My Musings of Late

A few thoughts have been swimming around my head lately and I thought I would just share:
1. From pictures, it seems clear that Hannah's foster family is Hindu.
2. From reports, it is clear that Hannah is very well taken care of and loved.
3. Due to a recent event, it is clear her foster family is willing to go above and beyond to foster our relationship with Hannah.
4. It is very clear to us that God's hand is on Hannah's life. Although she was gravely ill, He preserved her life as a newborn. Despite being abandoned, He brought her into Holt's care. It seems He specifically named her perfectly as Hannah. He called a couple in America to adopt a little girl. He knew they would need time to prepare and grow and therefore started them on the process nearly 3 years ago. Each time they were weak, discouraged or thought of giving up, He sent one of you to encourage them and kept them growing. And now, He is in the process of placing Hannah in their home- where He has blessed and provided for all of them.

So here are a few of my conclusions:
1) I will never be able to thank Hannah's foster family enough for the care they have given our baby in the meantime.
2) It is amazing to watch God use a family that worships other gods than Him to do His work.
3) It is amazing to be another family used by God to do His work.
4) What must God have purposed for this little girl that we affectionately call Sunshine?!?! I think of Esther often. She was an orphan that God's hand was upon and was purposed for God's work. God chose to use Mordecai to rear her.
5) While our other children have come from my womb, we have the same thoughts for them as well. We had no control over how He knit them together in my womb and the hearts/ personalities/ etc that they each have. We know each child has a specific purpose in life given to them by God. And He is choosing to use me and Philip to do His work. How humbling that is!
6) I have also been thinking about how God did the same for me. I was completely lost in my sin and He reached down and offered the gift of salvation to me. He took my sin on Himself and died on the cross in my place. If you think God exists but is just up there somewhere unconcerned about what all is going on down here in our day to day lives, you couldn't be more wrong.
7) God loves you and is actively showing Himself to you and offering His salvation to you as well.