Fearless.

I remember being a kid and just doing things, without asking, probably because I knew the answer wouldn’t be what I wanted. Things like moving all of the furniture in my bedroom, or riding my bike to a friend’s house, and staying out way past the time I was supposed to be home so my mom could drive me across town, for guitar lessons that I HATED! Then as I got older, making terrible decisions, knowing full well the outcome would not be pretty. And then one day, I decided to travel to a 3rd world country on whim, because why not? What’s there to be afraid of? My mom taught me to go after whatever it was I wanted, and sometimes fear can hold you back, so don’t let it (or anything else) get in the way.

In 2008, I went on a week long journey to Haiti. I was going to hold babies while their mothers got much needed medical attention. That was “my” plan. By mid-week, I had fallen head over heals in love with an 11 year old girl, and knew I was meant to be her mama. I was told the children there could not be adopted, so not to get any ideas. That girl turned 23 years old in October this year, and as I’m writing this, she’s in my bathroom helping my 5 year old get ready for bed.

They were not wrong, those kids were not “available” for adoption. But I didn’t let that stop me. I did the research, and I had help. I hired a Haitian attorney and by the grace of God, my husband and I adopted her AND her sister. Five years later, we adopted their cousin.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7

I’m not convinced I got that “sound mind” just yet, but I’m a work in progress. Thank you reading this far. I hope to share a little bit of my sometimes crazy and chaotic life on a somewhat regular basis.