Gift of Words

I just sealed up two envelopes filled with photos, letters and drawings that will be on their way to Africa. We’re so excited to have the opportunity to communicate with the kids. I think about them daily and worry about what their perception is over there… if they’re anything like Asher & Cora, they have no real concept of time. Do they understand I’m coming back? Even though it feels like SO much time is passing?

We originally intended to send care packages, but have been asked not to… Packages would likely be stolen and/or make it to the kids only if the school could pay bribes of some sort. (Totally different world than we live in, right? I see glimpses of the culture there, and in other countries we’ve visited, and am reminded how blessed we are! We live in a country that has imperfect policies, practices, etc. There are ongoing challenges and concerns… but the fundamentals of freedom, equality and pursuit of happiness are out there for us!) 

So instead of gifts, we are sending letters… and writing the letters has become a gift to us. Sitting down, thinking about what we want to say, formulating the words… it’s a sweet and simple way to focus our attention on the kids and what they may need to hear.

The family photos we're sending include pics of
A & C holding up letters for their siblings names.

There’s something significant in written words for me. Things can be said verbally, but they don’t hold the importance and value like a composed letter. I could get 100 verbal “happy birthdays”, but it’d be the one birthday note in my mailbox that really makes me feel cherished.

A letter takes time to create. The author has been intentional about compiling their thoughts. As the reader, you sense the importance of what they want to say. You know that you can read it once, twice, and over and over again.

I write Asher & Cora letters in a journal from time to time… to document special moments, gifts I see in them, and words of encouragement for their life journeys. I’ve also created an ongoing written testimony of what God has done in our lives that we will one day share with our family in detail… The list of how God shows himself is growing exponentially as we walk this path!

... and as I write this, I’m reminded that the Bible is God’s letter to us… and His written words truly give life!

Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! 1 Peter: 22-24 (The Message)