Pulling up to the clubhouse of the Chattanooga Golf Course with the twinkling Christmas lights reflected in the Tennessee River, I excitedly looked forward to seeing many dear friends! Henry and I have attended most of the Bethany Christian Services Christmas dinners for the past 25 years. We have seen the face of adoptions change from secretive to many more open adoptions, and also many more international ones. Our dinner table was shared by four other couples. We were all adoptive parents. One child Joined her family from China, one from Russia, two from Kazakhstan and two domestic, but cross cultural. A young family shared their sad journey of loss and then the happiness of adopting a sweet baby girl, which they then introduced to the audience, dressed in a tiny red dress.
We were surprised to be honored for our long time of service with Bethany, humbled to be selected in the midst of so many worthy foster families who have been part of the team of people that love serving the Lord by seeing babies placed in loving Christian homes.
Walking down the hall, we ran into two women. One of them heads up the Christian writers group in town and she introduced me to the other woman and told her about my book, Empty Arms. She responded,"I read it! Thank you so much for writing it!"Needless to say I was AMAZED and very encouraged!
"Thank you, Father, for giving us a glimpse of the fruit that comes forth as we labor in Your vineyard!"
"Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise." Hebrews 13:15
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