Family Christmas looks Different than it Used to

Last week we had our big family Christmas (where my sister, her husband and I had the great privilege of giving Grandma and Grandpa a gift of purpose towards the Lifesong School in Zambia.  They LOVED it!)  

As we do every year, we gathered in a large circle to sing Christmas carols and open gifts.  Let me emphasize, right now, that I don't use the word "large" lightly.  This year's circle was made up of:

2 grandparents,

their 6 children including spouses,

18 grandchildren including their spouses,

39 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way),

and 2 great aunts (sisters of my grandpa).  

So yes, when I say large, I mean LARGE.

And here's the cool part.  As I looked around at those 39 little kiddos I saw 3 Guatamalans, 1 Chinese with Cerebral Palsy, and 3 bi-racial foster kids.  

I thought about how all 7 of these beautiful children could have gone through their lives not knowing real love... being labeled the foster kid, the girl with special needs, the orphan.

Instead their labels include Suhny-love and Laylee-lou.  Instead they are a part of a family Christmas where they can sing and laugh (and sometimes even get a good scolding or two), knowing full well that they are loved... a LOT.

I am so thankful to my grandparents for passing down a legacy of love towards our Heavenly Father, towards our family, and towards others.  I am so thankful that their son, my dad, decided 8 years ago to transfer his title from "business man" to "orphan advocate."  I am so thankful that Lifesong for Orphans has become what it has to not only my family, but other families too.  I am so thankful that my great God, my Daddy set the ultimate example of adoption when He adopted me!

I am so thankful that my family Christmas looks different than it used to.

How about our adoptive families out there... How has your Christmas changed since adoption became a part of your story?

 

Score!

Red Card Kids was designed to raise awareness about children at risk and inspire a reaction among families in the church

(Don't know what I'm talking about?  click HERE or check out their website HERE)

One 11-year-old boy took what he learned in this 8-week class to heart.  When Jacob found out that more children die from malaria than AIDS he wanted to come with a way to help.

As a soccer player, he asked people to donate money for every goal his team made that season.  The money Jacob was raised would then go towards buying mosquito nets for children on the other side of the world. 

Wow, Jacob, this is really awesome!  Keep it up!

If you want to know more, here’s a link to an article from the Denver Post highlighting Jacob’s story.

 

Celebrating Freedom and Family

This summer John and Kelly welcomed home two beautiful girls, Yana and Tavi.  In a letter, they wrote,

Yana and Tavi made their journey home from Bulgaria onto US soil on July 4th, 2010.  Fireworks welcomed them as the plane landed in Kansas City.  It was Independence Day, and the girls were finally free.

Welcome home girls!  We are so blessed to be a part of your story!

A Reason to Praise

Six years ago I had the opportunity to go to Ukraine with Lifesong and put on a Vacation Bible School program for kids at Loubetin Orphanage.  It was my second year to Ukraine and this country.... these children... definitely held a piece of my heart that I would never get back... nor to did I want to.

This particular year I developed a special relationship with one 14 year old girl, named Sveta.  We would spend hours hitting a volleyball back and forth or holding hands as we sang with the group.  When I left we cried and hugged and through a translator said our goodbyes.  She told me not to forget her.  I told her I never would.  I prayed with her that hot afternoon in Ukraine.  I prayed that she would draw near to Christ and grow in Him as she matured into adulthood.

Every year I went back I would see my "little sister" Sveta.  Every year I was able to watch my prayers come true.  Praise the Lord!

This month, at 21, Sveta was married.  Her husband, Ura, comes from a family in the church.  He loves Sveta, but even more, He loves God.

It has been such an honor, to watch this young girl grow into a Godly woman.  And now, when I think of the statistics... when I think how her life could have turned out... I just have to praise the Lord!

Congratulations, Sveta!  I love you and am so proud of the woman you've become!

and our winner is...

Well... we'll get to that in a minute.

First I want to share with you a story of a young couple who desired a family of their own.  A young couple who had plans.  A young couple who were given new plans designed by God.

Meet Matt and Christie

 

When Matt and Christie decided to have children they experienced a series of miscarriages and infertility.  And so the adoption process began, a decision made easier by the support of friends who had already adopted and an interest-free loan provided by Lifesong.

They originally decided to adopt a Caucasian newborn domestically, but when they discovered a greater need to adopt non-Caucasian babies, they felt God prompting them to move in that direction.  Meanwhile they also discovered they were pregnant!

Knowing that God had placed adoption on their hearts for a time and purpose they decided to continue with their adoption process and on August 13, 2010, they were given little Micah Aaron.

Now Matt and Christie are experiencing God's fullness (and business) with their new baby boy and a baby on the way in October!

Congratulations Matt and Christie!  We are blessed to be a part of your story!

And now, on to the winner of 1 Gobena t-shirt and 1 Journey On CD...

The winner is...

Joy Bass Ohler!

Congratulations, Joy!  

You can email leah@lifesongfororphans.org with your information and we will send you your prize!