Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen

Monday, January 10, 2011

One Year Ago Today...

...We took a step of faith and committed to this sweet little face on the Reece's Rainbow Website.

 Up until this day, we had been praying about which child, out of the sea of faces staring back at us, we would choose to be part of our family. It was an unsettling and somewhat bizarre process for us.  I was hoping to have a sense of peace or at least feel 'settled' in my spirit once we finally decided on "Nadine" (her name on the website).  This was a HUGE decision we were making...not just for the child we were to choose, but for our family as well and I wanted to 'feel' completely SURE that this was what God truly wanted us to do.  But you know what?  That's where Faith comes into play.  We knew that the whisper God had put into our hearts to adopt had grown into a clear path of obedience that we were willing to walk down with Him.  And oftentimes, God will ask you to do something and once you take that first step IN FAITH, only THEN will He equip you with what you need to go through with it.  

God did part the Red Sea BEFORE the Israelites had to pass through it to escape the Egyptians.
However, when it was time to cross the flood-level waters of the Jordan River, the Priests had to take an initial Step of Faith INTO the churning, fast-paced, deep water before God stopped the water from flowing.   

So, it wasn't until my index finger hit the "send" button to let the director of Reece's Rainbow know who we were choosing, that I was suddenly flooded with the peace I had been hoping for.  A confirmation in my spirit that before the beginning of time, God had chosen Nadia to one day become a part of our family.  And you know what?  That peace God gave me in that moment never wavered the entire journey to our girl. 

To borrow a quote from a book I've read through twice now, called Reckless Faith by Beth Guckenberger, "Sometimes reckless faith requires no further action.  You just have to hold on to the limb you've been led out  on and trust that it doesn't break."

What limb is God asking you to climb out on?  Are you waiting for God to tell you things like how much weight the limb will hold, or what is the view like out on the end of the limb?  Or are you ready to experience the exhiliration of a reckless faith that says, "Ok God, I have no idea how safe or comfortable this limb might be, but if you're going to be on it with me then let's GO FOR IT!!!" 

 I can tell you from experience that sometimes I'm clinging to that limb with my eyes closed, but when I look out from the limb through faith-filled eyes and allow God to pry my fingers from the death-grip I have on the limb, I can truly experience God's best for me! 

So go ahead, put your foot into the water and just watch God clear the best path for you!

One Year Ago Today...I could only imagine moments like this one!

16 comments:

  1. Tears....sooooo happy for you and most of all for Nadia!

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  2. Great post Kristin! I too had the same doubts and fears.... BEFORE I took the step of faith. After that, I knew in my soul that this was the one God chose for our family. Thank you for the reminder.

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  3. So true, Kristin! Even with life swirling around and around right now, God periodically reminds my soul that not only did He allow our family to taste and see His goodness through adoption, but He allowed those closest to us to journey out on that same limb! And it held us all! Not only does it fully support us, but that limb is able to catapult us to the top of the tree and give us such an amazing,heavenly view.

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  4. I'm so glad you took that step of faith. It also brought us together as we never would have met (even though we live so close to one another) if we had not climbed out on that branch and decided to adopt!
    A year ago today I still didn't even know what Reece's Rainbow was! Can you believe that? And Milana is home with us!

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  5. What a wonderful post. I am so ready ~ just wish my husband was...

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  6. So true...what a different world it would be if we would always live with reckless faith in the One who is totally, utterly faithful.

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  7. Beautiful Kristin.

    I'm going to see if the library has that book :)

    That orphanage pic of Nadia is seared into my mind I looked at it so much while trying to decide which child God had for us :)

    She sure has blossomed :) :)

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  8. What a journey it has been and we have felt honored to be on the journey with you for the past year. We know that Nadia was chosen for you on the day she was born and that God had a plan for her and your family. It makes my day when I get a hug from your angel. She has been a blessing to not only your family but to our small group family as well. We love you guys.

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  9. *sigh* Thank you for the very uplifting post :)

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  10. LOVE. Great questions. God is with me, said He would never leave me, hasn't left me yet, and it is my choice to trust Him with the unknown. Great reminder of what faith looks like. Thankful for you dear friend and sweet Nadia!

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  11. Oh friend, I have also recently read her book and LOVED it sooooo much. What a beautiful post from the heart. I love your faith and I love your heart. Oh, and I love you too :)

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  12. I just love her! So happy for your family. God works in amazing ways, doesn't he? You are blessed!

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  13. Even when your thinking about that limb, it's such an encouragement to look around and see others who are climbing limbs and taking leaps of faith.

    That picture, and all of the wonderful other ones on your Blog, are a testimony to the blessing and joy found in trusting God through the unknown!!

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  14. Wow. So much has happened in your life in just a year!

    Beautiful post. I needed to read this today. That first step of obedience can be such a scary one. Praise God that you took that leap of faith and never looked back. Every time I see Nadia's precious smile, I just want to caption the photo "God is good."

    I hope you and your sweet family are finally feeling better. We've been sick, too, and I know how hard it can be to recover and catch up.

    Praising God for His peace through life's toughest journeys and rejoicing that the parting of the sea cleared the path that brought Nadia home!

    Much Love,
    Kathie

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  15. A year already??? It just seems a few weeks ago I heard of your impending adoption and prayed for your safe travel! I LOVE the pic at the top of your blog - your beautiful girls! So much to be thankful for!

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