"Dear friend," a letter to Mothers in waiting...

My dear friend,

I have started this letter to you many, many times in my head. But sometimes it's hard to put into words all I am thinking. I may have met you before, or I may have never said a word to you. But I think of you often. 

I wonder, have I bumped into you at the grocery store? Maybe we are friends on Facebook. If we haven't met, maybe it would help you to know that I was once right where you are. And I have not forgotten how it feels. 

I remember the times when it seemed that every woman I met was expecting a baby. And my arms felt so very empty. So. Many. Times. 

Now it's me. I'm the one chasing a very energetic toddler. I'm the one who has that glow and the telling bump out front. 

If we haven't met, let me tell you a little about myself. For almost ten years of marriage, I was the one with the empty arms. And it hurt. So bad. I have not forgotten the hurt or the many tears. The wondering why? Then a little over two years ago, through the miracle of adoption and the sacrifice of a loving birth mother, God filled our arms. Quite full. :) We adore our busy, strong willed, but sweet and sensitive little girl! Then this fall, we got quite a shock!! In my womb, which I thought would always be empty, God placed a precious little being inside. And there she grows daily. 

I'm in my third trimester, and frankly, I think we are still in shock. It amazes me that there is a little person growing inside me!! 

But I think of you. Maybe I bump into you in the store. Maybe it hurts you to see me. I wish I could share my story with you and give you hope. Hope that through adoption, or pregnancy, or even opening your home to share your love with another's children, that God would fill your heart to overflowing.

I'm praying for you! That this time of waiting will all be worth it. That God would bless you exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or even imagine!

~Charity

(photo credit goes to Brittany Fogleman - a wonderful friend and supporter through many of my ups and downs and a very talented photographer!) 

Book Reveiw: The Photograph

When Jed finds a picture of an Amish girl in a book on a train, he is intrigued. The book itself has many notes written in the margins and he comes to feel as though he knows the writer. Lily and her family are distraught because of the disappearance of her sister. What is the connection between the photograph and the sister?

I normally enjoy all of Beverly Lewis's books, but for some reason I struggled a bit with this one. I did like the premise, but I had a hard time really getting into the book. It may be more the busyness of my life right now than the writing though. Lewis's characters are always memorable though. Great light read.

~Book given in exchange for an honest review by Bethany House publishers. My opinions are my own. 

Book Review: The Love Letters

I love getting the chance to review Beverly Lewis's books! In "The Love Letters," Marlena has moved to a different town to help care for her mennonite grandmother. Some of the things she is learning there have caused her to reevaluate her beliefs and what direction she truly wants to go in life. On top of that, she is suddenly given the care of her estranged sister's newborn daughter.

I really connected with this book and loved it! I think part of my connection with it is identifying the love and care you can have for a child that is not born to you. It isn't exactly an adoption story, but is in some ways. I loved the characters and enjoyed the development of their story.

~Book given in exchange for an honest review by Bethany House publishers. My opinions are my own.