This Is the Day the Lord Has MadeSample

BLACK SATURDAY: WAITING IN THE UNKNOWN

When I was younger, I had always wanted a little brother. I never thought that I would ever have one until the opportunity to adopt a little boy named Able was brought to my family. Around the end of 2019, my parents became connected to a child who was in foster care and didn't have a stable place to live. Our family wasn't sure if we would adopt him, but we knew we needed to provide a safe and loving home. Not everything went as expected initially, but he moved in with us on January 25th, 2020.

When we first met him, he couldn't speak a single word, but over many months and years, we helped him learn and grow as a toddler, no matter how difficult it was. After being asked if I wanted him to be a part of my life and my family's, I thought back to when all I wanted was a little brother. Whenever someone asked me if I wanted him to be in my life, I always answered yes, never a no.

After going through many processes, we knew he needed us to give him a forever home. Just like in the story of where Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat and waited by Jesus' tomb for Him to rise, our family waited what felt like forever to adopt Able and to call him ours. Though the process was tiring and difficult, we waited patiently and trusted God's plan.

Though Able’s adoption couldn’t come soon enough, I prayed every day for him – that it would all work out in the end and that he would find a place to call home, no matter where it was. The day finally came on March 25th, 2022, and we adopted him. I officially got to call him my little brother forever! I will never forget that day, and I will always be so thankful for an opportunity from God to find the little brother I had always been searching and praying for.

Looking back on these past years, I realize God has shown His way through all of it. Without Him, I would be lost and wouldn't have found someone to call my little brother and best friend for the rest of my life. Thank you, Lord!

Kenzie Houck, 9th grade