Since my last post, all I can come up with for a title is: "What Has Happened!"
I think about that statement being so relevant in so many ways! First, I think - "What has happened since my last post!?" Then I think, "What has happened to our family because of this amazing experience we've just been through!?" Then I wonder, "What has happened to this time!? It FLEW by!?" Finally I think, "What has happened to sweet Anna?"
Well, let me think, what has happened since my last post...
To sum that up and come back to it in another blog... We had the amazing opportunity to host Anna from Ukraine. We had a phenomenal Christmas with her. I would say her hosting was "picture perfect," and we really feel blessed. Of course, she was not perfect... but neither are we! The fact that we both saw the grace of God in our relationships made our experiences - a memory we will hold onto for the rest of our lives. Sadly, we are not able to adopt Anna because in Ukraine, parents need to be 15 years older than their child... and we fall 1 year short. Though we understand the rules, we consider her our responsibility now. We had the time of our lives with her, we really did. We had to say goodbye on January 15th and the wound from that parting is still very fresh. However, we are bound and determined to help her from this point on. More about that later on.
What has happened to our family?
We are changed.
We went into this hosting experience with no thought of adoption, no interest in adoption, and simply as a way to minister to an orphan for Christmas. In no way were we planning on coming out of it with a desire to adopt, a passion for orphans, and a spiritual revival from the Lord like we have never experienced before! By taking the leap of faith to host, we had to raise $3000 in a hurry. In fact, we signed up to host Anna on the last day allowed to sign up! That gave us ONE MONTH... to raise $3000. My husband... skeptical. I was determined --- and with God's hand in absolutely everything --- it happened! I still marvel at HIS work!
Though we were nervous about the language barrier, God worked it out. Though we were concerned about how she would fit in our family, God worked it out. Though we were concerned about how in the world we would say goodbye... God GRACIOUSLY has helped us with this as well! Through friends, neighbors, and people we didn't even know... God has provided, helped, encouraged, and made Himself so amazingly evident in everything about this hosting experience. Praise. Be. To. God!
We have a new passion for orphans... the Lord is working in both my husband and I in great ways in this area and we are excited to see where He leads.
As for where the time has gone...
We don't know.
It was not long enough.
We ache to spend one more day with Anna! We are praying she will find a forever family in America. We are praying that she has a future that is full and bright no matter where she is! We are praying that she will live a life that is honoring and glorifying to God. Time is going so fast and she is unadoptable SO soon! We fear that time is not in her favor... though, God is bigger than time. God controls it! So, we are trusting... and praying.
Finally, what has happened to sweet Anna?
She blossomed!
From her first picture with us, to her last picture with us - she looks like a new person!
She needs a family. Perhaps she belongs with YOUR family?
I will be giving more information about our hosting experience and more about Anna... I just had to post since it's been a while. Too long. My apologies.
For now, this is all I can write... but I will be back soon!
God Bless!!
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NEW HORIZONS FOR CHILDREN
