perspective

We are midway through the 14th week of waiting at the #1 spot for the referral of our daughter.  As this wait seems to drag on some days, there is such a temptation to selfishly turn inward and wallow in self-pity.  Despite the temptation, I know it would benefit no one to do that, and I also know that no one ever promised this path of adoption to be easy. It is definitely a journey in every since of the word, and I am 100% confident that Troy and I could not endure this journey if we were walking it alone; however, I am so grateful that we serve a Creator that has laid out each step for us and He knows the ultimate destination.   He is our guide, and we must stick ever so close to His leading.  He has also made me acutely aware that we are not the only ones enduring trials, and it truly puts our wait in perspective.  Let me just share with you a few of the things close friends of ours have endured in recent months…

-Some friends of ours that live in Colorado had to evacuate their home last night due to the far reaching fires that have been so difficult to contain

-A friend’s mother was just diagnosed with a terminal illness two weeks ago, and she passed away last night

-Another friend and her husband just had a baby a month and half ago.  Their baby was born with a diagnosis that was undetectable on ultrasound, and he has been in and out of the hospital since birth.  He now has a feeding tube among other things. 

Thankfully, each of these friends and their families know Jesus so I know they have an eternal source to draw strength from.  As I have repeatedly lifted these families up in prayer along with the prayers for our daughter, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we are to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.  I have to admit that joy is not the first word that comes to my mind when I think about each of these circumstances; however, I take comfort in knowing this truth “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”   So, today I will choose to persevere because the reward is great.  I will also continue to pray because I have witnessed the power of prayer in tangible ways.  Will you please say a quick prayer for each of the circumstances our friends are facing, and please continue to pray for our daughter.  Thank you in advance!

Finally, I would not call myself an avid fan of the group Big & Rich, but I heard this song today and it reminded me that prayer makes a difference.  I hope you have a blessed week!

Father’s Day 2012

Today is Father’s Day, and I would like to start by giving thanks for the man pictured with Silas below.  This is my dad, and I am so thankful for the role he has played in my life.  Although we haven’t always seen eye to eye on everything, I have never once doubted his unconditional love for me.  He also played a pivotal role in introducing me to my Heavenly Father, and I will forever be grateful for that!

Second, I would like to give thanks for my husband, Troy, who is the best ‘daddy’ I know to our son, Silas.  The thing I admire most in Troy’s role as a father is the fact that he is very intentional with Silas in everything he does.  His number one desire is for Silas to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and Troy does a great job demonstrating what a relationship with Him looks like.  I know he doesn’t get as much quantity time as he would like with Silas, but I can testify that he makes the moments he does have count!  As you can see in the pictures below, Silas likes to be right where his daddy is at, and I pray that his daddy’s prayers for him to be used in mighty ways for God’s kingdom will be answered.

 

 

Finally, I had to include the picture below because it is clearly shows how much our sweet boy admires his daddy.  Silas is wearing Troy’s hat, and he is at the wheel of daddy’s old ‘beater’ truck with his buddy, Kage.  He’s crying because it is time for him to go and he wanted to keep playing.  Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing fathers today.  I hope it was a blessed one!

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.  ~Clarence Budington Kelland

3 Year Gotcha Day Anniversary

It’s hard to believe that today marks 3 years since Troy and I had our lives forever changed for the better.  Three years ago today, we held our son, Silas Abrham Lucht, for the first time and we were in LOVE!  Silas has brought more joy, entertainment, and love to our lives than we could have ever imagined.  I praise God each day that adoption was His Plan A for our family because I can’t imagine anything more perfect!   Below is a short video that I took of Silas at breakfast this morning.  You never know what he is going to say, but I thought his answer to my last question was pretty cute! He has lots of love to go around these days:)

 

Tonight, we got to celebrate Silas’ Gotcha Day anniversary with Lucy Lane and her family.  Lucy Lane and Silas were at Hannah’s Hope together,and they share the same Gotcha Day.  Also, Lucy Lane’s family lives in our area so we love that we are able to get them together relatively often.  I love the bond the two of them have, and I am grateful they will get to grow up together!  I captured a few pictures below from the celebration at Lucy Lane’s house. 

Ready to celebrate

Lucy has lots of fun toys like this one at her house….it is truly kid heaven!

Getting ready to sing “Happy Gotcha Day” to Silas  and Lucy

Kristi(Lucy’s mom) picked up this cute cake for the celebration

This picture cracks me up.  Silas was doing his fake smile for the first piece of cake, and Lucy was not smiling on purpose.

They each got a turn blowing out the #3 candle.

Lucy testing out the icing,and Silas smiling for more cake.

 

Finally,Troy managed to capture a sweet picture of the two them playing together.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned for each of their lives. We were so blessed to celebrate this day with great friends and fellowship, and we are so thankful God chose us to be the parents of our son.  Happy Gotcha Day Silas!  We love you more than you will ever know!

He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—Ephesians 1:5

Birthday Celebration

Yesterday was a fun day at our house because Silas and I got to celebrate a birthday with the favorite guy in our house..DADDY! 

We had to make a birthday cake with two of daddy’s favorite things….chocolate and peanut butter!

The finished product!  It only got one candle because frozen cakes aren’t very accommodating to having candles put in them:)

The birthday guy blowing out his candle after a yummy birthday dinner at Red Robin.  I am pretty sure his wish had something to do with a precious baby girl in Ethiopia!

We are so glad that God allowed us to celebrate another year with you Troy!  You are a true blessing to our family!