I made a difference to that one

Early one morning a boy was walking along a beach. Hundreds of starfish lay stranded on the shore, having been washed onto the sands the night before by a storm. As he walked, the little boy would pick up a starfish at random and throw it back into the sea. An old man came down the beach, walking in the other direction. He asked the little boy what he was doing. "I'm saving starfish," he answered. "Young man, don't waste your time. There's no way that you can make a difference for all these starfish," the man said. The little boy leaned down, picked up one more, and threw it back into the sea. He looked the man in the eye and said, "I made a difference to that one."-adapted from the story by Loren Eiseley

Today is the one year anniversary of our first meeting with my daughter Adanech Alaro Steward. You may think I am talking about her being a starfish and us throwing her a lifeline. I can tell you this that having her in my life has every day increased my joy. Every day I start fresh with the wonderful family God has entrusted to me. They throw me back into the ocean each day. Thank you God for making a difference to this one!

We cannot pretend we do not know.

It has been months since our last post. We are busy being a family. God is amazing.

I learned this week that a student in my class was going to bed hungry. This child was abandoned by his mother, who has a drug addiction, and left with his grandmother. Before his mom left she took all the money and food stamps. She is now in jail. Being a mother who has adopted from a forgien country I sometimes forget that children in my immediate reach are living lives of tragedy. God had been speaking to me about this child for several weeks. I assumed it was because of his obvious behavior issues. Little did I know that his world was crumbling. Just when I start to notice the "stuff" in my life that I want (ie. new carpet, shoes, ect..) God breaks my heart for a child who just needs love. He reminds me that he has given me blessings, not because I have earned them but because he expects me to give them away. "Touch the life of other people," he says to me. He knows I am not perfect. He knows the most disgusting thoughts that I have. He is not shocked and he does not turn away. He says look here and shows me that the glory is his. My life was not created to be perfect but to point to the only one who is.

God forgive me for my pity parties. Let my life not be about my material possessions but let it be about the people you love. Help me to spend the money you give to our family to touch the hearts of others. Point me in the direction you would have me go. In Jesus name Amen.

...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act.....

Prov. 24:12

-Sarah

THE TRUTH IS

The truth is that adoption--international or domestic is amazing.
The truth is that this sweet baby girl has captured the hearts of our family members.
The truth is she is our daughter!
The truth is that she is unconditionally loved
by her earthly family and her heavenly Father!

We Are The Truth
A Campaign and Call to Action

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.
Please Click Here to find out how you can help!!

Saturday Christian

Saturday Christian

I have been taught about the Last Supper and what it means. Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and revealed to them that He was the Messiah that was foretold by the prophets. He said that all the scriptures were to be fulfilled with Him for the glory of His Father. He gave the first communion in history by breaking the bread and drinking the wine, symbolic of his body and blood that would be shed the next day. He revealed that he knew Judas would betray Him and hand Him over to the Pharisees. He knew that He was to die a painful death on the cross.

I have been taught about Good Friday. I have read, seen movies, and looked at pictures depicting the horrible beating that Jesus took before he hung on the cross. I know that the weight of the cross caused Jesus to stumble and fall on his path to his death. That he received help in getting up the mount to his destination. I have heard the conversation between Jesus and the two thieves being hung with him. I know of the agonizing cry he gave out proclaiming that it is finished. The Bible says he was pierced in the side to see if He in fact was dead. This once again fulfilled scripture from the prophets of old, proving that He is the Messiah. I know that at the 9th hour he gave up his body to death.

I have been taught about Easter Sunday. They went to the grave to mourn and saw the rock covering the entrance had been moved. How they found no signs of Jesus other than His burial clothes laying in the spot His body should have been. I know that He revealed Himself too many people at the time and then ascended into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of His Father. I know that He sent the Holy Spirit down to help us thru our journey in life. I know that one day He will return to judge the living and the dead. I know that one day all knees will bow and proclaim He is the Lord.

That covers Thursday, Friday, and Sunday for Easter week. But what happened on Saturday?

After much prayer and seeking Gods face, I feel He is telling me that I am a Saturday Christian. I accept the Thursday, Friday and Sunday events as fact. I believe that what the Bible says is true about these events. I believe it so much that I have turned my life over to Jesus. I proclaim to those who will listen and those who won’t listen about what God has done in my life. I am not who I should be but I am not what I used to be. I am a new creature in Christ.

When Jesus gave His last breath on the cross, the Bible says he was separated from the Father. To be separated from the Father is to be in Hell. I weep when I see the movie “Passion of the Christ.” I feel ashamed as I see the scars and flesh coming off Jesus body for my sins that I have committed. These are horrible things to have to watch whether you believe them or not. How much more did He suffer in Hell? What type of horror did He battle thru? What type of torment and demons came after Him? His body was destroyed on Earth but his soul was taking a much worse hit on the Saturday after his crucifixion. Do I really want to think about this part of His journey? If I weep at His body dying, what should I do at His soul being ripped apart in Hell for my sake? For my families sake? For my friends sake? For the worlds sake? Was it called Good Friday because Saturday was that much worse for Jesus?

I have come to realize that I have to accept the Saturday as fact. That Jesus not only died on the cross for my sins but that He also went to Hell for me. I need to have no fear of death in my life. Hell has no part of my future. Hell has no part of my family’s future. Hell has no part in my friend’s future. When He rose from the grave, I rose from the grave. When He rose to the Father, I rose to the Father. When He comes again, I will be taken into Heaven with those who have accepted Jesus into there hearts. I will live in eternity with Him because the devil has been defeated and IT IS FINISHED.

This Sunday I will be coming with a fire to Easter service. This Sunday I will be coming to sing songs of joy and praise to my God. This Sunday I will no longer be a Saturday Christian. I will gain a new freedom, I will gain a new boldness, and I will see the hand of God move in my entire household. He will move in my workplace, my community, and in my church. Lives will change around me and I will proclaim the victory. Not for my glory but for the glory of the only true Savior, Jesus Christ.

Chris Steward

What a day

Today Addi read the paper and built a train with her big brother. She is amazed at being outside now and just stares and stares at things. God is our healer!

Is it worth it?

I think you can see the answer to that question. This is a new day for Addi. The world just got brighter and her destiny lies ahead. All praise to God.

Let the thaw begin

Just an updated kid photo. Addi has her second surgery this coming Wendsday, we will post after that is completed. On a side note, we had her fitted for glasses and she is sooo stinking cute in them.