Impossible to Possible

Monday March 25, 2014 

He’s the God who makes the impossible possible. 


He brought light from darkness.
He brings life from death.


And the more I read the Bible, the more convinced I am that He’s the God of the unexpected.

The King of Kings and the Prince of Peace has a genealogy that includes not only a king who sinned, but a Gentile woman and a harlot. Tucked inside those names are stories of hope—hope for those born in the wrong place, to the wrong group. 

He includes David and Ruth and Rahab, reminding us that our inclusion in this family is dependent on God—not on our birth, our status, or our performance. No matter where we begin, He finds us and grafts us in. We are adopted into the royal bloodline, related forever to the King of Kings.

What greater picture of the hope of the Gospel? Foreigners, outcasts, aliens, He welcomes home. How can we do less? 

This post is both written in celebration and in anticipation. In celebration of little ones come home. My dear friend, Missy Roepnack and her sweet husband and family of four have just welcomed two more to the family—Aaron and Haven, two children from China with dwarfism and special needs. The story is one of open hearts, open arms, and lives lived ever for His glory, and you can read it here. With a total of six children now, it’s bound to be quite the busy house, but once Missy posts the homecoming pictures, you’ll see the joy. I just have to share one quote from Missy, who never misses an opportunity to point to the gospel. As she wrote of waiting for her children, she said:

“I do want to remind you all that there is a God who is making all things new, and that He is waiting for you. I would have missed EVERYTHING if I had missed Jesus.” 

That’s certainly worth celebrating. 
And the anticipation? 

The Groves family is waiting for adoption news that we think may come soon. And when we can share a name and a face, you will see it here! My son and his sweet wife are adopting a little girl from India and things are moving ahead. They’ve made great strides in their fundraising, they’ve filled out countless forms, waited for over a year, and we can’t wait to share what God is doing when we can. Pray for us, with us, as we wait. And then, one day, you will see a homecoming post right here! You can hear their heart for adoption in this video.



Those of you who are fans of a good story and have a love for international adoption, I’d love for you to check out Pearl, my novel. (Proceeds from the sale go to my future granddaughter’s adoption fund.)

Until that little one is here, we’re depending on the One who makes the impossible possible. 

He IS hope—the One who opened His arms wide to make us—the undeserving—His own.

Even when the road is rocky, He’s always there—the One who makes possible the impossible. 


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

There's no such thing as...

Monday November 18, 2013

…an easy adoption.

Think about it.

The Father adopted us into His family, but His Son endured the cross to make a way.

In the spirit of that adoption—with a sense of the open arms and unconditional love the Father shows us—couples pray and hope and save and wait…and wait…and wait.

I’m sure you know someone who is, somehow, connected to adoption.

There could be a couple at church who is waiting for a newborn. Maybe it’s a family planning to adopt a child they’ve fostered. Or a family whose yet-to-be-matched child is waiting across the sea.

Adoption—especially international adoption—is a long, drawn-out process, full of twists and turns, with question marks all along the path. Those who are walking that road need encouragement.

And we can help or hurt, even unintentionally.

Do you know someone who’s adopting?
Here’s a list of things from a real-life waiting mom to think about:

What NOT to Do:

1. Please don’t ignore the fact that waiting is hard. This journey can feel very isolating. Don’t be afraid to ask us things or to bring up the adoption.

2. Comparison can be hard on us. Every adoption story is different. Most waiting moms are trying hard to avoid comparing their lives and expectations with other adoptive families, so help us. Comments like, “The Browns were matched with their child in a week…Jane and Joe brought their child home in 6 months…Amy and Todd raised their funds really quickly” make us second-guess ourselves. We love to talk about the process, but comparisons aren’t helpful.

3. Steer clear of exclamations pointing out the length of our wait: “Wow, you’ve been waiting a long time!” We know this reality all too well. In fact, we’re far more concerned about the child who is waiting halfway around the world.

4. Please don’t share the adoption horror stories you’ve heard. There’s enough uncertainty as it is, and it’s far too easy for us to play the “what if” game in our minds. Try not to give us fuel for the fire.

5. Adoption may not be the Lord’s plan for your family, but please don’t discount our reasons. To a mom who’s bringing a child home from another country, comments on how many children need homes in the US and questioning the cost of adoption comes across as criticism. Likewise, if you adopted internationally, don’t discount another family’s plan to foster or adopt within the US. An orphan is an orphan regardless of borders, and God’s plan for each family is different.

So…how can you help a mom who’s waiting for her child?

What TO Do:

1. Ask us how we’re doing and ask how you can pray specifically. We have days when we feel hopeful and peaceful in the wait, and there are other days we feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and impatient. Just knowing that others recognize how difficult this can be is comforting. Being able to share our heart helps lighten the burden, and thinking through how we need prayer serves as a good reminder that we must rely on God in this journey.

2. Show interest in the adoption process. The adoption is always on our minds, so it’s comforting to hear people show interest in something that’s so dear to our hearts.

