Welcome to readers from Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet!

A special welcome to readers from Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet!  I'm so glad you stopped by, and I'd love for you to stay awhile.  And for my regular readers, after I introduce you to my friend, Sara, I'd encourage you to head on over to Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet where I'm guest posting today.

Sara and her husband, Nate, have been dear friends for years.  We've done church together, shared meals, and talked running, nutrition, and label-makers.  Some of the sweetest evenings of worship and prayer I've known were with Nate and Sara in Joan and Chauncey's home.

On May 7, 2008, I received a forwarded email from Sara.

Sara, 

I am hoping you two may be able to help with any connections that you have made through the adoption process. Katya is looking for a host family, who can also be her forever family, for this June-July.   

Since Katya's visit with us this Christmas, a lot more has been learned about her past. Her paternal grandmother raised her from birth. Katya's biological mother did not want her and her father had tuberculosis so grandma did not want him to be around Katya for fear she would also get sick (she was a preemie). Katya's grandmother is no longer able to care for her and sent her to the orphanage so she could go to school. She very much wants Katya to be adopted into a loving family.  

Odessa is allowing Katya to come to the states one more time - this June. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested and is serious about adopting!  

Thanks! 

Lindsey

Bill and I had just been in Ukraine several weeks before to connect with church leaders, lead marriage conferences, and visit an orphanage.  Although we had always been open to adoption, with six husband, homeschooling, and church planting, pursuing adoption wasn't on our grid.  But now, we had been to Ukraine.  We had seen the orphanages.  We had heard the stories.  Sara's email brought the stirrings of our hearts into crystal clear focus.

That summer we welcomed Katya into our home for several weeks, and in November, we began the adoption process.  As winter turned to spring, Sara, in the throes of their adoption, stalked the mailman, and I researched Ukrainian court procedures.

And then, as God often does when we press hard, and press long, when we know we are at our end, He opened the way.  Nate and Sara traveled to Ethiopia and brought home their daughter and son, Eden and Caleb.  And our family wouldn't have missed their homecoming for the world.

And then, in a few short months, Sara, Nate, Eden, and Caleb, along with other dear friends, were there for us when an exhausted Katya and I arrived from Ukraine.

Good friends truly are a treasure, and Sara is one of my dearest.  So, thank you, Sara, for giving me the honor of posting on your blog.  And welcome, new friends, from Every Bitter Thing is Sweet.

Take a moment, introduce yourself, and tell me a bit of your story.  I'd love to get to know you better!