{US} The Ward's | Homecoming

The Ward's are a very special family to me. When I was ready to surrender to God's will for my life, I knew I needed to get plugged in to a small group. I joined a women's group at my church where Kim Ward and Traci Slusarski were my leaders. I just clicked with them. It was amazing how God put this woman I admired so much- she is definitely beautiful but God showed me how you can be beautiful in Spirit and on fire for Him. It was contagious! She mentors me and I mentored her daughter. A perfect picture of Titus 2. Kim and Traci prayed for me to meet my now husband and guided me every step of the way in trying to pursue purity, be a Godly woman and role model, and to use my talents for the Lord. Her husband, Matt, has come along side my husband and listened as we discussed dating nuances and issues.

When I met Kim in 2008, she was praying about adoption. She had a heart for babies and for Africa. She prayed for 5 years or more (if I remember correctly) just for Matt to be open to God's calling. She would share her passion and other moms in our church wanted to fulfill James 1:7 as well. They all received their babies and children and Matt and Kim were still patiently waiting. There were many road blocks and hurdles, but their story is of patience, persistence, and trusting the Lord. He is a God of FAITHFULNESS. And a promise-keeper.

Finally the day had come to get their siblings. A girl and boy... 9 and 6 I think? We met as a big group with a huge banner awaiting this precious family.

It makes me tear up every time I think about God's picture of love. Beauty for Ashes. Orphans being adopted into the family of God. Here they were, children... that nobody wanted.. whose hopes may have been weakened. 9 years of being without a mom or dad. 9 years of being the "least of these." To get on a plane with loving parents who CHOSE you, prayed for you, and now adopting you and making you their own. Heading down the escalator to a HUGE banner with YOUR name on it, tons of people celebrating, ethiopian music playing, smiles and tears and shouts of joy, hugs and high fives, and all for YOU. Like WOW! Praise God!

The first time I met her daughter, Emma, she came into our holiday party and practiced singing this song for us. How fitting.

Part 1: Pure Religion

James 1:27

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁷External ^[a]religious worship [^[b]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

I was SO excited when Ellen's best friend Aundrea set up a surprise photo session to document their adoption from China. Ellen, her husband, and her son had been traveling over 18 hours back to the U.S. from picking up their brand new baby girl, Nellie. It allowed all of her friends and family to hug all over them without having to worry about snapping pics too.

Ellen's friends and family made huge signs and met at the airport to welcome them home at 11:30pm. This family, along with others, have really been called to practice pure religion and to care for the orphans of this world. 

Ellen has a blog about their journey that you can visit HERE and the orphanage's website has adorable photos of them picking her up.

I was moved to tears watching the embrace of loved ones who had been PRAYING for months about this baby girl. She was left with no one, at an orphanage in China. To see every one love on this little doll and provide her with a new family was a vision of what God has done for us and a picture of what His love looks like. As tears dropped from behind my lens, I snapped these shots:

Grandma's first hug.

Congrats Scisciani family! 

Stay tuned for Part 2!