This sight of our beautiful son on May 5, 2003 is what began a new chapter, a new era of our lives. Chad and I entered into the parenthood stage of life. We were blessed, stretched and challenged. This era has seen new homes, new careers, new friends, new places and new experiences. It has has seen new heartaches, new challenges, new trials and new tests.
Shortly after adopting Kensington in 2007, our marriage went through an almost unrecoverable challenge. But by God's grace our marriage was reconciled and our family restored. What seemed though as a singular test became a series of trials. Chad and his partner in business parted ways. He has spent the last several months seeking God's will and direction for his life in a struggling economy and job market. Shortly thereafter, we realized Sloan's learning differences and sensory integration issues precluded him from attending a traditional classroom and we began to homeschool. My family is in the home building and real estate development business. Painful layoffs of precious friends have been the damaging result of the housing market collapse. Like Job, we have learned in this era that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. It is our daily challenge to bless His name in the midst of it all.
Now it seems that the Lord is on the move and we are coming to an end of an era and the beginning of a new. A new career, a new school and a new city for just a start. I am having to take a giant gulp of faith and step through my fear to take hold of the new adventure in which we have been called. So as we end this chapter and turn the page, I will have a new blog for our new start. I hope that our friends and family will faithfully walk alongside us on this new journey. Though our geography and experiences will change, our hearts will always remain with those we love. So there are no good-byes only new beginnings. Come back and visit us soon in our new beginnings.
"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
16 comments:
I would love to continue walking with you in blogland. Your willingness to share how God has held you through life's challenges is both a testimony and an encouragement. I look forward to following your new blog and the new beginnings your precious family is embarking on.
Found your blog through B&W Wednesdays. So glad I did. I love your honesty, your praises to the Lord in the midst of trial. Praying that you endure through Christ's strength.
I also have to tell you, I LOVE your kids' names! So unique and cute :) You have a stunning family!
Your sister in Christ, Angie :)
Hi Tisha~
Your courage to talk about the hard times you've walked through will definitely be a blessing to MANY who read this blog. I am sorry for all you've encountered but am so glad your family walked through the fire TOGETHER and you all made it to the other side--still together! I once heard a preacher say that God didn't promise us he wouldn't give us fires but he does promise to walk through them with us. As Christians it is easy to expect the easy button but it is so obvious that is not God's plan.
I pray you will feel God's presence and comfort as you face so many new things in your life. He has clearly been with you through the other chapters and will continue to be there until the end...Best wishes in all your new beginnings.
Blessings~
Lisa
Mommy to Lindy Li-Xiao
Waiting for her mei mei from Taiwan
I followed your journey back in 2007 to Kensington on myadoptionwebsite.com. So I was surprised to have stumbled upon your blog here through B&W Wednesday. You write from the heart and those words are so beautiful. I have no doubt that things will turn around for your family. This is the start of something amazing and I look forward to walking the path with you on your new blog.
Many Blessings,
Deanna
Tisha,
I look forward to your new blog! I'm sorry to hear you have had some trials during this recent chapter of life. Although I always believe that our trials in life lead us closer to our relationship with God. You and your family are truly an inspiration for me. I love hearing about your life and seeing your beautiful family in pictures. Know that I will be sending prayers your way during this time of change. Change is hard, no doubt. It's so hard to step out of "our boxes" sometimes. You and your family always trust God and his plans for you and I love that!
Hugs,
Emily
During many stormy times in my life this song was on the foremost of my heart:
STILL
Hide me now
under Your wings.
Cover me
within Your mighty hand.
When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, You are King over the flood.
I will be still and know You are God.
Find rest,
my soul.
In Christ alone.
Know His power
in quietness and trust.
When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, You are King over the flood.
I will be still and know You are God.
_____________________________
I will pray for you whenever God brings you to my mind. Especially as you embrace change, confront fears and continue to honor God through every struggle.
Andrew and I have been through a lot in our own journey of life. The one thing we have come back to every time is that it doesn't matter where we are or what we have as much as Who we follow (God) and who we have with us (family).
The journey is still tough. And when I have not been able to stand strong in Him He has had to carry me.
But God is faithful and never changes. He who has always provided and protected in the past will continue to in the future.
I look forward to hearing how God blesses you as you follow Him through this next chapter of your lives. Your blog is a testimony that satisfaction in life is found in knowing Christ.
First of all, that photo is adorable. Just look at that little bitty mouth!
I'm sorry about your struggles. It must be so frustrating (and I know it is because I've been there!). But here's a quote I've recited back to myself many times over the years: "A bend in the road, is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."
I've just found your blog and I hope to see a link to your new blog in the future.
Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!
Tisha,
Lisa is much better with words than I, so can I just say, "ditto"? She put my thoughts so much more eloquently than I. I will pray for you as you begin your new journey and will most definitely follow along with you. And if you're headed to the midwest, you give me a shout, ok?
Thank you for blessing others with your honesty, Tisha.
Sending big hugs your way,
Michelle
p.s. That is seriously the cutest picture of Sloan. So adorable!!
Oh Tisha, I almost cannot believe my eyes as I read this post..... sounds like we are walking along similar paths. I believe that God always has a master plan....sometimes we don't understand it when we are dealing with the hard stuff, but in a few months or a few years, it will all make sense and we will understand why we were given these obstacles in our lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you start this new chapter in your life. Of course I want to continue to follow along with you and your beautiful family. Just let me know where to find you:)
I love this photo of Sloan.....BEAUTIFUL!!
xoxo,
Lisa
Tisha,
It is your complete honesty and faith in God that keeps me following your journey. You love and faith is amazing and such an inspiration to me.
We too are facing many changes, challenges, and new beginnings we are not yet able to share, but it is our faith that keeps us going.
You can certainly count on my to follow you Blessings,
Mandi
Thanks for playing along this week. I pray you continue to feel God's hand through all your trials and new beginnings. LOVE your kids names!!
I look forward to following your new blog and new journey. Let me know if your journey takes you south, I think our sons have a lot in common from birth country all the way to learning issues.
Your honesty in your post truly touched me..and I began to read further on your blog and your post about children learning a foreign language just screamed to me..b/c when I was younger and had my first daughter I was against her learning Chinese from her dad and grandparents..You know the saying Youth is wasted on the young..I was too young to see the importance..Now on my 5th child..I am endlessy push her learning Chinese..speaking words to her in Chinese(even though this is NOT my native tongue) I must tell you how my heart jumps for joy to see her picking it up..I have my 4th child in Chinese school while my oldest takes Mandarin in HS...I would love all my children to speak Chinese, but my son struggles in school already..and I fear anymore pressure might make him crack..
Thanks so much for your informative post!
Tisha, You are in inspitation to many. Your blog about Sloan and his learning challenges helped another friend whose daughter (China) is in a similar situation. They were able to seek help and are in the beginning stages of therapy. Thank you for sharing.
As others have said, God will be by your side during this transition. Nothing is easy, but the strength from God will carry you through.
I have followed you since you went to get Sloan (and before). I pray for an easy transition for you and your lovely family.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 'other' side.
Mary McG
in TN
I have been a lurker all along. I originally found you on my adoption website and have always loved following your beautiful and tender family. I have also treasured your honesty and your faith.
I pray that your new journey will be made lighter because of your faith. Can't wait to see what He has in store for you.
Fondly,
Anna (a fellow MAW mom)
I am praying God's blessings upon you and your family. I have followed your blog for a very long time. As I've alluded to before, our sons have similar challenges in the SID department. I can't wait to hear all about the new things God has in store for your family.
Blessings,
Misty
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