3. Speak truth. If you are close to an adopting mom, courageously speak truth in moments when you see doubt or frustration overwhelming her. We know it, but we need to hear it!

4. Please be patient with us. The adoption process is long and filled with tons of paperwork. We may check our phones or email more than usual. It can be easy to get wrapped up in “all things adoption” and neglect important relationships around us. Most of the time we don’t even realize that’s the case. We’ll come out of this adoption fog someday! Try to distract us, in a fun way, from time to time.

5. Pray for us and let us know that you are praying. Please recognize that your encouraging notes and reminders of prayer mean so very much.

No, I’m not an adoptive mom. But I have four sons, and my oldest and his sweet wife are waiting for a daughter from India. Their journey weighs heavy on my heart—after all, this is my granddaughter we’re talking about!

You can get to know them on their blog and in this video.

I’ve published a novel, Pearl, that benefits their adoption fund. It’s truly a “mom tale”—a story of international adoption from a Chinese mother’s perspective.

The Lord put the story in my heart long before my son and his wife spoke of adoption. I’m praying He uses it to help bring my granddaughter home to Kentucky.

Thanks to my sweet daughter-in-law, Kristen, for her input on this post.

Pray with me, will you, for Jonathan, Kristen, and their daughter waiting in India.

And show kindness to a waiting mom today.


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

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Treasure

Friday August 30, 2013

What kind of treasure?

The paradoxical kind!

Stay tuned for my quote today, Fave #5.

I’m linking up today with Susanne of Living to Tell the Story for Friday’s Fave Five, where we share the blessings of our week. Won’t you join us?

My favorites this week:

1. First week of college teaching. It’s so nice to see what a difference a few years makes. My students are from all different kinds of places with different preparation (I’m still figuring that out), but they’ve all expressed a desire to improve their skills. That’s so nice. I have some very motivated high school students too, but let’s face it, the maturity level is just different. Sometimes I feel like I have a split personality—my morning (high school) personality and my late afternoon (college) personality. It’s also interesting how both of those teaching experiences enrich the other. Blessed to be doing both.

2. Sweet words from friends and family—about Pearl. Friends and family are reading their newly-acquired copies of Pearl, and it’s so nice to hear their reactions.

3. The difference a year brings. If you don’t know what last year held for us (or even if you do), check out Tuesday’s post, A Summer Redeemed. This summer, after such an incredibly hard road, my son shed his brace and cane and walked out of the church with his bride. This time last year we had just taken him back to Kentucky and settled him back in his apartment and classroom. He juggled teaching and physical therapy, fighting pain and fatigue. Our afternoon conversations this year are so different! He’s feeling so great, and of course, is as happy as can be living with his sweet wife. We’re so thankful for what God has done and continues to do.

4. Watching students write—voraciously! In my high school creative writing class, sometimes our free-writing time is over and they don’t want to stop. Or they bring in what they’ve written at home, even though that’s not a requirement. It makes for great afternoons.

5. This quote:

“We cannot seem to escape paradox; I do not think I want to.” (M. L’Engle)

A paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. Life is full of them; the gospel is full of them. After all, Christ turned the religious establishment’s way of thinking upside down. His “life from death” seems opposed to common sense, but it’s the truest of true.

And I, like Madeleine L’Engle, revel in those paradoxes. They make life interesting and wonderful and full of treasure hidden in the darkness (Isaiah 45:3).

Wishing you treasure this coming week,

Something bigger

Friday August 16, 2013

The first week of school!

It’s been filled with anticipation, excitement, a touch of regret (at not being able to sleep in), and lots of hugs. A good week.

And what does that have to do with something bigger? By the end of the post, I think you’ll have no question.

I'm linking up today with Susanne of Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five, where we recount the week's blessings.

My favorites this week:

1. Graduates. Yes, it is the beginning of the year, but often past graduates use this time to run by and say hello. That has happened a bunch this year. Kicking off the entire week was a special visit by a former student who was always special to me and has grown even more loved. On Sunday, I got to see her four sweet children and wonderful husband. It is simply amazing what the Lord has done with their lives and in their family. They have two girls and then adopted two more Ethiopian children and will be journeying to China to get their fifth child. But most amazing of all is their hearts—made new. (You can visit and see this beautiful family here.)

As the week progressed, more former students dropped by for hugs and conversation and one is teaching right across the hall from me now. What a joy it is to watch a student grow into such a capable, excited, caring young lady!

2. The Kindle version of my novel, Pearl. It’s available on Amazon. Just went up on Wednesday. And there’s a touching review by the aforementioned former student, too!

3. Teaching creative writing. I have always taught Drama and English, and I love them both. I moved into creative writing this year, and I’m already loving it. The first day, three students said they wanted to be professional writers! They are just so creative and so much fun. And you know what else is great? I write when they do, and then I get to share with them.

4. Family and friends. The college boy journeyed back this week, and he went early so he could spend a few nights with his brother and new sister-in-law before college starts. I love how they have each other. Even our West Coast son has family and close family friends way out there, and that’s so nice to know.

