Victoria Ana...Surprise with brown eyes!!

Turns out with all of the birthdays in March and April, my posts are just re-living the amazing way God has created our family. Tomorrow is Victoria Ana's 6th birthday. Her's is a God-story of immense proportions.



Kent and I were vacationing with our family in Florida at my parents' home,

when we received a call from back home. One of the seasonal workers had contacted the farm and wanted us to adopt her un-born child. She was due in 2 weeks. At this time in our family we had six children. We were surprised, to say the least, but felt that we could at least walk Ana through this difficult time for her and maybe help her find a family for her child. She had an ultra sound that said she was carrying a girl.

I was already dreaming of pink bows and ribbons and curls. But the sensible one of our team was doing a better job of waiting and seeing if this is what God had for us.

We contacted a social worker at Bethany Christian Services and began the process of trying to find some help for Ana. About a week later I met Ana for the first time. I was going to pick her up and we would go to the Bethany Office together, she would have an opportunity to meet with a translator and social worker and we could find out how best to help her.

I was so nervous walking up to the door to knock and inquire if this was the right house. When the door opened it was obvious I was. Initially I was struck with how beautiful this young woman was, she had deep brown eyes, and amazing curly hair that hung just below her shoulders. I wanted to cry. I had dealt with two birth moms before, but I had never met one face to face. When God created mothers, His intention was that the bond between her and her child would never be broken. Although I was excited about the possibility of a beautiful, brown eyed girl, my heart ached for this woman standing before me.

We went to our appointment and as we left the social worker said. "Ana knows exactly what she wants, she wants your family to adopt her baby, she wants you to be in the delivery and she wants the baby to go right home to your house."

We got busy, we needed to update our home study and deal with a couple of other stacks of papers, but God had already planned for Ana to go overdue with Victoria. So when labor began the papers were completed.

Victoria's birth was unique. I was with Ana at the hospital, neither of us could speak the others language. For parts of the labor we had a translator, but for most of the difficult parts we did not. My heart hurt for her as she longed for her mother and would cry out for her. At some point during the labor she began to cry for me. I did my best to comfort her and help her through the delivery process. Victoria Ana was born in the wee hours of the morning on April 22, 2006. She took my breath away. I was so proud of Ana. I so wished I could talk with her.

We spent the next 2 days at the hospital. I was given a separate room and would check in on Ana and see if she needed anything. One night we were able to call a number provided by the hospital where a translator could help us talk to each other. Ana thanked me over and over again for adopting her precious girl. I wept.

I loved Victoria, but I was realizing I loved Ana too and so wanted to help her and find a way to make her life better.

On the morning of April 24th it was time to go home. It was a very difficult parting, one that neither Kent or I were prepared for. Just before the appointed time to leave I went to Ana's room and I saw her kissing Victoria's feet. I walked away as tears were streaming down my face.

How on earth could I complete this task before me. It was so gut-wrenching. I guess I thought that somehow if we were doing the right thing, the God-thing that He would make it feel all right. But it wasn't. We were able to give Ana a bracelet and a book of pictures of Victoria and then we left in separate cars. We were crying all the way home. We had one of the most beautiful gifts we had ever been given and yet, there was a brokenness involved in that great gift.

As we paused at the end of driveway, we realized that God had brought us this far and He would provide us with all we needed to take the next step. We were able to go inside where the happy throng greeted us with pure exhileration at another Karnemaat to join the ranks.

Victoria Ana, you are such a blessing, God has an amazing plan for your life, just look at the way in which He orchestrated your entrance. You were so loved by so many, and you were such a perfect fit for our family.

 God always has the best ideas and your life has changed mine in ways I cannot express. Thanks for being our sweet, little princess with just the right amount of spice to keep us hopping!

Happy Birthday, Victoria!! You were such a gift to us, I thank my God for you everyday!!

9 turns 5!

Isaiah Cole Karnemaat our 9^th child turns 5 today, heretofore the catchy blog title. This will be our 2^nd birthday celebration with Isaiah. He came to live in our house in June of 2010. It’s difficult to describe Isaiah’s impact on our family with words.  

He entered our lives through a sweet picture in a Bethany Publication, his name was Jin-seok Gim. He was an orphan; I was a mom with 8 kids. We were an unlikely pair. But God is full of grace, mercy and yes…

SURPRISES.

