"For all of you prayed for us during the past two months, thank you. God absolutely said yes to us taking in two teen boys in early March. Then He walked us through 64 of the most difficult days we've ever experienced. He lovingly taught us about family teamwork and showed us His beautiful work in our bio sons and in our marriage. He taught us more about trusting Him. Most importantly, He answered the prayer we had been asking, "Show us what it means to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow you."

 

We learned an incredible amount about what it means to "pick up your cross." This involves suffering - as Jesus did when He picked up His cross for us. Beautiful, horrible suffering. Challenge, difficulty, surrender, a constant need to seek the Father and His Truth.

 

Because of this and so much more, we have no regrets about saying yes to God's yes. His yes never involves His people sitting comfortably in a church pew being churchy. His yes involves self-denial, which then stretches and grows us - and this brings Him glory! We suffer and we grow as we learn more about who He is. There is no other way.

 

We are now back to just 7 boys. We know full well that He has perfect plans for the 2 who have now moved on from our home. We praise God for His faithfulness and provision! We rest and recover and delight in all we learned through this.

 

God's goodness has no limits! Dig into the Word with your whole, open heart. Learn to fully seek His will and to listen to Him - and recognize that this life will often be uncomfortable. But the God you will learn about and grow in through your choice to obey will absolutely amaze you! God is love!"