A Sister's Letter to Oskar

There has been SO.MUCH.GOING.ON.
I cannot keep up.
I wish that I could be FOUR people to address the multitude of intense needs that pull me in every direction.
But I cannot.
I have wondered, "How in the world do I blog about all this stuff?" 
And I still do not have an answer.
But last night, my 13 year old shared her poem with me that brought me to my knees. And I knew…I wanted to share it with you. (she has agreed)

Sweet little Oskar, I cannot wait!

There are so many things to do

There are cookies to eat and things to create

And I will do so much with you!

I’ll feed you your breakfast and rock you to sleep

And then as you grow older

We’ll go to the pool and swim in the deep 

And make snowmen when it gets colder

Today I heard something Oskar, I don’t believe it’s true

No my brother don’t leave me behind

I never even got to meet you

What about all of those things I hoped for? 

The fun that we would have had?

Oh God please don’t shut Oskar’s door

Don’t you realize that this is bad?

Dear brother, you will never feel a summer breeze blow soft

Or make fun forts with our dad up in the hay loft

I want you to blow out your candles

I want to hear your voice

No stocking saying “Oskar” on the mantle

No Oskar sound or noise

Jesus please bring him back

The younger ones miss him so

He is a special boy our family lacks

He who we never got to know

None of us understand, dear Lord

We’ll never hear his cry

We’ll never hear his laugh oh Lord

Why did you let him die?

Please, Lord Almighty, we beg you

Jesus, give us peace

We know where he is off to

But we long to see his happy face

Dear Oskar, please don’t worry

We’re coming soon after you

We really want to hurry

Have you, dear, missed us too?

We can all peacefully rest now, boy

For we know where you are

In a place with love, purity, and joy

And Jesus to eternally rest on

I know that you aren’t here

But I’m sure you perfect and smart

Oskar, you may be in Heaven

But you will always be in our hearts

Who is/was Oskar? He was our 2nd son…born still at 39 weeks. You can read his story by clicking the tab at the top of the blog, "Our son Oskar." 7 years have passed, but we will always miss him.

Beautiful Things--Our Story

This is the video that God showed me in my mind while driving to an appointment earlier this week. "Beautiful Things" by Gungor came on the radio...and I watched the story of my life go by.

I was filled with joy and sheer awe. Tears were in my eyes and my heart was bursting!

Sometimes when you are living in a story, you don't always see the big picture!

God put this video together in my mind...and I came home and created what I saw. Special thanks to Brian Bagley for our airport homecoming footage!

As you see, Toby is patiently waiting for us to come for him. We are in the final weeks preparing to travel to bring him home! We still have $8,500 yet to raise in order to travel.

We have been graciously blessed by our church, Crossroads of Wauseon and Lifesong for Orphans, with a matching grant! Every amount given up to our grant will be DOUBLED! All money after that amount will come 100% to our adoption account payable for our adoption expenses. 

Will you prayerfully consider a gift to help us finish the task of bringing Toby home?

You can easily give online using the link on our sidebar: Lifesong for Orphans. Please follow the instructions below the picture.

However, if you would like to avoid the 1.9-2.9% Paypal service fee please write a check directly to Lifesong for Orphans. Your gift is tax deductible.  In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use. 

Mail checks to:

Lifesong for Orphans

PO Box 40

202 N. Ford St.

Gridley, IL 61744

Please write: Preference SHAW 3330 in the memo line.

We are forever grateful for the ways others have helped us fulfill what God has called us to do. In the words of Ashley Moreno,"We have been called to help heal, with God's help, a child who has suffered the profound damage of being unwanted and unloved. We are obediently living out the command given in James 1:27 to care for the orphan, clothing the gospel of Christ's redemption in flesh and blood. We are asking the body of Christ to come alongside us prayerfully and financially...to become part of the miracle of what God is doing!"