It’s been just over two weeks since the first Joy in the Journey
Retreat concluded and I am still struggling to put what I witnessed into words.
Our CRAZY Team!
I believe God has been preparing my heart for this ministry
for many years, weaving exactly the right people into my journey and placing within
me a passion for connecting and encouraging those who are parenting kids who had difficult
beginnings. Once, in the midst of our
adoption journey, I was challenged to breathe in, breathe out, and clear my
head of the distractions of life’s circumstances and to just listen to what God
was whispering into my being.
From that time of meditation, I wrote “I want to help others
interested in orphan care. I’d like to
invest myself in this ministry. I know I
need to determine exactly where the need is and how God wants that to
look. I’m praying for answers on
when/how it will come to fruition.” I
remember tearfully tucking that note into my Bible on that Sunday just a few
short years ago, lacking faith that God could use me, a broken, grieving,
waiting mother, to help other families (I was barely holding it together
myself!), and yet determined that if it was His will, I would not miss out on
the opportunity to fulfill His call.
Even given my intention of obedience on that day not so long
ago, I am somehow still floored by God’s grace and sufficiency through my
weakness…His building of a ministry that is doing what He laid on my heart is
beyond what I can grasp. And, yet, I am
SO humbled and SO grateful that I get to have this front-row seat to watch how
He’s shaping this ministry that, at its core, strives to do what He laid on my
heart…to “help others interested in orphan care”. Such a simple sentiment, and yet, so
intricate in how He is shaping it to encourage and connect adoptive and foster
families.
Team Ethiopia! 12 kiddos from Ethiopia represented here {and several others on the way!}
I took the opportunity throughout last weekend to just pray
over the moms at the retreat. What a privilege
then to watch them be transformed by encouragement brought about through sessions
and connections with other moms who just “get it”. During this time of observation, I could feel
His still, small voice, whispering again just as clearly as that day at church
not so long ago, pleased with the works and the hearts of His good and faithful
servants (in the form of adoptive mothers).
I watched moms be His hands and feet to other moms who are currently
in the trenches. I observed ladies
rallying around other ladies they barely knew, encouraging them to fight the
good fight. I heard weary mamas asking
hard questions and mamas who had “been there” giving hard answers. I saw moms praying…for and with other moms,
knowing that their grief and their burdens were best left to the Author of life. I saw ladies listening {I mean, REALLY
listening} to each other, lending their ear, their shoulder, their hand in
comfort and friendship.
And, do you know what else I observed? Laughing, story-telling, singing, praising,
tears, smiles, all in a safe place that quickly felt comfortable and like it
was right where each of the women attending were supposed to be.
My Joy in the Journey Retreat Roomies
Our four babies were together at their Transition Home in Ethiopia two years ago. The retreat gave us an excuse to get them all back together for some crazy toddler time.
The Joy Team...this picture describes us perfectly! I couldn't ask for a better team {or friends} to do life and ministry with. Love these girls so much.
And, I think I’m crazy, but I’m kinda ready to do it again!
WOOT WOOT!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethank you for stepping out in faith over fear! blessed to know you, friend! can't wait for the retreat in 2015! :D
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