Friendship Circle - Sharing Our Journey!

If you would have asked me several years ago if I would have seen myself sharing my story...our infertility and adoption journeys...with others, I would have probably laughed and dismissed the possibility. 

What would I share about my story?  Who cares about what I went through?

But I'm discovering that we ALL have a story to share with others.  And I'm slowly learning how to share our story - not because my journey is more special but because God has called me to share it.  

Our story isn't really different from others that have adopted.  EACH and EVERY adoption story holds its own special and beautiful details, including ours.  But in the last two years, we've been asked to begin sharing our journey with others.  To my faithful blog readers, you've read some of the stories of our journey.  You've entered into our lives and have begun to understand what brought our family together.  We've also shared our story to youth groups, during Chick-fil-A's "Come & Play" times, and to child development classes at a local high school.  

And this coming week, I will again share our story to a group of ladies at "Friendship Circle" at Weaverland Mennonite Church.  {Prayers appreciated!}

At times, I've felt silly sharing our journey.  My story doesn't make my journey better than another's.  My story isn't more amazing, more wild, more adventurous, or more awesome than the stories of many others who have walked down these paths, too.  But God has opened these doors, time and time again, for us to share about our adoption, and each time, we've felt led to accept the offer to speak.  

As we share (and I prepare to share on Tuesday morning), it's NOT about ME.  It's about GOD.  It's about how HE's shaped our lives, and the least I can do is give back all of the HONOR and GLORY to HIM as I share.   Because the truth is - He IS amazing. Those of you that know our story know the details and know that, time and time again, we've turned things over to Him, surrendering our wants and our needs for His purpose.  It's not about us.  It's not about what I want or what we want.  It's about allowing Him to live in us and work through us...for HIS PURPOSE.  And it was hard...really, really HARD...to get to that place of surrender, but I can assure you that once we allowed Him to work, He worked in unbelievable ways.  

And our story is not yet finished.  We have no idea what plans the Lord has for us in the future, in HIS perfect plan.  We have no idea if or when we'll be blessed with more children in the Hershey household...and that can feel scary.  The uncertainty can be intimidating.  But one thing I know for sure is that whatever His plans are for me and for our family, I can rest in knowing that He will get me to that point and give me all that I need to accept that new path of my journey.  

Your story is unfinished, too.  But if you allow God into your life, He can do big...and I mean REALLY BIG...things with your life!

If you or anyone you know would like to hear me share on Tuesday morning, you may contact me for details.  I will be nervous.  I will be anxious and a bit scared, too.  But I also know that I want to step outside of my comfort zone, so others can experience the love of Jesus...through the details of my journey...the way that I did when I needed Him most.