The Butterfly

I've never told about this part of our adoption before, so here it goes. 

When we saw Peyton's picture for the very first time it was on the Horner family's blog.  I followed their blog for the almost four months they were in Ukraine adopting their kids.  During this time, Alecia found comfort in God showing her His presence through butterflies. 

As we were pursuing the adoption of our kids, butterflies took on a special meaning for me as well.  There were many moments of discouragement and frustration, questioning why things were happening the way they were, and just really needing to see or feel God's nearness.  Everytime I needed to see, God brought a butterfly.  It might have been a painting on a wall; an embroidered butterfly in a frame at our hotel; Peyton's friends at the orphanage drawing butterflies; someone we came in contact with having a butterfly design on their clothes; the taxi driver having butterflies on the seat cover; to yes, even real butterflies on our many walks to the orphanage.  God is awesome like that and everytime the butterfly appeared I had such a peace in knowing that God was so near.  I felt like He was showing me everything was ok, no need to worry, just trust what was going on and His timing. 

Well, today when Peyton got home she was so excited about a little gift she had made at school.  She said it was for me and daddy.  Since I had just opened the gift Cash had made, I decided that we would wait until Gary got home so he could open Peyton's gift.  She was ok with that as she has become just a little smitten with her daddy.  Before I show you what her gift was let me just say that I have had some things going on in the last couple of weeks that I have been frustrated about and just a little discouraged.  But God has given me this verse:

Psalm 37:4-7 - Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord: trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your rightousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

And, once again, a butterfly, Peyton's gift.

Awesome God!




 

 










I have another short story I have to tell.  I listen to Christian radio and also some Christain cds and well, I have probably wore out my Mandisa cd as my kids know alot of the words to her songs.  There is one particular song that I sometimes skip over because the kiddos have their favorite song that they like to hear and it is not at the top of their list.  The name of the song is Free and free is repeated alot.  So one day as I was driving along and in my own little world the Free song was on and I hear this little voice in the back saying free everytime he hears it.  And I thought, yes you are sweet Caleb, you are free, an orphan no more.  I said that to him and he just grinned.  The other little ones wanted to know what I meant and I explained to them that Caleb now has a family and he is free to be all that God intended for him to be.  They were so excited and now when this song comes on they say, Caleb, you are free.

Oh, and one more thing.  My sweet Carson (ok, sometimes he is just so onery) singing for you.  I know it is not a Christmas song but it too cute not to share and yes I started laughing and I think you will too.

~Tina