I came to know Jesus in the early nineties. I was well on my way to making a total mess of my life when the Lord reached down from heaven and gently grabbed a hold of my heart. In many ways it seems like yesterday. In other ways it feels like a lifetime ago. God has been so gracious to me over the years. Not only did He miraculously bring the man of my dreams into my life, but He has also enriched my life with the most amazing people on the planet.
Soon after I became a Christian I heard a song that opened up a whole new world of music for me–Christian music. I never even knew it existed before that. While driving in my car one day I popped in a cassette tape (like, dinosaur!) and heard what was to become one of my all time favorites sung by one of my favorite musicians, Michael W. Smith.
Little did I know all those years ago how poignant the words of “Friends” would become to me.
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
We have moved a lot. Like, a lot! Anthony and I packed up our home and headed to Australia ten years ago with our two young boys. It has been ten years of going where God sends us. We’ve lived on three continents and in more houses than I can even remember. Some of the places we’ve lived have been breathtakingly stunning. Others, not at all. But each time the Father has had us there for His purpose, not ours.
In all our travels, I can honestly say that the thing which stands out the most for me has been the people! We can live in the back end of nowhere–but the people will always make a place. Always.
I can’t believe the hopes He’s granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
Anthony and I are exceedingly blessed! As we have moved and traveled we have made the most incredible friends–literally all over the world. Some have come and gone–meant only to be in our lives for a season.
But then there are the others. The ones whom we know will be with us forever–no matter where the Lord sends us in this world. They’re the kind who are always there. They’re the ones who love us so unconditionally–with all our faults and in all our humanness. They accept us just the way we are.
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
They’re the friends who keep us close–even when we’re gone.
Yesterday, a big group of these precious friends got together and arranged a going-away party for our family.
We had no idea what they were up to. No idea. It was a total surprise! Most of them didn’t even know each other. Through the hard work (and amazing scouting abilities) of my amazing friend, Kathryn, they all came together to love on us.
Oh my goodness! We were blown away.
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
We were overwhelmed by their love, their kind words, and their willingness to travel from out of town to spend time with us before we leave this area.
I got to love on my sweet, sweet Julia. A little girl I love like my own. Many of you will recognize Julia as the first angel I ever advocated for here on my blog. Exactly one year ago the Schwenzers started the process to adopt Julia from the same orphanage as Hailee and Harper. Julia was one of Hailee’s roommates.
I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to be able to love on this little honey. She has come so far since coming home last April. Every minute that I have been able to spend with her over the last year has been such a gift to me. I am forever thankful to the Lord.
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say “Never”
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Below is Julia’s daddy Steve and her brother, Aaron (adopted at the same time as Julia).
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
Our kids were so blessed to be able to hang out with some of the people they love the most in this world.
Thanks, sweet Madison, for being such beautiful example to my children. We love you.
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
As I ponder the season in which the Lord has had us here, and the journey that He had us on over the past 17 months, there is so much on my heart. Lessons learned, trials endured, faith tested….
And many, many new friends made along the way. People who have loved us and supported us even in the midst of their own seasons of trial. Those who have given, and given, and given. Friends who showed us what true servanthood means. We are so much better off simply because we now call them our dear friends.
With the faith and love God’s given
Springing from the hope we know
And friends who have been there for what seems like forever. Friends who simply love….no matter what. How blessed I have been to see one of my dearest friends in the world bring her second adopted daughter home since I have been living here. I am eternally thankful to the Lord for that. It has been one of His many gifts to me in this season. Thank you for always pointing to the ONE who leads and guides us, Rachel. You are a treasure in my life. How terribly I am going to miss you.
We will pray the joy you’ll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
My sweet children were never lacking arms to hold them and cuddle them. Harper, of course, is always looking for a set of willing arms to snuggle her. She can’t help herself.
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Oh, sweet Dusty. This boy is such a miracle. If you have read here for a while you will remember the Hinz family. We met them a year ago when we visited the Schwenzer’s church. God did such an amazing thing in Amy and John’s hearts that day. They went home knowing that God was calling them too to walk on water.
Just one month after the Schwenzers got home with Julia and Aaron, the Hinz’s got home with Dusty and beautiful Sonya.
Dusty is a new creation in every way imaginable. This boy was in such poor shape when they got to him in the orphanage. He came home and was immediately admitted into the hospital with malnutrition. Just look at him now…only five months later.
Glorious redemption!
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
That makes six children saved from the same orphanage! All of them together yesterday.
It did my heart good to see how far they have all come and how well they’re doing. I cannot even tell you.
And a friend will not say “Never”
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Precious Amy Hinz with Hailee and her handsome Dusty. These two could SO be biological siblings. They are so alike–not only in looks but in mannerisms too. And to say that they are both completely obsessed with food is an understatement. They sure are making up for every day they lay hungry in an orphanage crib.
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
Two peas in a pod.
“Hey, Hailee, is that food in your hand?”
My wonderful friend, Andrea, was so gracious to host the soirée at her home. I did have to laugh with them later though.
“So, Andrea, did you have any idea just how many kids would be descending upon your beautiful home?”
No, of course she didn’t. Even though Kathryn assures me that she tried her darnedest to warn our amazing hostess just how many kids our friends had. Ha! We appreciate it so very much–her house was literally taken over by a multitude of little people running around.
Thank you for your incredible hospitality, my friend.
Large families stick together, I guess.
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
(Four children were missing from this pic)
Twelve of the children in this picture have been adopted! Just from a small group of our friends.
How awesome is that? The Kingdom of God advancing and taking every orphan held in captivity OUT of darkness and brought into loving families.
What a beautiful evening we had! Our hearts were totally overflowing from all the love lavished upon us. There were tears, yes–but good tears. Tears of joy, thankfulness, and an overwhelming love that I have for each one of these precious friends in my life.
Anthony and I drove home after lingering as long as we possibly could, and all we could say was, “Oh my goodness, did that really happen to us?”
It is with such a heavy heart that we leave here and head back to our home in the mountains. It’s the people–the ones whom we have come to know in the last year and those who have been around for a long time–which makes leaving hard. We’re feeling like we’re leaving behind a piece of our hearts. Goodbyes are my worst.
But one thing I have come to understand in such a personal way as I have left my family overseas and said goodbye to friends more often than I care to remember–friendships in the Lord are not governed by distance nor by how often we get to see each other. They’re a gift from the Father–here on earth and for all eternity. Friends truly are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.
Thank you, sweet Amy and Madison, for allowing me to use some of your photos for this post. I wish I got to take pictures of each and every person who was there.
Kathryn and Andrea…there truly are no words! How can we ever thank you enough? We are forever thankful for what you did for us. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for blessing us the way you did. We love you both so, so much.
