• Made New

    ByKristin faith, Rachel

    Being able to say Rachel has heard the gospel her whole life is a blessing, but that doesn’t change her personal need for a Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way — to heaven, through hard days & seasons, and to peace that passes all our understanding. 

    She may be young, but during a hard season in our home, she ran toward Jesus instead of away from Him. Through many conversations with Greg and me, her teachers at school and church, and other trusted adults, Rachel realized she doesn’t want to be apart from God. 

    One night in July, when she should have been sleeping, right after our Alaska trip and before VBS and Crossings, she put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and decided to follow Him. 

    She’s still asking questions, starting conversations, and digging deep, but she believes & trusts in Him who made her and wants to become more like Christ. She took a huge step forward Sunday morning when she made this faith public through believer’s baptism. 

    I could list so many people who helped (and will help!) us raise this girl in the ways of the Lord, but I’ll just leave it at this: We are so grateful to be surrounded by such an awesome community, especially at Hardin Baptist Church and New Covenant Christian Academy. Walking up to the baptistery, through the high school room, to her Sunday school class, and then back into service was so fun because so many people wanted to celebrate her — who she is in Christ and what He’s doing in her life. These are our snapshots of some of our people, and we truly don’t know another way to know God and make Him known than together. 

    After her baptism, she hugged us and was going to change into dry clothes, and I said, “Do you feel refreshed?” Immediately, she responded, “I feel made new.” 

    Indeed! This isn’t just refreshment for the moment but life-giving nourishment for the rest of our days. I’m thankful God keeps teaching and growing us in His ways.

    *****

    Another note: The Internet is a weird place. I debated sharing my video of her baptism after I’d already posted a carousel of pictures, but I did. And, y’all, God has used it! I’ve been writing and sharing on the Internet for a long time, but the reel of Rachel’s baptism is going viral, literally. The fact that this video is one of surrender and actually doesn’t have anything to do with me isn’t lost on me. Leave it to God to work in ways I never expected, even on Instagram.

  • Happy birthday, Rachel!

    ByKristin Rachel
    Photo by Bailey & B Photography

    This girl has grown up this year. I realize that’s cliché and literally what happens from birthday to birthday, but I can see it. You know, sometimes you’re so close to a situation to see the changes? Yeah, I’ve seen this girl grow in height, maturity, and faith — and she’s as physically close to me as anyone ever wants to be. She’d sleep in my bed with her lanky limbs wrapped around me, if I’d let her. I don’t let her, just for the record. 

    Rachel is 11 today! 

    This summer was full of so many questions from Rachel and prayers for Rachel. She’s sorted through what it means to choose Jesus as Savior and Lord. Approaching midnight one night in July, Rachel decided to make her own the faith we’ve raised her in. This decision came in the midst of a family vacation, Bible school, and church camp. 

    And she’s being baptized in front of our church family tomorrow — like a double birthday! 

    She’s brave in a million ways and also worries about a lot of things. She’s perceptive and curious and joyful and easy to be with. 

    This year she and some of her fifth-grade friends started playing volleyball with the middle school girls, and it’s been so good. Watching is fun, but I see her confidence growing too. 

    She’s still part fish, and would swim anytime. With all kinds of rhythm and creativity, she knows all the words to so many songs and can make up a dance in no time. She’ll tell you she wants to be an astronaut, but I’m not sure she will stay committed to school beyond its legal requirement. But the adventure component is right for her. 

    As a mom, this year has been odd and required much adjusting. The teenagers aren’t home much, so I’ve had so much time with just Rachel that I didn’t see coming, although maybe I should have. Cate moved out and into a rental house in August, and Ben loves to drive, work, and socialize. 

    Eleven years old is still a little short of the teenage years my baby girl is longing for, but I’m praying we can bottle up this girl like this for a little longer. She’s good for my soul, and a blessing to our whole family. 

    Happy birthday, sweet girl! I’m excited to see how you keep growing up and depending on Jesus. 

    *****

    Look back on Rachel’s past birthdays:  One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

    Learn more about her adoption story in “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.”

    God authors the stories on our porches and wherever we go. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive #PorchStories emails about every other week.

  • Double digits

    ByKristin motherhood, Rachel
    Photo by Jamie Allred

    Rachel wants to be a teenager so badly. I’m guessing it has to do with her teenage brother and sister – and the fact that their friends are typically very kind to the little sister. Regardless, here we are with evidence that birth order and age gaps in a family shape a person. 

    Today she turns 10. Two hands full. Double digits. Or, like her dad said, a TEN-AGER. Get it? Like a teenager, but with one less E. 

    Regardless of what you want to call it, this girl is easy to celebrate. She’s always looking for, and often creating, a good time. Yes, this makes chores difficult. She’d much rather dance to whatever pop song is playing on her Alexa than clean her room. She’d rather roller skate or hoverboard around the house than clean up her shoes and socks and trash. 

    Rachel is in fourth grade, which, I think, she’d tell you is better than she expected. That’s a win from a girl who doesn’t love school. At least that’s what she says. I know for certain she likes socializing, learning random historical facts, and asking me science questions because she knows I may not know the answers. 

    Teenager, I tell you. I mean, tenager. 

    When she’s not leaving marks on our fake hardwood floors with her roller skates, Rachel likes swimming, playing with her dog Bailey, watching KPop Demon Hunters, and pretending her life is a fashion show. She has no concept of time, but asks me multiple times a day what’s happening tomorrow. She told me recently that fall is her favorite season, but I distinctly remember last winter when she told me she wished summer stayed all the time. She likes axolotls, has approximately 1,629 stuffed animals that all somehow get played with, and wants to believe all four cats are hers. 

    We’re celebrating tonight with a Dive In Movie in (or maybe around) the pool. We have several dragon pool floats and cookies ready for when we watch the newest How to Train Your Dragon. She convinced me to buy dragon wings for the dogs and is disappointed she doesn’t have a dragon-like swimsuit for herself. She’ll be the life of the party because that’s what tends to happen even when it’s not her birthday. But today she’s a tenager, so let’s celebrate! 

    *****

    Photo by Jamie Allred

    Rachel,

    From the day you came into our lives after so many prayers, I haven’t been the same. God taught me about joy when you were a baby, and He continues to today through you. You make life brighter and more fun. I’m excited to see how God continues to use you for His glory and the good of everyone who knows and loves you. Happy birthday, sweet girl!

    Love, Momma

    *****

    Look back on Rachel’s past birthdays:  One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Learn more about her adoption story in “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.” God authors the stories on our porches and wherever we go. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive #PorchStories emails about every other week.