Lessons From My Friends: Ministry & Adoption

This friend is truly a joy to my heart.  I think what makes her so special is our hearts seem to beat in rhythm. This friend is Carrie Badertscher.

I just love her so much.  Every time we get together I walk away more encouraged.  I love her heart.  She loves Jesus without reservations and loves his children with that same passion.

Very soon after we adopted Katylynn, Carrie and her husband Dave began fostering children.  Their first child was Stella (pictured at left).  They fought a VERY long battle with the courts to adopt her.  But the courts showed favor on them and Stella is forever their child!  But lets face it, we all know God's ultimate plan was to place Stella with Dave and Carrie!

Carrie loves her little gal so much.  It was countless times spent with Carrie observing her interact with Stella that I knew I could handle God's calling on my life to adopt from Uganda.  Our hearts beat the same when it comes to James 1:27 (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.)  We take very seriously the call to look after orphans.  But the thing is Stella, Katylynn & Moses are no longer "orphans". They are our families and no longer defined by that term.

The other area where our hearts beat in rhythm is in ministry.  Carrie has been the Prairie Camp director for many years now.  But her role goes way beyond that!  Her heart is to see the next generation rise up and claim Jesus as their own and then go out and tell the world.  She serves on multiple teams to help see that happen.  I just love spending time with her and talking about ministry and watching her heart flesh out!

Carrie and Dave are about to step out on a new adventure that almost ties their two world together.  I am very excited about the role they will play in the Keller Park neighborhood.  You can read all about their adventure here.

Thanks Carrie for the joy I find in you.  The joy of ministry and the joy of adoption and so much more!

oh and one more thing...I think she is one of the most beautiful women I know!