I want you to know that I have successfully looked through every Bethany publication that has come to my house since 1998, when I met Gillian. I have prayed for those “waiting children” and never felt any compulsion to inquire on the case of any one of those precious children. Until on a day in May when the January issue re-circulated through our house, I noticed a boy and wondered if anyone was praying about being his family.

So on a day when Kent was probably busy planting some of the seeds that needed a home to produce a crop for our harvest. I called him and inquired about getting busy checking on a boy who needed a home, little did I know that the harvest that his adoption would produce would be filled with such rich, amazing blessings for so many.

We began the journey and had a pause in July when another family who was also interested in Jin, pursued further testing for a medical condition I wasn’t even aware was a possibility. My social worker, Ann told me that unless this test for Fanconi Anemia came back positive the family was certain they would be adopting Jin. I was saddened by this news, apparently I have no skills at keeping my heartstrings intact until the details are finalized. But I reminded myself that we were praying for a family for Jin, and if we weren’t the family and God had another, at least we could be a part of bringing a child home, in that way.  About a month later Ann called again to let me know that the other family had backed out of the process. I didn’t understand, because the test had come back negative once again. Ann relayed that the family’s pediatrician still felt that this disease was a very real possibility and that it could mask itself sometimes. I was certain beyond certain, that God had chosen our family for Jin and he didn’t have this awful disease, God just knew I needed confirmation that this boy was for us. We began going through the paper process, required for us to adopt Jin. At the end of August a surprising phone call came. Jin’s latest blood work indicated a stronger possibility for Fanconi Anemia and our social worker advised us to talk with a Genetic Counselor in Minnesota before proceeding any further with the adoption.

I remember my first call to the orginazation that raises funds for Fanconi Anemia, the volunteer on the other end was very sweet and kind, but when I told her that we were in a process and looking to adopt a boy with Fanconi Anemia, she said. “Oh, I am so sorry.” I remember being really hurt by that, I wasn’t sorry, why was she so sorry.

Hmmmm, because she knew a little bit more about the disease than I did at that point. We then called the genetic counselor.  It was a pretty lousy phone call, we met Heather Zierhut, a sweet, articulate, honest soul with a heart for helping families deal with this obscure disease. She didn’t candy-coat anything. We started to get a clearer picture of this foe we were facing, wow was it ugly. We were perplexed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I was so sure I knew what God was up to, but alas my grand plan didn’t include this awful news. Those were

praying days,

crying days,

looking for a word from God days.

He spoke in a variety of ways, but in the end the confirmation to proceed with Jin’s adoption was unquestionable for both Kent and I. For that, I am so grateful. We went forward as one, completely aware of an awful disease, but more aware of a mighty God, who frankly moves mountains on a regular basis. A God who promised that He would always be with us, no matter what. He was gracious enough to allow continued confirmation at random moments through the process.

We met Isaiah in person on June 3, 2010. Without a doubt, it was love at first sight, I cannot explain it, he was ours by an extravagant gift from our Heavenly Father, who led us on a journey that would deepen our faith, trust and love for Him. His ways our truly beyond my understanding.

I am daily amazed at the way God has equipped this boy that He has made. As I watch him work a crowd with his sweet smile and love of life. I have lost count of how many people he has met and within minutes they are wanting a hug or a high five. He is charismatic, someone people just love to watch and observe and laugh with. If I were going to equip someone to fight a mighty battle, I’d give them Isaiah’s personality. He’s a “get ‘r done”  kind of boy. He would prefer to figure out how to do it with his hands, than have another pair of hands helping him. There have been countless opportunities for growth as we watch him face something, we’re pretty sure he can’t do. Just last week, Kent was playing baseball outside with the boys, out comes Isaiah. Kent shared with me that his heart sank. He just wanted to cry. But the neat thing is that Isaiah is oblivious to the obstacle. Baseball? Why yes I think I’d like that. We’ve faced buttons, zippers and a host of daily tasks that I take for granted, Isaiah always finds a way.

I want to be more like Isaiah.

When there are obstacles I want to think, yep, let’s do this. God has placed me here with this equipment and we can do this together.

 I want to love every minute of my life the way I see him loving his.

 I want no worries about tomorrow, because God isn’t asking me to live tomorrow yet, just today! Isaiah does that well.

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see.  --Corrie Ten Boom

Today, I am so thankful that God chose Isaiah to be my son, I am learning far more from him than I could ever teach him. He is a mighty man of God and he just turned 5.

