Final Chapter

Friends,

I received official word yesterday that our little Anastasia has indeed been adopted by this unknown Ukrainian family. We had expected this for quite some time, so receiving this news was just closure that it is indeed over. Even so, I have to admit to some measure of surprise that the judge presiding over this case would care so little about true justice so as to be able to endorse and approve of this couple's insensitivity. But then I remembered that it's Ukraine (and, indeed, a fallen world), and "justice" is just one of many factors at play.

This has been a really good summer, and a lot of the healing that seemed so impossible a couple of months ago has happened, by the grace of God. It sounds cowardly, but it's been nice to just not think about it - allowing our boys, our busy schedule, and the joys of summer to take precedence. But when I do think about it...well...I just don't understand. I guess there are things in life like that. I don't think I'll ever understand why this opportunity that seemed so beautiful and redemptive and perfect was dangled in front of us and then taken away. I am so thankful for my two sweet boys, but it is impossible to think that our family is complete now, because she was supposed to be with us too. Yet God in his sovereignty allowed this - both the giving of that hope, and the crushing of it. I don't understand. I don't ever hope to. Yet I must bow my head and surrender to His will.

So the story has been told, and this blog is no longer necessary (but if you want to read a bunch of funny, honest, God-honoring adoption stories, check out Ted's book). In fact, I'd like to distance myself from it (the blog) and turn my attention to a new endeavor. I'm publishing a cookbook in November with Gut Check Press called "Saucy Broad: A Culinary Manifesto of Hope." It's a cookbook for people who love to read (and cook). In the meantime, I'm blogging here. So go there...read...get recipes...subscribe...keep in touch...and all of that. Thank you for reading this blog, and I hope you enjoy the next one.

Love,
Kristin