Today is Orphan Sunday.
Kevin records his sermons so I can listen to them after the service each week. I'm in children's church during that part of the service so I'm always thankful that I can go back and listen.
His message today, "Children of God", included some testimony about our adoption journey.
(Sermon Audio)
Adoption has taught us so much about the depth of God's love.
My heart is full and thankful.
I am sooooooo thankful for all the Lord has done and continues to do.
I am thankful for how Kevin continues to listen and follow the Spirit.
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God
decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to
himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave
him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. - Ephesians 1:4-6
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
This Month.
This month.
This month - November.
- National Adoption Awareness Month
- Orphan Sunday
- Travel approval for our trip to China - 11/11/16
- Flight to China - the day before Thanksgiving 11/23/16
- Sofi's Birthday - 11/27
- Sofi's Gotcha Day - 11/28
It floods my heart. It floods my mind.
This season will never be the same for our family.
It stirs in me intentionally with all the celebration.
It stirs in me unexpectedly from deep places.
The unexpected moments hit hard and sudden. Sofi is so deeply woven into who we are that two years seems so rigidly short. It's hard for me to swallow the fact that she spent her first three years without us. I can recall the facts and celebrate the anniversaries, but it's the pictures that hit my heart. The pictures remind me of the empty bed; the little praying hands of her brothers and sister; the gifts that waited; the first photos that gave us a glimpse. Then my mind swirls back. My heart recalls the ache. the wait. the uncertainty. the four years.
Suddenly, I'm overcome with thanksgiving because I replay the prayers of faith - and now I look at the answers to each. and. every. one.
Sofi is here, and we will celebrate.
"Sofi"
That's all she will accept. If you call her cute or silly or anything else - she says,
"No. I Sofi."
Sofi.
Sofi Shu Yarbrough
This month.
This month belongs to Sofi.
And we will pour out our thanksgiving to our great God.
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.- Psalm 136:4
This month - November.
- National Adoption Awareness Month
- Orphan Sunday
- Travel approval for our trip to China - 11/11/16
- Flight to China - the day before Thanksgiving 11/23/16
- Sofi's Birthday - 11/27
- Sofi's Gotcha Day - 11/28
It floods my heart. It floods my mind.
This season will never be the same for our family.
It stirs in me intentionally with all the celebration.
It stirs in me unexpectedly from deep places.
The unexpected moments hit hard and sudden. Sofi is so deeply woven into who we are that two years seems so rigidly short. It's hard for me to swallow the fact that she spent her first three years without us. I can recall the facts and celebrate the anniversaries, but it's the pictures that hit my heart. The pictures remind me of the empty bed; the little praying hands of her brothers and sister; the gifts that waited; the first photos that gave us a glimpse. Then my mind swirls back. My heart recalls the ache. the wait. the uncertainty. the four years.
Suddenly, I'm overcome with thanksgiving because I replay the prayers of faith - and now I look at the answers to each. and. every. one.
Sofi is here, and we will celebrate.
"Sofi"
That's all she will accept. If you call her cute or silly or anything else - she says,
"No. I Sofi."
Sofi.
Sofi Shu Yarbrough
This month.
This month belongs to Sofi.
And we will pour out our thanksgiving to our great God.
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.- Psalm 136:4
Saturday, July 14, 2018
May the Beauty Continue
Yesterday, July 13, we finalized a step in our adoption. The US requires a "readoption" so you can get a new birth certificate. We were all pretty nervous about going to court, but we had a great experience. Judge Hicks and everyone involved were all very kind, and the kids all got to ring an adoption bell.
It was another great excuse to celebrate Sofi and all God has done.
Donuts and a playground made a great ending.
Today I realized another amazing detail God has woven into this story. Two years ago on this day, July 13, 2016, was the day we mailed all of our China paperwork. It was the last step in our wait for a referral. Also on that day, I saw Sofi's face for the first time. I didn't know it was her - or for sure that she was my daughter - but I saved that sweet picture in my phone, wondering in my heart what might happen. I recorded that story in this post last year.
God keeps whispering His faithfulness in the coolest ways. I can't even fathom the fact that my AWESOME, ALL-POWERFUL GOD would care about dates, emotions, whispers of hope. Sofi's story is full of these dates and whispers and connections that can only be so intricately woven into one story by GOD.
