I am always in awe of God. I try to live my life constantly being mindful of the amazing things that He does on a daily basis. I look at His creation and marvel at the wonder of what He did just for our pleasure. I try, as best I can, to see His hand in all things.
But over the last three days I have been blown away by His greatness. Never in all the times that I have advocated for children and families adopting have funds come pouring in so quickly. In less than three days God has raised OVER $20,000 for Teri Lynn’s adoption.
Just amazing!
I am so, so thankful for ALL your help! Other than write up a blog post and share the desperation of one little girl, I did nothing. So many people came together and shared her story, gave what they could, and prayed their hearts out. I am so humbled by the generosity and the tender hearts of God’s people. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to one little love who is like the story of the starfish…her life matters!
We get asked all the time, “Should everyone adopt a child?” Honestly, I don’t think so. I do think we should all ask the Father what His plans and purposes for our families are. But I believe that God calls all of us differently. Just as some are called to be missionaries, and others are called to stay–some are called to open their homes to orphans, while others are called to support those families. BUT. I believe with all my heart that we are all called to do SOMETHING! In the book of James we are commanded to “care for the widow and the orphan.” That can look different to all of us–but when we come together as one for the sake of the orphan, it truly is a stunning thing. Many, many of you did just that for Teri Lynn! You cared for the orphan. Deeply.
I have been told that there have been many inquiries about adopting Teri Lynn. An adoption agency is involved, and they are handling things from here on. I know that the best case scenario would be a family who already has a current home study. That would take a couple of months of paperwork time off the process, which would mean they could get to her faster. Since time is so crucial here because Teri Lynn is not doing well, obviously we would love to see a family get to her super quickly. I will keep you all posted on how things unfold and will share details of Teri Lynn’s family just as soon as I know them.
In the meantime, please continue to pray for Teri Lynn! Pray for her health, her safety, and her protection while she waits on the other side of the world. Anthony wrote a brilliant post of the injustice of her situation. It breaks my heart! I cannot think about her without getting all teary. The thought of one of my own daughters with Down syndrome ending up in Teri Lynn’s institution is more than my heart can handle. As miserable as Hailee’s life was, as drugged as she was, as emaciated as her frail body was, as atrocious as her living conditions were…it was still a baby house. I look at Teri Lynn and am so eternally thankful that we got to Hailee when we did. There is no way she could have survived transfer. No way!
Thank you so much to all of you who have rallied for Teri Lynn over the last few days. You guys are amazing…and our Father in heaven is AWEsome!
In other news, my family and I are away on a little vacation this week. I’ll share our days, our pictures, and the things that God is doing in my own heart later.
We’re counting our blessings and naming them one by one by one by one.
GREAT things He has done!
