Katie R. Hurst

A few months back a friend of mine lost her son. The ache was felt by so many. There were too many losses. He was the baby of promise. However, he was born too soon. His momma had lost so much, so many babies. I cried for her. I prayed for her in the night hours. And then I heard his name, Emanuel. "God with us." I cried even more. What faith! It rebuked and inspired me all at once. And I knew God had given us a gift, a reminder that He is indeed always and forever with us. Emanuel. Tragedy does not negate the gift. Death does not erase life. God used that tragedy to encourage my heart in ways I am still comprehending. When I was scared of our coming adoptions I would remember Emanuel and with every remembrance I was reminded "God with us." It is a present statement, always evolving and never changing. I was asked at one point if I was ready to bring the girls home and I told them the truth, no. No, I wasn't ready. I was only ready for the step I was

He is my refuge, my ever constant help, my anchor in the storm. He keeps my feet from slipping, He sets me in the high places. He saves me. And I stand in awe of what He is doing in my heart.  Two months ago I would have said I wasn't prepared for today, had I known what today would bring to me. I would have turned and run the other way. And I would have missed it. I would have missed the shouts of Hallelujah, the giggles in the middle of the night. I would have missed learning how to feel the wind in my fingers, and how the sun draws me into its warmth. I would have missed snipping bottle tops, rocking for hours, singing songs to silly tunes.  Had you told me what I would have missed I still would have wanted to run away if I had known what I know today.  But God is greater then my weakness. He set a love in my heart for these girls that is fierce and lovely, and cannot be explained.  I know what is before me and I know that the road is crazy, ridiculo