Yesterday I was given the opportunity to share our adoption story with our friends, the Taylors, on their blog theeccentricfamily.blogspot.com. 

I met my first Taylor family member in 2009; he just wasn’t official yet.  Justice was in Kids Care Orphanage in Ethiopia, waiting for God’s timing to connect him with his forever family.  Fast forward one year, and I have the opportunity to meet Joshua and Bethany in Ethiopia as they are united with their newest additions, Justice and Erbeka.  This was their second time adding to their family through Ethiopia, and they were beginning their journey as a family of six.   

The Taylors describe themselves as a “people who love God, believe the Bible, and desire to live out life in a community of believers.  In everything we do we try to glorify God and live in a way that compels others to a relationship with Jesus Christ.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

This journey called adoption connects you to other adoptive families in a way that is difficult to put into words.  But, God does that doesn’t He?  We aren’t alone; we are blessed with the Holy Spirit and sometimes with fellow travelers.   

My lenten study brought me to some hymns this past week.  This one seems perfect for this subject: 

“Blessed Be the Tie that Binds”   (words – John Fawcett, music – Wendell Kimbrough)

Deanne & Bethany in Ethiopia ~ 2010

1. Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

3. We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

5. This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

6. From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

Take some time today to meet the Taylors.  You’ll be glad you did.