What Does Love Look Like?

Tensions are beginning to mount in anticipation of Therese's upcoming surgery.

I had a gut-wrenching, yet precious, conversation with Evelea yesterday. She asked me what was the worst thing that could happen during surgery. Before I could answer, she choked out, "well, I guess I know the worst thing". My heart sank and we had a few tears. I reassured her of the expertise of the surgeon and of the need to do the surgery in the first place. Evelea told me that she really doesn't think Therese would die, because God has not prepared her for that, and she just knows He would prepare her for something like that.

Whoa.

Therese has been expressing a mixture of excitement and fear about the surgery. She notifies everyone we encounter of the surgery date- April 13! She is counting down the days- five more! She must have told me six times this evening that she is scared. She also wants the doctor to take a picture of her heart.

Now that surgery is upon us, I am faced with some intrusive thoughts like "why in the world are we doing this again?. Why would we willingly walk down this risky road? Why did we invite this stress into our lives and worse- our kid's lives? How could we do this to them?"

I think I know why.

Because this is what love looks like.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

I Corinthians 13:7-8b

Because if the roles were reversed, and I couldn't care for my child anymore, and she was left alone, and was sick, I would want someone to help her.

Because we have been blessed so much in this life, how could we withhold a blessing from someone else?

When Casey and I got married, we picked a Bible verse as our mission statement for our marriage:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b

Because we know we have been given so very much and we are compelled to share it.

Because I don't want to be the kind of person who sees pain and walks away.

Because I want my kids to be the kind of people who understand what is important in life and have seen what the body of Christ looks like. I want them to say yes to God and be used by God.

Because I don't want my kids to be afraid of pain. I want to them to go near, and persevere, and bring the comfort and love they have been given.

Because I want to see a miracle.

"When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;

I will not be afraid."

Psalm 56: 10

Change in Plans

Well, Therese's surgery date has been moved up to April 13th. Since we have been on Spring Break visiting Casey's family in OH, Therese has had a very difficult time going up and down the stairs and has an increase in the pain in her legs. Our cardiology team said we should not wait any longer, and got us the next available date.

Let the prayers begin!

Heart Update

The decision has been made! Therese will have open heart surgery on May 11th to correct her heart defect- coarctation of the aorta. It will be done at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL by Dr. Ilbawi.

Casey and I had to go through a laborious decision making process to determine what method should be used to correct her heart defect, which surgeon and which hospital. How crazy is it that PARENTS have to make these life altering decisions? In the end, we will be at the same hospital that has time and again saved Carter's life and with the same surgeon. We are comfortable there and have great relationships with the staff. We are so grateful to have such wonderful medical care available to us and we are thrilled to share it with Therese.

"Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me." Psalm 30:2

My prayer this morning is for Therese's birth mother. For a woman who had a child she could not keep. I feel such a glorious obligation to her. I want her to know that her prayers are being answered. How many times did she cry out for her daughter to be healed? How many times did she wish for help that did not come?

We can not imagine how God is answering our prayers, the cries of our hearts. We may not see it, but He is moving. We may only hear silence, but He is orchestrating. I think of the work He started in my heart long ago, in order to bring me to say, "yes" to adopting this girl. I am in awe of His plan. He HEARS us! He ANSWERS prayer! He USES us!

Make a Difference

These girls are so valuable, but do they know it?

Asseta (above) is 14 years old. She a young teen living in Burkina Faso with her uncle's family. Her home does not have electricity or running water. When she is not in school, she helps in her family's peanut and millet fields.

Micheline (below) is also 14 years old. Micheline lives with her grandmother and she hasn't seen her parents since age four.

Both girls attend the same school my daughter, Therese, used to attend before we adopted her. Both girls need sponsors so that they can keep attending school.

Would you consider sponsoring one of these precious girls? Your sponsorship of $35 per month would provide basic food, clothing, medical care and educational needs. You will able to exchange letters with your sponsored child. This exchange will help your sponsored child to know that she is loved and valued and provide her with hope for her future.

If one of these girls touches your heart, please let me know and I'd be happy to send you more information. If you are interested in sponsoring a child in another part of the world, check out the Compassion International widget on the right side of my blog. Child sponsorships are vital to breaking the cycle of poverty. Be a part of it!

Blog Business

A few of my sweet readers, okay, maybe just my mom, have asked if they can get my blog posts through email. Well, now you can! Mom, scroll down past the cute pictures of my "followers" and click on the thing that says follow by email.

Love you!

3 Months Home, Part II

I truly can't believe that three months have passed since our time in Burkina Faso. I think this is my favorite picture from our trip. These precious sisters bonded right from the start. They are walking to church- to worship the Lord together. The same Lord, who from the time He laid the foundations of the earth, knew that someday, they would be sisters.

Can you tell they swapped dresses that morning?

A sister is a gift to the heart,

a friend to the spirit,

a golden thread to the meaning of life.

-Isadora James

3 Months Home

Praise God- Therese has been home for 3 months! I hope you can read this sweet note Therese wrote one night when she was supposed to be sleeping (but I don't mind a bit!).

"God sets the lonely in families."

Psalm 68:6a

Oh yes, He does!