If you clicked on ‘about’, then you’re curious who this crazy lady is. And if you’re curious, I’m game to share.
I am first and foremost a child of God, saved by grace. And my highest goal is to bring Him glory through my time here on earth.
But it ain’t always easy.
I struggle with laziness, stubbornness and an uncanny knack for justifying my self-serving ways. Good thing I don’t have to be perfect to be saved.
I am wife to a military man, who does look good in a uniform, and together we are the incredibly blessed parents of twelve children.
One just out of college. One in high school. One in middle school. Four in elementary school. Four at home. And one in heaven.
Esther was to join our family, but passed away – from complications related to her heart defect – before we were able to bring her home.
Penelope joined our family in July of 2011.
And we traveled to bring Tallula home in April 2012.
Our eight youngest – including Penelope, Esther and Tallula – were considered by China to have “special needs” and came into our family through China’s waiting child program.
We have been immeasurably blessed by growing our family through adoption. And to help advocate for those in China who still wait, with the help of some brave and talented women, we created No Hands But Ours.
Something else that is near and dear to my heart is spreading His word. But not just in any old way. Our vision was to have a way for women to wear their faith.
In early 2008, Wild Olive Tees was launched. A collaborative effort of Amie, Colleen and myself, we share a dream that goes beyond sharing His word. We are passionate about following His word – specifically caring for the orphan. Between the three of us, we have 26 children: 10 through biology, 16 through adoption.
Because we are fully committed to orphans and orphan care at Wild Olive, so we support several charities with a portion of our profits. We also support adoptive families through our adoption fundraiser program.
I feel incredibly blessed that God laid the need of the orphan on the heart of our family. And it is my prayer that, through this blog, others would be encouraged to consider what they can do to make a difference in the life of an orphan, whether through prayer, sponsorship or adoption… there is something each of us can do.