and those around you will be fed. He already is doing that with everything your hand touches. I am reading through Hudson Taylor’s biography right now, missionary to China. Loving this quote: ‘”I cannot read,’ he said when things were at their worst; ‘I cannot pray, I can scarcely even think–but I can trust.'” Yes Lord, we can trust. I know it feels like a baptism of fire sometimes, but just like the men in the fiery furnace…there’s a fourth man in the flames. You’re not just being delivered “out of”, your deliverance is happening right now, right in the midst of your trial. And STREAMS of refreshing are coming. Love, Rory Night intercessor reporting for duty…praying the pain & the fear away…My heart is heavy knowing just how draining the AB therapy is for a supermom. We give refrigerated probiotics & yogurt to pts with H.Pylori to increase chance of eradicating the bacteria. It may help to blanch those veggies in boiling water & to avoid eating skins of fruit while your immune system is suppressed. Praying that you will give yourself permission to rest, it’s so hard but it will be worth it. Praying for miraculous & undeniable healing! Doesn’t that sounds like a title for The Berenstain Bears? Love those books by the way. Today was a GREAT day. Taught the kids school. Learned of minor catastrophe…which made me smile instead of panic because I know the Lord’s got it. I will NOT worry about the minors–or the majors. LOVED checking in with […] Believe that your faith had a profound effect on that doctor. God is working on him through you. It is not every day that a physician feels free from the constraints of his profession to stop to pray with a patient. He was another “ripple” and he will pass on the story of your awe inspiring faith and speak to more hearts about how prayer heals. We are praying for great days, lots of energy, and for those doctor visits to go away but honestly I think you are doing exactly what God intended all along! Even healthcare professionals need Jesus. This too shall pass! Stay strong! Grateful or the good news. Touched by your doctor’s question & prayer. Blessed by your teaching during your trials. And tickled (once again) by Frank! That is some HUGE AWESOMENESS!!!!!!! Your faith, your sharing, your healing- and I am BELIEVING WITH YOU SISTER, your doctor’s prayer, your son’s faith, and your commitment to the Lord!!!!!! You completely inspire me 🙂 THANK YOU!!! Wow. Love to hear how God is using all of this for His glory. You are walking through this trial so faithfully. Praying that God is going to bring your through this valley 100% whole and healed!!! What a beautiful thing to have such a godly doctor! I hope you are at 100% your next visit! |
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by admin
Thank you for that reminder, Andrea! Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of motherhood, and lose focus on the gifts that God has given us to love without abandon. Having you break it down that way helps put this first year homeschooling momma’s purpose back into perspective! Love keeping up with all that God is blessing you and your family with! It certainly is encouraging my husband and me in our desire to adopt. God bless!