Life has been just a little more hectic the past two months, so I'm excited to stop and write a little update about how it's been going. Life with D has been very similar to life with only 3 kids- sometimes smooth and joyful, other times full of arguing and stress. He is a very normal newly three-year-old, with his wonder at life, high level of activity, regular temper tantrums, and defiance of authority. His speech is harder to understand than our other children's was, but he has made progress, and we have made progress in our understanding in even just this short time. We still believe very strongly, and think that our older three grasp the importance of this calling. Here are some of the highlights we are regularly reminded of:
What a great community we have- There were so many people who have brought meals, watched some of all of our children, have children who welcomed D into the fold of friends/looked out for him, and provided clothing and other supplies to help him feel well-loved and provided for.
When God calls you to something, it is not always smooth and easy- Every Bible story we have ever told our kids has a huge element of struggle which points to God's provision and power, so we regularly remind ourselves and our children that it is the same with us. God wants us to remember that we cannot do life, or anything in it without Him, and that His missions take sacrifice but are worthy causes!
Live life to the fullest, even in the waiting- Like the exiles during the Babylonian captivity, God told them to build houses, marry, plant crops, seek the peace and prosperity of the city that took them captive, because it was to everyone's profit. We definitely feel like things with D's case are always changing, not knowing what any outcomes will be, at the mercy of other's plans, but we can leave the outcomes to God and trust that He is working all things for the good of those who love Him!
Who are my mother and my brothers? Even though we know Jesus loved his earthly family, He also emphasized that the family of God has eternal value, and challenges us to see and care for others as we would our own mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and children. So we are able to grow in this ability by loving someone else's child just as we would those born naturally to us, and we have seen how this helps us extend love even farther to children and older adults in our church and community in general.