Gillian Grace...God's surprise from Guatemala!!

It may amaze you to know that although we have 9 children through God's extravagant plan, we actually had some years of infertility. Those were extremely difficult as any who know that pain can relate. I didn't understand that period of time until my sister in law, Billie, offered this possible explanation several years ago.


"Kim, I think I know why God had you go through those years of infertility, because He knew what was coming your way and He needed you to want a baby really bad, because it wasn't going to be just one!" She may be right!!


What I didn't realize during that time of infertility is that God had a plan and He was at work. I love John Piper's quote regarding this mystery.

In every situation God is always doing 1000 we cannot see and don’t know, if we don’t understand why He’s allowing the situation we’re presently in, we can trust Him that  999  other things are going on and are all working together for our good and His glory.

So one of those 999  things God was working on that I didn’t see, was opening our hearts to adoption. We began praying about that. But we weren’t sure. There is an acknowledgement of loss when you pursue adoption and turn from the time and investment of treating infertility. During that time we went to a marriage conference and it was there that God threw the first brick.

Maybe some of you have heard this before, as the recipient of several bricks, I can relate.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: listen to the whisper or wait for the brick.

I was minding my own business in the session just for wives, ready to take notes and “be all I could be” in the "wifey" department. When another woman, a total stranger who was sitting in front of me turned around and introduced herself. We exchanged the usual pleasantries. One of which was asking about each other’s families. I found out  the ages of her children were 24, 22, 20, 18 and 5. That kind of needed a comment, so I said  “Wow that’s quite a span between your last two"


She replied , "Yes we adopted our daughter from Romania.”

I should have realized the potential for the brick, but I remained unaware that this was a God appointment.

I then innocently offered, “My husband and I are kind of thinking about adopting maybe someday”. (Notice all the wiggle room I left for myself, lots of ways to get out of this option.)

She smiled and the speaker called us to our seats and I thought our conversation was done.

It wasn't. God had a few things to say and He had chosen the servant to do the job. Right after the session ended this woman again, I might mention a complete stranger, turned around and said to me “Kim, You need to adopt!”

I smiled and thought, she looked so normal earlier, how in the world does someone have the boldness to tell someone else, a total stranger what they need to do. Kudos to her for remembering my name, but weren't we all supposed to be listening about being the great wife! I know I was!!

So I politely said "Really????" I was intrigued, this was too bizarre.

She continue,”Kim, there are far too many children in this world who need a family. And there aren’t enough Christians willing to open their homes and hearts to these children. If God is speaking to you and your husband about this, you need to follow.”

I’ll admit I’ve never had a conversation quite like that one. I really believe that God used that sweet woman to launch the brick that we needed to really begin to see what God was leading us into and follow the plan He had laid out for us.  God had been whispering and now was the time for the brick. We began to move forward with an adoption.

This isn’t the part where “we lived happily ever after”, but it is the part that we learned a bit more about faith and trust in the ONE who controls every circumstance.  Our feet we secure in Him and we just needed to trust and follow.

 During Gillian’s adoption process we lost our first referral. Her name was Maria and we were planning on naming her Isabella. We had her picture on our fridge for 3 months when the news came that her birthmother had left Guatemala and was reportedly in Honduras. Without her birth mom's appearance in court, she was unable to be adopted to a couple in the United States. That was a pretty low day. God was there. Friends of ours took the boys and we went to a restaurant to talk, grieve and pray. When we arrived back at our van, Kent went to get the boys and I hopped in the van to ride home. This was the song playing at that time

...So now I’ll walk a different road

 I want to see Him there before I even go
I’ve run ahead and gone too slow
I’ve got to be still now
Wait upon His will now
This time, It’s gonna be His time

Don’t want to live without
The peace that comes to me
When I am by His side
I’ve known the freedom there
Can’t find it anywhere But in Christ Jesus
I believe He’s got a plan
Everything in His time
I may not always understand

Everything in His time

When I arrived home I was crying, He had met me right where I was at. I could not understand this development, but I knew He did and I needed to follow Him, no matter where that led. As I walked into the house, we had left an instrumental cd playing before we left. In preparation for my entrance, God had apppointed this song to be quietly playing through our home.

In His time, in His time

He makes all things beautiful,  in His time

Lord, please show me everyday

As your teaching me your way

That you do just what you say

In Your time...

