Katie from the Journey, see my blog side bar, writes about a woman in Uganda.

" Todi, widowed after her 3rd child was born, had recently taken in her sister's 5 children after her sudden death. " what was my choice" she asked. " God says I look after the orphans, I look after the orphans."

I am struck by this woman's sacrifice, taking on more children will mean less food or at times maybe no food for her own children. It is so clear to her that this is the right thing to do. I do wonder what it would be like to see this kind of suffering right before your eyes. Would I respond the way she would?

Lord, show me ways I need to "follow you". Help me to be willing to sacrifice like this woman has. Like your son has for us. I pray that I will always be willing to hold loosely to my time, family, space in our home.

For ways to help women like Todi go to http://147millionorphans.com/uganda

Gabriel is our 7.5 yr old. He has such a sweet heart. Adoption has opened our kids eyes to the needs around us and caused them to be salt and light at their schools and in the neighborhood.

I was looking through some of Gabes papers from school and found a paper with the question

What would you do with 100$ ? This is what Gabe wrote.

" I would put some of it in the bank. I would buy my sister Ela a Bible. Then would give the money to Ethiopian people and Indian people."

The other question he was asked is, Why I think I am lucky.

" I have food and most countries don't even have food. I am also lucky to have parents that care for me and I get to go to a nice school."

I love that his heart sees that there are needs in this world. It is so easy to become fixed on the material things of this world, thinking we don't have enough.

So thankful that the Lord called us to adopt!

I have been following this blog for a little while... www.nogreaterjoymom.com, their story is so beautiful. If you have time check it out.

Worth the Journey

Ela at the Doctor with Dad. I look at these pictures and see a new person. Praise God for his goodness!

This is the 1st picture we saw of Ela.

If you have not adopted, your missing out :)

That is a bold statement. But I have to say it. I can't imagine life without my two sisters, I can't imagine life without my two daughters.

Adoption brings something to your life that is like tasting a bit of heaven. Yes, it can be hard, it can be expensive, etc... But you are opening your life up to see the hand of God work. You see his heart for the orphan and his amazing provision. You see his heart for yourself, a former orphan. You see the road Christ walked in order to adopt you. I am a better person because of adoption! Don't miss out on this beautiful journey! Don't be afraid! Consider adoption because you also are adopted! :)

Adoption through the eyes of a almost 5 yr old and 6 yr old

They get it! I have been so amazed at Hudson and Ela's view on adoption. It's natural!! It's childlike and pure, undefiled.

The other night at the dinner table we were explaining to Ela that we are her family forever. That we love her and will never leave her. During this conversation Hudson reached over and put his hand on top of hers. They see one another as brother and sister! This is the Gospel.

Ela has completely embraced our family as her own. It is actually pretty unbelievable! She has come in and expected what any child living here since birth would. It is like she has been here all along. She has a deep confidence that she is a Parker and expects what comes with the new name.

I have been thinking a lot about this childlike faith. What would my life look like if I claimed all the rights that our Father in heaven gives us.

I was adopted into our heavenly fathers family about the same age as Hudson and Ela. It was so concrete, nothing caused doubt. As we get older some of that can fade.

We can be tempted to place our identity in things other than Christ. Those of us adopted by Christ have a new identity, a new family a new inheritance. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit that reminds us of our new identity.

" But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an Heir through God" Galatians 4:4-6

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then Heirs- Heirs of god and fellow Heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16

"And from this fullness we have received Grace upon Grace." John 1:16

May we all be a little more child like and truly believe that we have exchanged our "old self for the " new self", created after the likeness of God" (Eph. 4:22-24)

We have been casting for 6 weeks now. I think Ela's surgery will be April 8 or 15th. She really has been such a trooper. She has only had a few rough nights. It has been amazing to see her get around with her cast. She figured out how to ride a bike!