July 13 - another date that speaks of God's great love. His great love for Sofi. Great love for each of us.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of GOD, and in His good time He will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to GOD, for He cares about what happens to you."
1 Peter 5:6-7
I am so thankful for this special reminder today. Our adoption journey had a pretty long start, but the real depth and action of it all was only beginning when we brought Sofi home. We are so thankful for the miracles we have seen in Sofi's health and stability. She is amazing, and God has brought her so far in such a short time. But, there are still struggles and worries in daily life. And she still has many things to face as she grows.
We still have a lot of hurdles in communication. Some of it is physical from her repaired cleft palate; some of it is still due to language; other layers still involve her emotional stability/security. We are about to enter a big step as she begins preschool this fall. That's a big step for all kids (including my Luke), but it holds some extra considerations and hesitations for her. I do ask for your prayers.
I ask for your prayers for Sofi's continued healing with her mouth and ability to speak more clearly. She does have a long way to go, but her gains are remarkable - truly.
Please, as I know so many of you have, continue to pray over our sweet daughter.
In spite of all the beauty God has brought from the ashes, there were ashes that began this story.
May the beauty continue.
He gives beauty for ashes,
strength for fear,
gladness for mourning,
peace for despair.
from Isaiah 6
Donuts and a playground made a great ending.
Today I realized another amazing detail God has woven into this story. Two years ago on this day, July 13, 2016, was the day we mailed all of our China paperwork. It was the last step in our wait for a referral. Also on that day, I saw Sofi's face for the first time. I didn't know it was her - or for sure that she was my daughter - but I saved that sweet picture in my phone, wondering in my heart what might happen. I recorded that story in this post last year.
God keeps whispering His faithfulness in the coolest ways. I can't even fathom the fact that my AWESOME, ALL-POWERFUL GOD would care about dates, emotions, whispers of hope. Sofi's story is full of these dates and whispers and connections that can only be so intricately woven into one story by GOD.
July 13 - another date that speaks of God's great love. His great love for Sofi. Great love for each of us.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of GOD, and in His good time He will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to GOD, for He cares about what happens to you."
1 Peter 5:6-7
I am so thankful for this special reminder today. Our adoption journey had a pretty long start, but the real depth and action of it all was only beginning when we brought Sofi home. We are so thankful for the miracles we have seen in Sofi's health and stability. She is amazing, and God has brought her so far in such a short time. But, there are still struggles and worries in daily life. And she still has many things to face as she grows.
We still have a lot of hurdles in communication. Some of it is physical from her repaired cleft palate; some of it is still due to language; other layers still involve her emotional stability/security. We are about to enter a big step as she begins preschool this fall. That's a big step for all kids (including my Luke), but it holds some extra considerations and hesitations for her. I do ask for your prayers.
I ask for your prayers for Sofi's continued healing with her mouth and ability to speak more clearly. She does have a long way to go, but her gains are remarkable - truly.
Please, as I know so many of you have, continue to pray over our sweet daughter.
In spite of all the beauty God has brought from the ashes, there were ashes that began this story.
May the beauty continue.
He gives beauty for ashes,
strength for fear,
gladness for mourning,
peace for despair.
from Isaiah 6
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Breath of Life
The weather is just awesome this weekend, and we LOVE playing outside. One of my favorite things is watching the kids run - full speed - across the yard. There's a special freedom in an open space on a sunny day.
It all goes up a whole new level when I watch Sofi's strength and freedom. She is a runner, and she beams with the best giggle and glow when she runs across the yard.
I have to give some testimony here, because God has literally breathed Life into this sweet girl before our eyes.
It's hard to verbalize all Sofi has overcome in a very short time. Her body composition when we first held her was beyond words. She had ZERO muscle tone. She was 3 years old, but could hardly keep on 18-month clothes. Her left foot sort of dragged as she walked. Poor nutrition and immobility had delayed her growth and development.
Almost immediately, we saw things change. By the end of the two weeks in China, she was choosing to walk and explore. In our first months home, we literally saw the muscle appear on her precious arms and legs.
You can see in this video from just a little over a year ago that she developed a special little gallop as her legs strengthened. This video was a highlight in the first months home. We were so thankful as she began to move better and better.
Her limp did not last long.
Her body changed, and Sofi has run miles and miles now.
This weekend I stood with the most thankful heart, watching all four of my blessings run free with kites. I can't even describe how beautiful it is.
