“One million reasons why, you shouldn’t even try.
After all you’re just one heart, a single candle in the dark.
And there are shadows here, feeding on your fears,
That you don’t have what it takes – who are you to make a change?”

“Whatever you do, just don’t look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark.”

Today we celebrate the third anniversary of the day our adoption of the four younger kiddos was finally finalized. Three years ago, this day appropriately fell on our Thanksgiving day, which made it truly a day to be thankful for.

The above video shows our adoption journey, which began June 2014 with our first hosting trip.  It took two years, four hosting trips to the US, and three international trips to Eastern Europe later, before we could FINALLY say “It is official”. None of it was easy, none of it came without heart wrenching decisions and tears, but every single second was WORTH IT! I can’t imagine life without these kiddos in it.

At the time we were ecstatic to have finalized the adoption of our four, but we were also deeply saddened that the oldest had decided not to be adopted at that time. However, as our last post explains, we are now overjoyed that he also made the decision to be adopted and his adoption was finalized almost a year ago. We will have to update our video as we near the anniversary of our second adoption of our oldest young man.

I have said before that I came into this adoption journey with the wrong mindset that I was saving them. The truth is though, that they have saved ME. They have saved me from my selfishness.  They have saved me from my greed.  They have saved me from focusing on things that truly don’t matter in the end.  They have turned my heart outwards instead of inwards.  They have focused my heart on those things that are eternal, instead of the things of this world that will pass away. They have been a true blessing to our family. THANK YOU JESUS!

Now that I am on the other side of our adoption journey, I want to encourage you to pursue your passion, whatever it may be.  Live without regrets!  Take that leap of faith!  JUST DO IT!  Whatever you have been given, use it.  Whatever your talents are, employ them.  Whatever you are dreaming about, GO FOR IT!  It is never too late.  Have no regrets! Don’t let fear stop you, fear is a liar!

BE BOLD!

Take to heart these four points I learned from a sermon about where faith takes us…

—to the point where we need to make decisions that involve BIG RISK
—to the starting point of long journeys
—to the point of waiting for the impossible
—to the point of giving everything you have

Sometimes we just need to step out of the boat and have faith that even though we can’t see the end, God knows the ending, and he will never leave us or forsake us.

(song and lyrics are from “Pushing Back the Dark” by Josh Wilson)