My Hero!

My husband is my hero every Father's Day! Some would say that is just because we have 9 children, but there is so much more to our and his story than just numbers of children in our home.

You see before we got married we knew we would never be able to have biological children. I had cancer when I was 8 and a total hysterectomy. That didn't stop him from eventually asking me to marry him- we just knew God would give us children through adoption.

When we started our crazy wonderful God story we decided to do foster care. I won't go into full details out of respect for our children, but there is a long story behind each and every adoption we have done.

I think the reason I stand amazed by my husband is because we have had to endure traumatic events, severe highs and lows, losses, and extreme happiness. Through all of this- his answer has been YES!

YES- I will take a chance and risk everything for a child in foster care.
YES- I will fly around the world to bring into our family a child.
YES- I will take the risks associated with adoption and even when we experience those losses we will continue to love, to care, and share with others the hope of adoption.
YES- I will relearn all I thought I knew about parenting so I can be the father that my children need.
YES- I will step up to provide financially, physically, and spiritually for 9 children that didn't always know me as a father.
YES- I will even spread the word of the over 163 million children that still long to call someone father! I will let their voices be heard through me!

Even right now......he is at our church sharing stories of the needs of others. He doesn't think much of the fact that he will sacrifice his time. He knows that this is a need. I have heard him talk to many men who are worried about adoption or foster care- what if? He says we have to step out just as our heavenly Father did for us. We have to take great risks to see what God sees in us......someone worth every heart break and sheer joy in their smile!

When asked recently in a writing assignment (we homeschool) my children all named their father in the top 3 people they respected. When asked why? Their responses were about how he plays with them, cares for them, and has loved them.

When asked about miracles in their lives- their responses all centered around other children in our families stories of how they came to be in our family.

My husband lives the story that I pray some day every child will know.....the love of a father that steps outside of comfort, outside of his choices, and steps into The Father's heart.

Romans 8:14-16
New International Version (NIV)
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.