A Life Filled with the Blessings of God

Written by Jill 

I am not sure how well I can put it into words, for words are not enough, to let one know how many ways our life has been touched because of our children.
Sam and I have adopted 8 children.  We have 7 children at home and one at home with the Lord.  Courtney Joseph was 5 when he passed.  He had down syndrome but developed leukemia at age 3 and passed at age 5.  He would be 10 today.  We miss him so.  He had such a zest for life.
Our at home family of children are Stephanie age 20, Caleb 8, Kaycee 8, Josiah 5, Jordan 4, Abbey 4 and Hanna 21 months, and no they are not twins.  I, Jill, also have grown children by birth Dustin and Autumn and 6 grands.
Although our adopted children have challenges they face each day due to their various “designer genes” they are just kids.  Awesomely fun kids.  Kids who have blessed our lives more then we will be ever able to bless theirs.  First of all we have been blessed to know their first mothers and most of their first fathers.  We are blessed to be able to thank them personally for the gift they gave to us and share with them the life of the child.  We know that our children belong to God and that each one of us played a very important, and God chosen part in the child’s life.  We are thankful that their birth families chose life for our children, especially in today’s “throw away” society ,when things aren’t as perfect as one wanted. Abortion was an option for each family when they heard the words that their baby’s had “downs or spina bifida etc”.   Our children’s families all felt strongly that their children were very special children.  Due to whatever circumstance they faced in their lives, they wanted a forever family for them, that could not just love them (for they were doing that well) ,but be able to care for them on a daily basis, providing for their “extra” needs.  This unselfish decision came with unconditional love.  This love was passed to each child forever.
As mom and dad, we have been given the awesome privilege of watching God work daily in the lives of our children.  We are often awestruck just watching them learn to hold their heads up, take their first steps, sign their first sign, say their first word or read their first words.  We are blessed with children who are babies longer  (Now how bad is that?)  who give the best hugs,  who cheer each other on and who love God.  They especially enjoy Awana’s and Sunday school.
God has given our children windows into their eyes.  For when you peer into those beautiful, trusting and loving eyes……………you  will know you have seen the face of God.
Our life as a family has not always been easy (sometimes far from it), but our life has always been filled with the blessings of God.  We are thankful that He has allowed us to walk this unique path and when the path has stones that we trip on or twists unforeseen, that He gives us strength to carry on.   He has shown us personally the gift of patience and courage.  The Lords gift of a child is a blessing, but as I was told recently by an older Amish woman, our children are “special blessings” and that they are.
Prayerfully sent,
Jill