This is sweet EmmaLeigh.
At the end of my treatments in June, I handed out my A Place for Sam books like candy thanking each person for their ‘piece of the puzzle.’
I received a note back from one of the people I gifted it to saying that he and his wife were in the process of adopting and Sam’s book came at a perfect time. He also shared:
“I wanted to let you know I bought 5 more of your A Place for Sam books and gifted them to the Judge, social workers and foster mom that all worked so hard for our child and were there to see him adopted. Their job is to find puzzle pieces for so many children and I wanted to let them know how thankful I was that we found ours with our child who we adopted last November.
Lastly, at such a young age, I was amazed how our child understood the book. He often tells us how he loves us and will never leave us because he wouldn’t fit in any other home. “You are my puzzle piece” is what he says to us.”
When I read these words tears were flowing and I had chills all over for hours... I have said it before and I’ll say it again, if I needed to walk with cancer so one heart could be infused with hope in some way, it was worth the walk through it. To know there is a child who heard Sam’s message and believes in his heart that he has found his place in the world with his new parents just brings me so much joy my heart could burst.
I had never looked at Sam’s message through this lens and I am so grateful for this perspective. Yet with it, now it has me thinking about how many children are out there who are in foster care or in orphanages who feel like this boy did, and Sam, wondering if they’ll ever find their place in a family puzzle.
His story now has inspired me to take action and help a child find their place in the world in their forever home. We are not planning to adopt but I do have a dear friend who is in the process of adopting. The day after I received this note, she happened to share that they are raising money to bring their daughter, Emmaleigh (pictured) home from India.
I share this with you in case any of you too are inspired to take action and help a child be connected with their family.
I invite you to join me to...
Pause. Breathe. Pray.
There are many ways we can do help a child. We can send our prayers their way. We can give our time to volunteer. We can give our energy and look into fostering or adopting a child. Or we can help someone financially bring a child home.
For me, what I can do now is contribute financially. And if you are interested in coming beside me to help my friend Anna to help bring Emmaleigh home, here is the link to help.
If everyone of us who receives this note donated only $5, we would raise $10,000 of their goal of $10,000. Wouldn't that be incredible to a part of bringing Emmaleigh home together?
There is absolutely no pressure but this boy’s story grabbed my heart and I wanted to offer a plan of action in case any of you were moved to action too. Also, Anna has offered to talk with any of you who may be interested in adopting. You can connect with her HERE
Thank you for doing whatever you can do friends, from prayers to a financial contribution, I wholeheartedly appreciate it💕🙏💝 And may we pray for every child out there to find their place in the world with their forever family.
With gratitude and hope,
Shawn
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" - Romans 8:28