Words are inadequate in moments like these, I was on holy ground. The God of the universe who created me, was so obviously there in that loss and He not only knew the end, but He knew just what to say to give me hope for the next minute. He knew Gillian, He knew we needed to grow in our relationship with Him and this was one of those mighty moments of faith we would experience along the way. 

You see God’s plan included this path and it wasn’t painless but He never left us on our own, He was right there through every high and every low.  God gave and He took away, but in the end He was glorified and we knew a bit more about who He was and how He works in and through us.

Kent wrote this poem for Gillian and it summarizes his feelings through the process…

After much prayer and searching our hearts
It felt  as if our family could be missing a few parts
With much discussion and seeking God’s direction
We felt led to Guatemala with our excess affection

After checking around it became clear we’d need a hand

For it isn’t easy bringing a baby from a far away land
We sought wisdom from family, friends and anyone who could afford
But from more than men we sought help from the Lord


So in 1997 the long process began
The struggles involved we didn’t quite understand
We started with confidence because we had what it took
By the time it was finished only to God we could look

What fun it would be as the process evolved
To meet you our anticipation would be solved
So on a weekend in April to your country we flew
How perfect you’d be who could have known

But after a few hours it was time to head home
Back to Nate and Trent to wait by the phone
Only the three little items that were to take three short weeks
Soon developed complications that made all look bleak.

You see God wasn’t ready to finish the deal
Cause we needed to know how true dependence would feel
So through this whole process what did Mom and Dad Learn?
That to focus on Jesus you shouldn’t have to turn

For if from the beginning we’d left this to him
We’d never had the feeling out chances were slim
So in His own time He made it all happen
And then in that sweetness nothing our spirits could dampen

The final trip included Grandma, Trent  & Nate

Who thought a little sister would be so great
For Maria who kept you since you were 3 days old
It was a happy day with sorrow untold.
                                                                                     

 After 2 days with our paperwork complete

You had your 1^st plane ride with your very own seat
As the plane roared and left the ground
Again our God had been faithful His grace did abound

And then in the airport packed with family and friends

Our 1^st little chapter had come to an end
Welcome home Gillian you fit us just right
And you certainly are Daddy’s delight

So now dear baby learn right from the start

Trust all to Jesus and give Him your heart
For through you we’ve seen Him in a whole new way
And Dad’s here to ask you to trust and obey 

 God writes the best stories, His surprises are glimpses of His heart. He alone is worthy of all of my worship and praise!

Isaiah 43

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

A heart for orphans

James 1:26-27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

God loves orphans and has allowed us the priviledge of being His hands to those in this world who don't have parents. Perhaps you may realize this, maybe you don't, but November 6th is Orphan Sunday.

http://vimeo.com/12616432

In my life God has given me a love for orphans. At the end of the above video it asks people to help because they need you, and then there is a pause and it says "you need them even more"...it's true. It rings true in my life.

The first orphan that God brought into our home was named Aura Lorena and Kent and I met her in a hotel in Guatemala City when she was 5 months old. We had fallen in love with a picture and a promise that she'd be ours. We were awaiting her arrival with her foster mom and time stood still, or so it seemed. Shortly before the appointed hour we received a call from the front desk.

"Someone is here waiting for you." We left our room and from that first step into the hallway we had a view of the front desk. There was a tiny woman holding an even tinier baby. She was dressed in an aqua-green satin dress. It was homemade. She had a full head of thick, black hair and the biggest, brownest eyes I'd ever seen. She took my breath away. My heart was once again stolen in a way I can't explain. Within a few steps we were right next to her and within minutes she was in our arms. It was and is indescribable.

But I can tell you this, God knew how much joy, love and relationship with Him we would gain if we would just follow His instruction to care for orphans. You see I didn't realize it then, but I needed Gillian way more than she needed me.

She would show me God's heart through her life. God would use Gillian's life to touch so many. He would use the whole experience to open our hearts to His and experience this awe-inspiring, full of worship journey 3 more times. (Who knows maybe there are more surprises in store.) But whatever the journey, I am so grateful to the Creator, who knew when sin entered the world, lots of horribly sad things would follow. He invited His Creation, us, to partner with Him in caring and sharing His love with these children.

Would you be willing to pray this prayer with me for the next 14 days as you seek Him

and inquire about the possibilities and surprises He may have for you?

Am I willing to follow God wherever He may lead

so that I might more fully know Him and make Him known?