AMBER

In the spring of ’97, Amber barely 16, began coming to church with a family she had met through school. She never missed a service, youth activity or church function. Freckles splashed across her nose with her long brown hair usually pulled up in a pony tail. She was quite likeable with the young and old. She had flashing brown eyes, a quick smile and a spirit that said, ‘Never give up.’ Her usual attire was worn and faded jeans, tee-shirts and tennis shoes. She was quick to learn and happy to help. In her eyes, if you looked deep enough was a longing for something.

Amber became close to the girls, Rachel 14 and Rebekah 11. I had sensed the longing in Amber's heart even before she was aware of it. Her desire for something different began to whisper to me, it seemed to reach out to me and touch me. As a human I wanted to distance myself from this yearning. As a child of God’s I wanted to go where He led. In my heart I longed to fill her longing of love, safety and acceptance, but my head kept screaming, “I don’t want to go to ‘Nineveh!’” I, like Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. But I also did not want to be swallowed by a big fish. I would go to Nineveh! A week or so later Rachel and Rebekah begged to have Amber spend the night. In my heart I knew that if she spent the night, she would be with us always. In ’98 we made it legal and adopted Amber.

There were tough times and there were blessed times. We all learned to grow close and accept the other’s shortcomings. There were times I thought ‘What have we done?’ And then God would ever so gently show us the blessings.

Amber is as much a child of ours as the other three. I believe the word ‘adopted’ is a matter of the mind and love is a matter of the heart. She has grown into a beautiful, God loving woman that any parent would be proud to call daughter. She and her husband are currently expecting their 1st baby; our 2nd grandbaby.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."