Adoption Story Part Three: A Christmas Gift From God

December 26th, 2000

My biological mother was in another argument with my father. This argument was more intense than any of the other arguments. A lot more violent and yelling. Glasses were thrown shattering into tiny pieces all across the living room. Books. Furniture. You name it, it was thrown in the air or ripped into pieces.

Cops were called. . . again. Shocker. I know.

However, this time was different.

Typically the cops show up and try to de-escalate the situation by separating them, talking to them individually, and then forcing one of them to leave.

Not this time.

The cops came with a purpose. As soon as they arrived the cop escorted me out of the house. My biological mother became "bat crazy". . . in other words, uncontrollable. She realized the consequence of the situation. She became more violent screaming "you can't take her away". . . so, the cops decided to pepper spray her and put her in the back of the cop car.

I stood at the window. Tears poured down my cheeks. Four-year-old me. . . not understanding the entirety of the situation, but knew it was something serious.

---

*The same night on the other side of the spectrum*

Vera received a call on December 26th, 2000 the night of Marcello's birthday asking if she would be willing to take a four-year-old girl for 2 weeks until they found foster care placement.

Hesitant she responded . . . "I'm too old to care for a four-year-old. I was wanting a child more like a teenager".

The social worker reassured her, "this is only temporary we just need to find her a home until we can get foster care placement".

"okay".

I arrived late that night. Tears still running down my face.

Shaken, broken, and scared.

I stepped out of the car and Vera asked if she could hug me.

We hugged and she heard a still voice saying "this is your new little girl".

I was officially adopted as a Dinsmore that next year.

God works in mysterious ways. We may not understand them in that moment, but that doesn't mean he isn't at work in our lives.

God is always working in us and through us to make us more like him each day.

God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6)

Miracles and blessings happen ALL the time. We just don't take the time to recognize them because we get caught up in the storm and don't focus on the overwhelming joys, blessings, and treasures that come after.

What do you see in this picture?

Dark clouds. . . no light. . .

When we focus on the storm, the only thing we will see is the storm

Now. . . What do you see?

Blue beautiful skies, fluffy clouds, light

Do you focus on the storm in hard times or do you focus on the outnumbered joys, blessings, and treasures after the storm?

~ You Choose ~

Picture: December 27th, 2000