An Auntie's bragging rights...
Ok, I know I just posted... but I have to brag a bit about my neices and nephew! I finally have pictures of all of them to share and I can't help myself. Our neices and nephew would be special to us no matter what, but we consider ourselves particularly blessed by the way that God himself seems to have hand picked and placed our special family together, one sweet little child at a time. You see, our situation is special because not even one of the five precious children are related to us by blood. And we "inherited" four within 8 months - the fifth to be added later.
By September, 2004 Ellie and Ethan were the only grandchildren on either side of our family. And then 8 months later... there were four more. Yay!
John's sister Ginger and her husband Russ adopted Madison in September, 2004. John snapped this picture of her during church while we were home a couple of weeks ago. She is such a sweet girl and adorable to boot! (Sorry Ginger, I know she's not smiling, but I just love this picture.)
Then in December of 2004, my brother Chad and his wife Janeene adopted our one and only nephew, Elijah! This is the most recent picture I have of him, as they live in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. I'm sure the little guy's grown a ton even since this photo. He was just a baby when we saw him last! I hear that he's mister personality. Of course. He has Chad for a daddy. (Some of you out there know what I mean...)
And then in April, 2005 my Mom married Gary. We instantly inherited two beautiful and amazing little nieces - Mady and Libby - through Gary's daughter Jenn and her husband Jim. Then in November, 2006 they adopted Emma from China. We were finally able to see her a couple of weeks ago! All three girls have lots of energy (so sorry Jenn!) and love each other to pieces. And Mady never ceases to touch my heart with how fiercely she cares for Ellie.
From left to right: Jenn holding Emma, Libby, Ellie, Mady, Me holding Ethan (who is obviously thrilled with the whole photo-op).
I just wanted to share with you all how thrilled we are to be part of such a loving family and how special we consider our wonderful little adopted and inherited nieces and nephew! I just couldn't help myself... I feel much better now!
posted @ 11:06 PM
6 Comments:
Sarah,
Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. I know it must not always be easy to share all that you do with us. Our family is so thankful that we can be prayer warriors for your family. It is so neat to be apart of the family of God to see how others care for you because of that common bond we have in Christ. We love you!
Karyn K
Sarah, I just love your updates. I read them daily and pray daily as well. Nancy H
Hey ! love the picts! Miss you, Vickie
I find that I look forward to your updates but dread them sometimes too. Our part in all of this is so miniscule compared to what you are going through every minute. We are grateful for the opportunity of doing our small part of keeping you all in our prayers. We love you all so much and hold you in our hearts always...Garcias in Paradise
Dear John and Sarah,
It's really no sweat to pray for you (though at 2AM there might be a yawn); we're family, too.
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28-30)
Agapé
Love those pics! So wonderful to see you enjoying family time together. Jerry really enjoyed the pictures of NY industrial interiors too. For a second I thought I was actually looking at Shasta's hands! Ellie's hands are as incredibly beautiful as Shasta's.
The little phone snippets from Ethan were precious. What a little trooper he is. We remain grateful for your posts and the opportunity to keep you in our ever constant prayer.
Love & Light, Garcias of Paradise
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