Adopted by Grace
January 8, 2011 |
The New Year brought me an awful cold that lasted all week, I didn’t even get off the couch except for one thing. Julie Johnston contacted me with the amazing news that she and her husband had been chosen to adopt twins! So I dragged myself off the couch, and made myself go because this was something I just had to do! Don’t worry, I stood in the back and coughed into a scarf, but I am so thankful that I got to witness this heartwarming day. I asked Julie to tell her story. So here it is . . .
“Since the time we were engaged, Kenny and I have talked about our desire to adopt. We were blessed to be friends with many adoptive families early in our marriage, and were able to see first hand the redemptive work that takes place in a life through adoption. The Lord has greatly blessed us with 3 biological children….but about a year and a half ago, we felt in our hearts it was time to start the adoption journey! We began the process to adopt a child from Ethiopia, and began the enormous task of fundraising. A few months into the process with Ethiopia, the Lord led us to stop pursing an international adoption at that time…..and adopt domestically. We were shocked to discover that there is a need for families to adopt domestically!
On May 18th, 2010, we had completed our homestudy requirements and were approved to adopt through Covenant Care Services. We had no idea that a short time later, a courageous young birthmother had viewed and chosen our family for her plan of adoption. The 7 months we waited were hard. Longing to meet your child and having no idea how many month or even years that wait could be is a difficult journey!
On Monday, January 3, at about 2:30 in the afternoon, we received a phone call from our caseworker. Every second of every moment of the months of fundraising and waiting were made so worth it when she uttered the words, “How do twins sound?” I hit the floor in tears! Less than 48 hours later, we walked into the offices of Covenant Care and had our beautiful 11 weeks old twins, Jordan Kenny and Eliana Mesheal, place in our arms. I don’t know if words will ever describe the joy and beauty of those moments! Holding our babies for the first time, and then presenting them to their new siblings and relatives, were moments will always treasure. The Lord has so blessed our family through the courageous, selfless love our birthmother and through the beautiful lives of our precious children.
Adoption is a perfect picture of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He takes us as His own, redeems our lives and makes beauty from ashes. Our little blessings are fearfully and wonderfully made, and it is an honor and joy to be entrusted with their lives!”
In Christ,
Julie Johnston
(this is Julie’s site, she creates adorable play clothes that she sells to raise money for the adoption)
This is the amazing moment when Kenny and Julie introduce the two newest members of their family.
Julie gets a sweet hug from her mom, Barbara.
Julie’s daddy was in charge of the video cam and her mom is in charge of hugs!
The big brothers, big sister meet their new siblings for the first time.
What a doll!
Samuel holds his little brother’s hand for the first time. So sweet!
The Johnston clan
Kenny is one proud papa, holding his baby girl in his arms!
Little Jordan enjoys some snuggles from his mommy!
The staff of Covenant Care Services remind us of God’s goodness and pray with us. I seriously sobbed through this whole part.
Not only do Jordan and Eliana have 2 amazing parents and 3 beautiful siblings, but they are also blessed with an amazing extended family.
This is the amazing foster family that kept the twin for the first couple of months of their little lives.
The staff of Covenant Care helped to make this beautiful event possible by loving and supporting Jordan and Eliana’s birth mother through her pregnancy and helping her to select this amazing family to love and care for her babies.
Sweet kisses from mommy
Jordan Kenny Johnston
Eliana Meshel Johnston
Thank you so much, Kenny and Julie, for allowing me to be a part of this glorious day! I am so blessed to be able to witness the wondrous love of our Savior reflected in the love you have for each of your children. God bless all of you!
If you want to know more about the Johnston family, check out their blog HERE! Not only does Julie chronicle the journey of her family, but she also makes adorable clothes for little girls!
Jenny Evelyn
Eph 1:4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 5 In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
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