Click here for the backstory. This scripture keeps tapping me. Consistently, it shows up in my reading. Threads of the verses weave their ways into my thinking and into my prayers. I’m often left feeling like I have too little faith. Just like the disciples, I want to beg, “Increasemy faith, Lord!” The thing is, they didn’t need more faith. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. It’s not about me and how much faith I can muster. A little faith is enough for… Read more Tiny Faith is Enough {Story 13 of 40} →
Six years separate then and now. I tried to recall a single photo of just the three of us during the span of time between then and now. I don’t… Read more Then & Now {Story 12 of 40} →
Click here for the backstory. Last week marked the sixth year of our forever family for our daughters. Walking in the front door for the first time as a family of five, I think I was the most awe struck of us all. I didn’t expect to be there – standing in our entry way with two new daughters and a two year old on my hip. I imagine my eyes to be a bit wild, my curls not quite contained, and the family I always imagined seemed like a… Read more By Faith {Story 11 of 40} →
Click here for the backstory. A few weeks ago, I asked Hannah, “Would you like me to help you learn to run?” She looked up from her book. “Why would I want to run? You know I hate running. You get sweaty and it hurts.” Smiling, because I expected this answer, I said, “I know some of your friends are in cross country and since you are going to the junior high next year, I thought you might want to learn to run. I’d hate for you to not join… Read more In Training {Story 10 of 40} →
Click here for the backstory. Rahab inspires me. Do you know her story? She was a prostitute in Jericho and men were always knocking on her door in the middle of the night. Then one night, two men knocked for a completely different reason. They needed her help to save their lives. They were spies. There was no reason she should have helped them. There must have been a nudge in her mind, a whisper in her ear, a quickening of her heart in knowing the Lord. It was almost… Read more Faith {Story 9 of 40} →
Click here for the backstory. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. — 1 Peter 4:8 I didn’t want to sew on his new Bobcat patch. I didn’t want to do the extra load of laundry for her basketball shirt the next day. I didn’t want to make the treats for his classroom. I didn’t want to go shopping for band concert clothes. I did it anyway. I chose love. I didn’t want to clean the stove. I… Read more Love Each Other {Story 8 of 40} →
Click here for the backstory. When you adopt older kids, there are a lot of people who are quick to point out that the early years of a child’s life have significant impact on them. Although not their intent, it sometimes sends the message that they think my children are damaged goods and incapable of overcoming a rocky start to life. As an eternal optimist, I tend to downplay the impact of early experiences in life. I like to think that the present matters much more than the past. I… Read more How to Find Peace and Healing {Story 7 of 40} →
Click here for the back story. Last Saturday I lost my glasses. I took out my contacts and my glasses weren’t where they belong. Before I tell the rest of the story, you must know that I am blurry blind without glasses or contacts. It’s impossible for me to see the number of fingers I hold up in front of my nose. It’s also impossible for me to wear my contacts for too long. So, without my glasses I couldn’t write. Now you see the urgency of the situation. No… Read more Rejoice in Being Found {6 of 40 Stories} →
Click here for the back story. A little timeline: Late May 2005 — We decided to pursue adoption.July 2005 — All of our adoption paperwork was complete.January 2006 — Sam was born. July 2007 — Andy came home from Peru, South America with a prayer to care for orphans.September 2007 — We became licensed foster parents.February 2008 — We were called about a sibling group of four (!) all under the age of 5.March 2008 — The sibling group of four fell through, but there was a sibling group of… Read more Faith is an Active Verb {5 of 40 Stories} →
Ruth Ayres Writes 