Sofi has also finally grown tall enough in the last couple of months to reach her big wheels pedals.
I promised God from the very beginning that I would testify of His Love and miracles, because I knew there would be miracles. It brings me so much joy to share these videos with you.
There's so much more, though, that won't show through a video.
There is amazing physical evidence to God's Love and transformation in Sofi, but there is much more beneath the surface. Sofi has come to life and grown, even on the inside. Her personality radiates now, and she gives and receives love like never before.
The Spirit of God has and is breathing Life in Sofi - and in all of us.
The Spirit of God gives life in the physical, but the real changes go far beyond what we can see. And the more He changes us, the more real the "invisible" becomes.
When God breathes, it billows into your core and surges Life into everything.
If you've experienced the breath of God, you know what I mean. If you haven't - seek Him - ask Him. He has made us to need Him, and He wants us to seek Him.
Ezekiel gives this awesome picture of the life-giving power of God's breath in chapter 37.
Verse 6 says, I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
And we see even the beginning of life being formed with His own breath.
Once you experience Him as your source, you feel suffocated any time you step away. You cling to Him harder than scuba gear in the deep.
You know the reality of your Life-source, when you see the transformation: the change in priorities; the intensifying of love; purpose that supersedes the mundane.
When His Word becomes the source and guide for even the smallest obedience - you are drawing your breath from Him.
When your confidence has NOTHING to do with yourself - but a constant dependence on God.
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. -Psalm 37:23-24
God has a way of securing our footing and stabilizing our steps, just like he has done for Sofi in the physical.
Paul proclaims in Acts 17:
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
God is awesome!
I am so thankful for His Breath of Life - AWAKE MY SOUL
It all goes up a whole new level when I watch Sofi's strength and freedom. She is a runner, and she beams with the best giggle and glow when she runs across the yard.
I have to give some testimony here, because God has literally breathed Life into this sweet girl before our eyes.
It's hard to verbalize all Sofi has overcome in a very short time. Her body composition when we first held her was beyond words. She had ZERO muscle tone. She was 3 years old, but could hardly keep on 18-month clothes. Her left foot sort of dragged as she walked. Poor nutrition and immobility had delayed her growth and development.
Almost immediately, we saw things change. By the end of the two weeks in China, she was choosing to walk and explore. In our first months home, we literally saw the muscle appear on her precious arms and legs.
You can see in this video from just a little over a year ago that she developed a special little gallop as her legs strengthened. This video was a highlight in the first months home. We were so thankful as she began to move better and better.
Her limp did not last long.
Her body changed, and Sofi has run miles and miles now.
This weekend I stood with the most thankful heart, watching all four of my blessings run free with kites. I can't even describe how beautiful it is.
Sofi has also finally grown tall enough in the last couple of months to reach her big wheels pedals.
I promised God from the very beginning that I would testify of His Love and miracles, because I knew there would be miracles. It brings me so much joy to share these videos with you.
There's so much more, though, that won't show through a video.
There is amazing physical evidence to God's Love and transformation in Sofi, but there is much more beneath the surface. Sofi has come to life and grown, even on the inside. Her personality radiates now, and she gives and receives love like never before.
The Spirit of God has and is breathing Life in Sofi - and in all of us.
The Spirit of God gives life in the physical, but the real changes go far beyond what we can see. And the more He changes us, the more real the "invisible" becomes.
When God breathes, it billows into your core and surges Life into everything.
If you've experienced the breath of God, you know what I mean. If you haven't - seek Him - ask Him. He has made us to need Him, and He wants us to seek Him.
Ezekiel gives this awesome picture of the life-giving power of God's breath in chapter 37.
Verse 6 says, I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
And we see even the beginning of life being formed with His own breath.
Once you experience Him as your source, you feel suffocated any time you step away. You cling to Him harder than scuba gear in the deep.
You know the reality of your Life-source, when you see the transformation: the change in priorities; the intensifying of love; purpose that supersedes the mundane.
When His Word becomes the source and guide for even the smallest obedience - you are drawing your breath from Him.
When your confidence has NOTHING to do with yourself - but a constant dependence on God.
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. -Psalm 37:23-24
God has a way of securing our footing and stabilizing our steps, just like he has done for Sofi in the physical.
Paul proclaims in Acts 17:
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
God is awesome!
I am so thankful for His Breath of Life - AWAKE MY SOUL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)