5. A quote:

“Do you want to be part of something bigger than just this moment? Do you understand that you’ve been hooked to something vastly bigger than the borders of your own life?” (Paul David Tripp)

A family whose members come from all across the globe—and I was blessed to teach their mama, who’s helping all she can to get the word out about Pearl. A granddaughter waiting in India, and a son and his wife aching to be matched with her and bring her home to Kentucky. Students who return, just to hug or to teach across the hall from you. What blessings!

And the biggest blessing of all? That the experience of knowing and growing with the Saviour takes us beyond ourselves, way past the borders of our own lives.

Wishing something bigger for you this week,


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Great Things

Friday August 9, 2013

What’s the key to achieving great things?

Stay tuned for my fave #5 today, a quote that will clue you in.

I was all ready for Friday’s Fave Five last week, and then I realized Friday morning that our illustrious host, Susanne of Living to Tell the Story, was vacationing! I posted my five anyway, and I missed you all last week. Join us today as we recount the blessings of the week.

My favorites this week:

1. My big news. What a blessing! My new novel, Pearl, was released last week, and actually, last week’s FFF was all about it. If you want to see a little intro video (yes, I talk, too) and read about the story, click on over. And the biggest blessing is that it will help bring a little girl from India to my son and daughter-in-law’s family in Kentucky!

2. Being back with friends. Yes, it’s back to school time. This has been teacher prep week, and it’s been great to be back with my buddies. They're precious friends.

3. Legacies. There are times being a teacher is tough, of course, but the rewards are tremendous. Today I had a 2004 graduate and a 2010 graduate in my room—two lovely and talented young ladies—and I felt like a proud mama!

4. A summer with my boy. He drives away next week for his last year of college. (I can’t believe that.) And, of course, that means we have no idea where the Lord will have him next summer after he graduates. It’s been great having him here—talking with him, cooking for him. So thankful for this summer with our boy.

5. A quote that seems especially apropos as we teachers scurry around to ready our minds and hearts and classrooms for those students:

“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” (Leonard Bernstein)

It seems there’s always something more to do in the classroom. I have a plan and not quite enough time, so maybe great things are in the offing!

The Kindle version of Pearl will be out next week, if you’re interested.
I’ll post about it, so check back.

Wishing you great things this week,


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A Journey Toward Hope

August 5, 2013

That’s what the story of Pearl is—a journey toward hope...and peace.

In the midst of destruction and loss, for one mother the buds of hope begin to surface.



We’re on a journey of hope, too, as our family waits to welcome a child from India.

The purchase of my novel, Pearl, benefits my son and daughter-in-law’s adoption fund.

It’s available here and on Amazon. The Kindle version will be available around August 14th.

Journey with us toward hope!


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

Giving Love Away

Friday August 2, 2013

Giving love away…that’s really what this whole post is about.

I’ve been alluding to a project lately, and today’s the day I get to tell you about it!

My new book—a novel called Pearl—is out.

I’ll be writing more about the story and how it came to be in the coming weeks, but today’s five favorites of the week are all related to Pearl. I'm linking up today with Susanne of Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five and with Lisa-Jo for 5 Minute Friday. The prompt today is Story!

My favorites this week:

1. The story. As I watched images of China’s Sichuan earthquake of 2008, I thought of the moms. A number of schools collapsed that day, and many children were lost. Many Chinese mothers lost their one child that day. Pearl was literally the story that would not let me go; I was compelled to get the tale on paper. I had no idea how I would ever use the story—no, make that, I had no idea who the Lord would use the story…in His time.

2. The child. That would be my grandchild who waits in India. Proceeds from the sale of Pearl will go directly into my son and daughter-in-law’s adoption fund. What a blessing to be able to use the words I’ve penned to help bring her home to Kentucky.

3. The process. When initial feedback on the first three chapters I took to a writers conference was positive, my desire to finish this story was confirmed. My Kindred Heart Writer friends read and proofed and listened and prayed. They cheered me along in the process even before I knew why I was writing Pearl.

4. My family. As always, they’ve been so supportive and excited, all along the way. My youngest son and my husband shot a video introduction to the story this week for me. I’m planning to post that on Monday, so be sure to come back by! I’m so thankful for their help and expertise and creativity—and their willingness to share it with me.

5. A quote:

“God has called us into the joyous ministry of giving His love away to others.” (Don Lessin)

As my son and daughter-in-law open their hearts and homes to this little one, the overflow of His love in their lives spills over on others. This whole process—all the paperwork and minutiae, the waiting and the worrying—it’s all because of love.

Because they are loved by the Father, they’re compelled to share His love…and a little one from India will come to know His love through them. What a blessing!

If you’d like to meet them, visit here. If you'd like to see them talk about their heart for adoption, click here.

And if you’d like to know more about getting a copy of Pearl, you can visit this page or Amazon. The Kindle version will be available in about ten days. If any of you feel inclined to share about Pearl on your blog or Facebook page, we'd be thrilled.

Wishing you love to give away this week,