Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Little Children of the World

I wanted to share some really exciting news with everyone about my family clan! We are, hopefully, expecting two new little presents for Christmas this year. These are not just any presents but the kind that will eat fruit snacks, drink Kool-aid, give messy kisses and big bear hugs. The Lord has blessed our family with a referral from Ethiopia for two little kiddos who are actually first cousins but will now be brother and sister by adoption. My sister and brother-in-law have made the decision to adopt these little ones and bring them into our family for us to love and care for them. They have been patiently waiting for around two years for this adoption process to finally achieve fruition, and finally, only a few days ago, they received a call saying that all the waiting had paid off. They were finally going to see two of the greatest gifts the Lord has chosen for them. There are some logistical things that are underway as we speak, but hopefully will result in the swift culmination of the adoption process and them coming home to us. I understand that when the call came in, my sister was unbelievably beside herself, as probably most of us would be after waiting that long for something we wanted so bad. She is probably one big heap of emotions wanting to laugh in joy and in the next moment wanting to cry in worry for them until they actually hold them in their arms.

It is an enormous responsibility to take on two children in such a quick period of time. Even if they are your own biological children it would be a lot but perhaps even that much more when they are from a completely different culture and background. They are surely feeling the responsibility to provide for them physically but also to raise them into godly children who will hopefully follow the Lord for years and years. A huge responsibility, but what a great privilege to witness the glory of God through two very different sets of eyes. What a blessing for them to touch these two children and show them that Jesus loves them and teach them God's Word. I have thought about what the Lord is going to do with these two children in our family since I heard the news and I can only come up with exciting and wonderful things that only He knows and has yet to reveal to us. We wait in anticipation trusting in the Lord at all times knowing that He has sovereignly ordained this opportunity and created these children for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)


I wanted to post this exciting news and ask for you to please pray for them as they endeavor to bring these children back into their home and raise them along side their other two children, Isabella and Elijah. I know that as exciting this time is for them, there will surely be growing pains as is normal in this type of situation. There are several things I ask that you bring before the Lord when He brings it to your mind.

1. I ask that you pray that God will provide them with wisdom to know how to handle the day to day activities with 4 children instead of 2.
2. Please pray for the compassion of other people to bless Kimberly with time away from the children at times for renewal and refreshment.
3. Please pray for Brad that he will be a strong Daddy who will be able to have some quality time with all 4 of the children and still make time for Kimberly. Then there is other responsibility for provision of the family....
4. Please pray that all the children would engage easily with each other and begin forming the family bond quickly. I am praying for an extra measure of patience for Isabella and Elijah when they do not have their Mommy and Daddy all to themselves like they have had for 5 and 6 years up to this point.
5. Please pray especially for our family as we are adjusting to two new little ones as this new journey impacts all of us since we love Kimberly, Brad, Isabella and Elijah so much. Pray that it would draw us closer as a family and that we would be able to encourage, support and enjoy each other through life's little ups and downs that will inevitably happen.
6. Above all, please pray that God will be glorified in the words we speak and the actions we take. I pray for our examples to these children and pray that they would see Jesus in us - in our eyes, our hearts and throughout out lives.

I am so happy for our new little babies and can't wait for what the Lord will do with our family over the next several months and years to come. I pray for a healthy transition for them and us. This is an exciting time and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives, I'm sure.

Welcome to our family, Little Ones!

We can't wait to meet you!