Monday, November 23, 2015

He Gave Us a New Name

A lot can change in a year.

A brokenhearted, angry little boy can begin to heal. He can finally understand what family is. And that he has one.


A little girl who'd already blown the lid off of my expectations can reach milestones I wasn't sure she'd ever see.


A perfectly sweet 17 year old girl can reach her one year milestone living in our home, loving and being loved, and selflessly serving our family as if it were her own.

A mama who'd seen enough sadness to last a lifetime (or so I'd like to think), feeling overwhelmed and in over her head can reach the light at the end of the tunnel. She can begin to smile again. And breathe. And occasionally shower.

And after 33 years of waiting and dreaming and cautiously hoping, God can ever so swiftly and unexpectedly answer every prayer, spoken and whispered. He can answer the prayers I wouldn't have even known to pray. He can bring our family the gift of a godly, selfless, humble, strong, compassionate husband and father. He can show me a love I've never known on earth. So far beyond my expectations it's almost too much to take in.


He's here. The one we've waited for.

He's given us a new name.

And with that new name we've also been afforded yet another new start. A reimagined idea of what family can be. A safe haven from the storms of life. A warm, soft place to land at the end of a long day. Smiles and laughs, hard work and new expectations. A brighter future for each of us.


Yes, God gave us Chris. Very possibly the only man who could have taken us on, this crazy little family of ours. This man who God has quite obviously been preparing for this role, for this family for years.

He's given us a new name. And for every last thing it stands for, the sound of it is so sweet


17 comments:

  1. How wonderful for you and yours! Congratulations!

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  2. How beautiful! I am so happy for your family- thanks be to God! Tears of joy!

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  3. Kimberly Umland-WaddleNovember 23, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    Grace, I am so incredibly happy for you and your growing family. I don't know if you remember telling me, oh about 15 or so years ago, how you had your life planed out. Oddly, it was not this. This is so very much better than what you thought you wanted those years ago. Thank God for unanswered prayers. We wish you the best. I pray you find as much happiness and love as we have.
    Love to you all, Glen and Kim

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  4. That's beautiful, congratulations!!!

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  5. That's beautiful, congratulations!!!

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  6. Such a tender testimony of God's amazing grace. Congratulations!!!

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  7. Such a tender testimony of God's amazing grace. Congratulations!!!

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  8. Beautiful! Absolutely in every step beautiful to see you carry out His love!

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  9. Beautiful! Absolutely in every step beautiful to see you carry out His love!

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  10. Sooo incredibly happy for ALL of you!! Thank you God for such a fabulous,precious gift of hubby and daddy for Grace and children!! You are good ALL the time.

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  12. Beautifully written, Grace! We are so happy for you and Chris, and look forward to seeing how God continues to use you - now as a couple!

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  13. I am so happy for you!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

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  14. Congrats! So wonderfully exciting. I think we all had no idea you were even engaged! I'm so happy for you! :)

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  15. That's amazing! The new papa must be a wonderful man indeed. Congratulations!

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  16. Oh Grace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is so beautiful!!! congratulations and all of God's love and blessings on you and your beautiful family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much love to you!!! AAAAHHHH!!! xoxooxoxoxo

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