Praise and sorrow

Yesterday was a day to remember.

It was a day of gains and losses, praise and sorrow.

Praise because a little boy is one step closer to coming home. Praise because the adoptions are slowly resuming in Russia. Praise because he has a chance at a happy and fulfilling life. Praise because HE is orchestrating the lives of the Davis family as they add Kirill to their family.

Kirill is a little boy who has lived his life in Pskov, Russia in a building that is little more than 4 walls and many of the things it takes to house far too many children who are also parentless. Fortunately, Kirill is not parentless, he has a whole family and so many in America who want to see him home.

We're left with sorrow and loss for a beautiful and strong girl who lost her battle with lukemia after so many years of valiant fight. Our sorrow is not for Kristin now, because we know she's in the arms of Jesus. She's finally rid of that horrible disease. The sorrow comes from our loss, from empathy for her brave mom Polly and those who will miss her presence in their daily lives. She represented so much to so many. In the words posted by Polly, she instilled the gift of perspective and the lesson of fragility and taught the true meaning of life and what's important. The earth is without an angel today but I'm sure that she's up there dancing and singing in heaven.

Happy Independence day

It's the 4th of July and my thoughts are on independence. A word originating in 1640. Independence is defined by Mirriam-Webster as "the state of being independent", "freedom".
We seek to gain it, fight for it and declare it loudly to any who will listen. We employ thousands of men and women to defend it, but do we really want complete independence?
I say no, we don't.
Now mind you I do want independence from many things. From tyranny of corrupt governments, from mounting monetary pressures, from opressive religions, even from parents (sorry mom and dad, no offense intended). And as I struggle for it, I am happy to say that I am dependent in some ways. I am dependent on my loving God. On His mercies which I will never hope to deserve, and on His grace which washes me clean so that I can rest in His arms one day.
So while we as a nation celebrate our independence, I am joining in with you, but I am also celebrating the freedom to be completely dependent on the one who loves me like no other.
There is much to celebrate today. I'm so grateful that I have my family; my kids whom I love so completely and am so proud of, my parents who are so supportive and my beautiful Russian girl who inspires me daily to try to be better. One day soon, she will gain independence as she depends on a family for the first time. A day of freedom designed by God Himself.

Happy Independence Day everyone!