Today, July 20th, 69 years ago, God brought my mother into this world to share his heart for orphans and the sick. According to my aunt, she had a heart for people and the sick from a very young age and started volunteering in the local hospital before she was old enough to drive. She loved children and children were drawn to her. Although my mom struggled with her health off and on, she never let that stand in the way of the calling that God set before her. I don't believe she ever realized that she was living God's dream and heart for her life, but as I look back and remember the joy she had with the little ones in her home through foster care, I know God had her right where he wanted her. I have been looking through pictures of my mom and my sisters and I and see the love and joy she had for each of us on her face. I know she absolutely adored each one of us for who we were and continue to be. Even though there were days when we just didn't think she understood us at all, she truly did get us, but she strived to push us into God's arms and into the dreams He had for us.
In the last few years, I had the honor to be able to care for my mother, although, I know I took it for granted, I now look back and treasure the times and talks. My sisters and I were her joy behind her love for the Lord. Each time I would go to visit, she was always asking if I had talked to either of my sisters. If not she would share what she last talked about with them and the love she spoke it in was amazing.
Kristen, mom cherished you and your independence in life. Mom gave you the drive and commitment she had for her work as a nurse. She admired your wisdom within your job and how regardless of the difficulties in school, you committed yourself with a job and field of work that no matter how you look at it now, helps the sick. Although your stubbornness could light a fire in mom, she absolutely loved it! How?, because she knew that your stubbornness was going to make you who you are today. A woman that does not take no for an answer and moves forward with the goals you have set before you.
Amanda, mom missed you. I know that you have a piece of mom's heart for children, as well. Your love for, not only your children, but for those children in your job. Mom always knew that you would be working with children one day. Like mom, you love each and everyone of the children you work with. Your job is not just a paycheck to you. Mom strived to change the lives of her kids, as do you. It's funny, now that I think about it.... mom never thought your jobs as personal trainer or ADT were the right jobs for you. She would just comment that Amanda needs to get a job with kids that's where God wants her.
Sisters, mom adored you both! She was born to love us! Although, we miss her tremendously, we all know that her life in heaven exceeds her life here on earth. I believe that her job in heaven is to take care of all the little ones that left their families so soon here on earth and to love them until they are reunited with their families one day.
After her talks about my sisters, she would always ask, "so how are you doing?" This was always a loaded question, because it meant so much more. What she truly meant was.... are you pregnant, yet or lets get this adoption thing going. I believe my mom knew are destiny to adopt far sooner than Jon and I ever knew. While going through fertility, my mom would say, "now if this doesn't work, which it might, you can always adopt." Well, it didn't work and she was there to pick me up off the ground. Mom knew.... she knew Nicholas was going to be my son and she knew that her heart for the orphans was already implanting into my heart... A legacy that was instilled into my mother from her mother and now into me. I so cherish this legacy and heart for orphans that God has given the women of our family. I may not birth a child in the physical sense, but I know that God's plan for my family are much greater than I could ever imagined and I can attribute that to my mom's constant prayers over me.
