Merry Christmas!

I love this time of the year because it reminds me of the two greatest adoption stories ever told. One of those is the story of Joseph. It’s amazing to me to think of the courage and faith that Joseph showed when he took the place of Jesus’ earthly father to care for him as his own. He knew that decision could cost him everything, even his life, and yet his faith never wavered. There is one of my favorite Christmas songs in which Joseph is talking to Jesus shortly after he is born and says “Why couldn’t God have chosen another man? How can I lead this family when I don’t understand? How can I take the place of your Dad when I can not explain even how you came to be, my sweet Jesus, my baby boy?” I can’t imagine how confusing this must have all been for him. Yet through all of the obstacles he faced he pressed on praying faithfully for God to provide. He spoke up for Mary and Jesus when they didn’t have a voice, and above all else, no matter the cost, he obeyed God when He called him to take on the enormous task of being Jesus’ dad.

It’s hard to top that story, but there is another that is truly the greatest adoption story ever told. It’s the story of when God sent Jesus to this earth to be born in a humble stable, to be crucified, and to be resurrected again so that when we believe in His holy name, God would adopt US into His Eternal family where we would be heirs to His throne. God knew that sin would enter this world and people would feel alone and without hope. He also knew that there would be orphans, diseases, and death in this world. But he gave us the greatest gift of all when he sent us hope through His son Jesus. What an amazing adoption story he has given us all.

This Christmas is a little bittersweet for us this year. On one hand we have been so blessed this past year with the start of a new adoption process for Elijah’s biological brother Alexander. We have been blown away by the support of all of our friends and family and God’s provision of all our adoption needs. We were also able to travel to Russia to visit Alexander in November, which was nothing short of amazing. We rejoice in the fact that our family is growing and that everyone has remained healthy. We praise the Lord everyday for the growth opportunities our whole family has experienced through these adoption processes. We are also so happy to say that Elijah has now been home with us now longer than he was at the orphanage and that he is doing very well in his “forever family”. On the other hand our hearts do break this Christmas because Alexander has taken Elijah’s place in the orphanage, and we miss him terribly and hope he can come home to his “forever family” soon. There is a song from the Third Day Christmas album called “Merry Christmas”. Below is the chorus of the song that rings so true in our hearts this Christmas.

It’s Christmas time again but you’re not home

Your family is here and yet you’re somewhere else alone

So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms

And tell you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

Please continue to pray that God would continue to provide for our family as we are still about $17,000 dollars short of what we need to finish our adoption process. Thank you again for all of your support both financially and through your prayers. We are so blessed by you! I pray that God will bless your family in the upcoming year as He has done with our family, and may He receive all the glory and honor in whatever you do.

SP