Amya was just 16 months old when she came to live with me. Over nearly four years, I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow, learn, and thrive as her foster mom. And now, I am beyond honored to become her forever mom through adoption.
Adoption can be described in so many ways, but to me, adoption is beauty for ashes. Isaiah 61:3 says: “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory” (NLT).
This verse reminds me of God’s faithfulness and His ability to take the broken, painful, and difficult parts of life and transform them into something beautiful and redemptive. Foster care—and ultimately adoption—often begin with brokenness, but God’s grace and love bring restoration. He truly gives beauty for ashes.
I’m deeply grateful to Sam and his team at The Adoption Law Firm for walking this journey with us for two years, tirelessly advocating and fighting for Amya’s permanency.”
Kristen has written a children’s book; a beautiful love letter to her daughter. It can be hard to find language to comfort and reassure foster children. Children need and long for the security of a permanent place in a family. Long-term, fully committed foster parents do not want to make promises that they want to, but may not be permitted to keep. We found Kristen’s book to be warm, loving, and truthful, and we commend it to you.
Click on the picture above to follow a link to purchase a copy of Kristen Pike’s “If Only For A Little While.”
Embryo Adoption and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Alabama
