This past summer we began setting up the nursery, and as we thought of a theme, it only felt natural to chose a giraffe and safari theme. The summers of 2016 & 2018 Philip and I traveled to Kenya with our church to visit Naomi’s Village. There we saw and learned so much. We got to meet some amazingly sweet children and fell in love. There we met Kevin. He is an intelligent, funny, and expressive young guy. His imagination and sense of humor can get him in trouble from time to time, but they are also some of his greatest strengths. Kevin stole our hearts the first few moments that we arrived at Naomi’s village in 2016 due to the way we all connected with each other. For me personally, it was when we were at the campfire singing praises together. As we sat singing, Kevin so lovingly gazed at me. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, and he said, “Auntie, you sing so beautiful”. … My.Heart.Melted. … My heart also found healing. In the midst of my grief that I may never have children, in comes Kevin. In came God!

While there we also met Naomi and Joseph who are brother and sister, and attend the same school as Kevin, called Cornerstone. We grew much closer to Naomi and Joseph our second trip as we got to spend more quality time with them. Joseph really warmed up to us, and just to have him feel comfortable enough to come and stand with us and smile, was enough for us to fall head over hills for him. He has a cautious nature about him, so we were very aware that him showing that “small” amount of trust and affection spoke volumes. Naomi is such a sweet and beautiful little girl. Being on the playground with her and her friends singing and dancing to silly school girl games reminded me of the innocent joy we have in Christ. She is still learning English and there is a bit of a language barrier between us. However, that didn’t stop her from loving me. All it took was one smile from her as she reached for my hand. I couldn’t grab it quick enough! God continued to show himself through these children. From Kevin He showed his tenderness and affection for me, from Joseph He showed His steadfast love and faithfulness, and from Naomi He showed His nearness and Joy. Oh! He is so good Friends!

All three of these children hold such special places in our hearts. We cannot compare one to the other, nor can we compare the amount of love and affection that we feel for each of them. We love each dearly, and this has taught us and prepared us as adoptive parents. Adoption may not have been our plan A, but is was always God’s Plan. At first, we had fears. What if the bonds and amount of love is different between an adoptive parent and child, than a biological child? What if they don’t like us? What if they don’t love us? How can you love more than one child? How can you love a child, who isn’t your biological child, like they are your biological child?… all these fears and doubts crept up.

BUT GOD!

Among many other things and people in our lives, our trips to Kenya and Naomi’s Village ministered to us. They taught us about love, redemption, and healing. Kevin, Naomi, and Joseph may not realize it, but they taught us what family meant and what unconditional, redemptive love looks like.

It only felt natural to chose a giraffe and safari theme for our nursery since our adoptive journey began in Kenya in 2016. Katie Maddox incorporated this by adding animal print into some of the lettering on the design for our T-Shirt. So we hope when you wear this shirt, that you think of those 3 precious children that brought love, hope, and healing into our lives.

We are opening up T-Shirt Pre-Orders for the shirt design below. A friend of mine, Katie Maddox with Double Take Photography, designed this shirt for us at no cost. The link to pre-order the shirts is here.

EPHESIANS 1:5 – “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,”

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