There is this incredibly special lady in my life, and I am certain that without her following God's leading 17 years ago, I would not be who I am today.
This amazing lady fostered my love for the Lord, and she lovingly held hands with me as I accepted Christ into my life as a freshman in high school. That moment in my life paved a path for my future that I would not otherwise have found.
Fast forward 14 years, and a friendship that had been lost (as time, education, work, and families kept us busy and moved us around) was restored. For two years, this special lady helped raise my boys daily as Darin and I worked. Homeschooling three of her own boys, along with Jonathan, and two other little ones running around was likely exhausting. But she never complained. Not once. She shared her home, her family, her wisdom, parenting advice, and resources to help our boys develop a love for learning, getting dirty, and of course, the Lord. And she prayed for our family and looked for ways to be a blessing to us. When Jonathan was struggling with fine motor skills and sensory integration, she offered suggestions to help, and did her own research on ways she could support him at her house. She gladly incorporated ideas from Jonathan's therapists into her daily lessons. Noticing that he was exhibiting signs to begin reading, she began teaching him to read when he turned four. Now in kindergarten, Jonathan is reading on a 2nd grade level. Because of her. She deserves much of the credit for how well Jonathan is doing in kindergarten this year, both socially and academically.
Beyond all of this, rather than take a raise during her second year of caring and educating our boys, she and her husband reduced their daily rate for an entire year. They did this in hopes of helping financially with our adoption (and at the end, they contributed nearly $1,000). This was a huge sacrifice for her family, but she sacrificially gave to us because her love for our family and our new addition(s) is huge.
This special lady no longer cares for our boys on a regular basis, but has taken care of them throughout the school year whenever we call upon her. And we always pay her, even though she asked us not to. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to return the favor by caring for her boys all day. And when she came to pick them up, she handed me an envelope with "Uganda" printed on the front. Inside the envelope was all the money we paid her this year. She had saved every penny for our adoption.
And when I shared with her that we are now the #1 family on the waiting list, she immediately shared in our joy. She said, "Praise God! We are ready to help with the boys however/whenever you need us!" And she means that. This incredible friend shares in my joys and sorrows and always has my back. She will help care for our boys while we are away, no matter what she has to sacrifice in the process. Because she loves Jesus and follows His guidance. And because she loves my boys. And I love her and am incredibly and eternally grateful for her friendship...and for that moment 17 years ago when she wasn't afraid to witness to me and pray with me.
Thank you, Colleen. I love you. You are more dear to me than you will ever know.
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