following grace

  He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18   Adoption is something the Lord has placed large on my heart. for going on almost 8 years now, one special little almost 11 year old {wait, WHAT?! not possible.} has absolutely stolen my heart.   it has been the greatest blessing to be his big sister, and best friend. we are the same person, in two bodies. gosh, God is so cool y'all. my twin is Asian! born from two different mothers, but loved by the same mother's heart. he has blessed me so big, and I cannot believe we've walked this road for 7 1/2 years.   I think the coolest thing about growing our family by 2 feet, has been the other families and people we've gotten to meet and reach out to in their process of adoption, or after they've already walked through it. the lifetime friendships, are some of my most treasured. ...

As I sat in church on Sunday, the Lord did a work in me. Anytime the sermon is on Adoption, I get chills. But this week my heart was shattered, I was shaken out of my seat.   I was so so broken. and burdened to move.    Realizing, that for the 6 years of having this sweet boy in our family that I have thought my job was done. I had rescued an orphan, helped the least of these. the end. Instead, my job is not done but it has just begun. There are 120,000 orphans in the USA alone. if one in every 1300 people who profess to be a Christian would do just as the word directs us to, and love the least of these. There would be NO orphans in the United States. If that doesn't get you, I'm not sure what will. We are called, as doers of the word to follow as the Lord leads. To go to all the nations, even our own and love the least of these. God is the Father to the Fatherless. They all need a heavenly father, but they just as well nee...

I absolutely cannot believe its been 6 years.   Six absolutely amazing years with our little Stephen Isaiah!   And since I cant be home to celebrate.. here's some fun memories over the years..   No one could complete our family more perfectly! We love you SIL!   Happy Happy Family Day!   -Austyn

That means the world to me... Adoption. My life just simply would be a different story without it. One word that has SO much impact on my heart. One word that brought this crazy wild indian to my little corner of the universe.   that brought joy to him but even greater joy to his forever family! another precious boy to call me sissy. to make me laugh so hard i can't breathe. and to know and thank the King of Kings, who rescued him and has such a perfect plan for his little life.   One word that has impacted millions and millions of children, who were once orphans.   Adoption. that one word that means the world.   Happy National Adoption Day!   -Austyn :)