Great article in Christianity Today...

You know what a passion I have for adoption - obviously, with five our eight children adopted!

Well, I was referred to this article and it put it so well, I choose not to add too much!

Read this: Abba Changes Everything

Some of my favorite quotes:

Our churches ought to be showing the families therein how love and belonging transcend categories of the flesh. Instead, though, it seems God is using families who adopt to teach the church. In fact, perhaps we so often wonder whether adopted children can really be brothers and sisters because we so rarely see it displayed in our pews.

The demonic rulers of the age hate orphans because they hate babies—and have from Pharaoh to Moloch to Herod to the divorce culture to malaria to HIV/AIDS. They hate foster care and orphan advocacy because these actions are icons of the gospel's eternal reality.

This is why James—the brother of Jesus—tells us that caring for widows and orphans is the essence of "pure and undefiled" religion (1:27). And Jesus himself—adopted by the righteous Joseph—identifies himself with the "least of these my brothers" (Matt. 25:40). And he tells us that the first time we hear his voice in person, he will be asking if we did the same.

In saying that orphan care is missional, I do not mean that every Christian is called to adopt or foster a child. But every Christian is called to care for orphans. As with every aspect of Christ's mission, a diversity of gifts abounds. Some have room at their table and in their hearts for another stocking on the mantle by this coming Christmas. Others are gifted financially to help families who would like to adopt but cannot figure out how to make ends meet. Others can babysit while families with children make their court dates and complete home-study papers.

Still others can lead mission trips to rock and hug and sing to orphans who may never be adopted. Pastors can simply ask whether anyone in their congregation might be called to adopt or foster parent, or to empower someone who is. And all of us can pray—specifically and urgently—for orphans the world over.

The kingdom of God isn't quiet. Instead it's like my house these days, "like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men" (Mic. 2:12).

As we welcome orphans into our homes, we can show the orphaned universe what it means to belong to a God who welcomes the fatherless.

Like him, let's welcome children into our homes, our churches, and our lives, especially those we are not supposed to want.


I had to comment on the wonderful article - I hope it impacts someone.

Today we picked strawberries (I know, we were a bit late, but the berries were still good, though not as large as they might have been)! In less than an hour we picked 45 pounds of strawberries and as of now, 10:30 PM, we have the last of the berries processed in jam, and some even made into our first try at strawberry jam. And still a huge pot for the kids to eat - and they are disappearing rapidly!!!! LOL!

I think we surprised the folks at the strawberry patch - the kids working alongside us, getting so much done so fast (from 6:30 to 7:30PM), and then the kids so polite in general. They had to bring out their granddaughter to meet the kids - not sure what that was quite about, but it was interesting. I don't think I can count how many times they commented on how hard the kids worked, what good workers they were, and on and on in that mode. Our response was that "of course they are, they like strawberry jam!!!"

But, we will be back later this week for raspberries!!! I had better get more pectin! I will have to post pictures - it is amazing how quickly stuff gets done when we all pitch in!

We are working hard and praying for continued provision for working towards this possible adoption means. I don't know where God is taking it, but we have one more fee to pay and then the home study is sent out. And the rest is up to God if He so chooses. We have a fun jewelry sale coming up on my birthday - I will post about that again later. Other than that, I am just taking my hours, getting creative with selling things, Steve's artwork is going back on sale, and we are making cat toys for sale at the farmer's market, and we are putting lots on Amazon. So, we are working hard as always! LOL!

Hope you had a great Independence Day!
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11