broken.

there are a few defining moments in my life. i look back on these moments and i remember what He taught me. what He did in me. and how my life would never be the same again.

one of those moments was this past weekend.

i went to ICorphan because i wanted to be involved in orphan care. i knew the conference would be a great way to connect with people and to be challenged by the stories that God is writing. however, i walked away with so much more than that.

broken is a pretty encompassing word for how i feel. raw might be another.

i've walked the streets of lusaka, zambia and port-au-prince, haiti holding the hands of some orphans. i learned their names and heard some of their stories and because of those memories this weekend was so hard, but so hopeful.

i met a few families whom i hope to be friends with forever.

amy & josh bottomly shared their story about silas and olive. their words resonated with me because, i too, am learning how he brings beauty from our ashes. they wrote a book from ashes to africa, it was in my amazon cart before the day ended yesterday. their honesty and vulnerability made me love them instantly and their story drew me closer to the One who redeems it all. amy and josh, thank you for being willing to let us enter your story. i am better for it. we are all better for it.

moody & emily alexander were another couple that i walked away from the weekend so grateful for. He is writing a story that only He could write in this family. i wept as they shared in a break-out session on friday with matt & ginny mooney. i hadn't heard about their son abe until friday. but now, i'll never be the same. moody and emily are doing great things, but it's because they have been the recipient of so much of His goodness. it was in their story that i was reminded how He gives us good things. really good things. thank you, moody & emily, for teaching me that His goodness comes in all shapes, sizes, and stories.

matt & ginny mooney yet again brought me to a place where i was reminded of the beauty in brokenness. their session has left me thinking more than any other. what is valuable to Him? what is valuable to me? how do we measure value? i am grateful to call them friends. grateful to learn from their brokenness and in turn embrace my own.

in the afternoon i had the chance to visit with joy primm. it was a conversation that was real and messy. it was so good for my soul and i know He allowed that time for us to share together. her friendship is a gift and one that was deepened because of the tension found in the beauty & pain of the orphan crisis. i will ache with her until her daughter is home and we will ache together until all is redeemed. she's a sister-friend, for sure.

greg russinger said, "the broken lead us to our own brokenness"and that is where i am today...

and it is well with my soul.