Eight "Teens" is Enough

Julia with Billy's niece

November was National Adoption Awareness month and as our life functions, we are generally a couple of months behind with just about everything in life! I can honestly say, we have been blessed to be the parents of 14 children, 12 of whom joined our family through adoption.

Domestic Adoption: Kenneth (24), Julia (19), Talitha (17)

Talitha with Naomi

Kenneth

Maliya

Phuong

International Adoption


Vietnam: Thào Phuong (23)


China: Maliya (22)

Billy, Steevenson, and Melissa in Haiti prior to adoption

Haiti: Christelle (18) Billy (15) Roseminique (15), Melissa (13), Steevenson (13)

Christelle

Melissa

Billy at Haiti Olympic Stadium

Jordan and Steevenson

Ecuador: Jordan (13)

Embryo Adoption: (Naomi 7).

Naomi

We are also blessed with two biological children Joseph (26) and David (23). Wow......

David translating in mobile clinic

Joseph

But I would not be completely honest if I did not also say that sometimes (maybe even often times), it does not "feel" like such a blessing at all. Many times the thought is: Yikes! What in the world have we done?


I'm not sure that I "fully" thought through the logistics of such a large family and especially a large family with so many children with significant trauma histories. At least three of them will need long-term help throughout their lives due to developmental disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, or other medical or mental health needs. And somehow in the midst of it all, the Lord decided to plop us on the mission field that added complexities to what was already a "unique" family dynamic.

I want to be real with people without exposing too many personal details of our kid's stories. So many families contact me in pain on this journey of adoption. They are suffering through this "blessing" of adoption. I want to speak to that pain and say "me too". I feel the pain. I also do not want to dwell in the pain and problems, but have hope and confidence that God is bigger than all of the pain and suffering within any life.

At this season in our lives, we have Eight Teenagers (seven still in the home with us in Haiti). I feel like singing the theme song from the 70's TV show Eight is Enough. It feels at times like it is more than enough. Yes, there are blessings. Tremendous blessings and overall we have amazing kids, but any teenager is a bit of drama- let alone 8 of them. I am thankful that 6 of our kids have been "launched" into the world and seem to be doing well overall. It's not that they are gone though. We still have college details and finances and assistance in management of so many elements involved with transitioning young adults from life in Haiti to life back in the USA or elsewhere.

Teen Ministry: Maliya, David, Linda, Phuong

I also want to be honest and say, we are tired. Sometimes people have said to me, Linda....you guys have done enough. Just come home now (meaning the States). You've done your part. You've served and you've helped. Your life is so challenging. Come back to the USA where it is easier. Hmm....Is it?

Yes, Haiti is HARD. It's pretty brutal to be quite honest and the stuff we do here is not some walk in the park. But....living is not easy anywhere. Being a parent to teenagers anywhere is not easy. Being a parent to young adults is also not easy. Being a parent in general is not the easiest thing in the world.

I do believe that many of our teens are at least experiencing life with a focus not so much on themselves. They are able to serve alongside us and give back to others. Do they always love it- ummmm.....Nope. Are they good and mad sometimes about how they think they maybe got the short end of the stick? Umm....yes, we've experienced some of that. Do they say "Thank you mom" or "Thank you Dad" for taking us in and providing for us and giving us an opportunity in life? Umm....I'm not really holding much hope for that one to be honest. BUT they have started to consistently say thank you every time we go and do something (probably because I've lost my mind a time or two regarding ungratefulness and they realize if mom's not happy-nobody is happy)!

Some of our kids are overall thankful. Some of our kids do in fact appreciate adoption. Some of our kids are not currently angry about adoption or living on the mission field. Some of them though are angry (at life or the world in general). Some are hurt. Some are in pain and don't exactly allow others (including us) to love them. I guess we're all like that in different ways. There are seasons of pain and seasons of joy, but all is in God's plan.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)

We thank you for coming along side us on this incredible journey. We thank you for loving us in this process. We appreciate the prayers and support! There seems to always be a mountain ahead, but we know that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Please check on the tab above for our updated Christmas Newsletter. We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for 2018!

If you would like to partner with us on this journey, any amount is so greatly appreciated!

FOR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS

1. DONATE ONLINE

https://www.worldoutreach.org/index.php/missionary-support-2
(Select our name from the list and follow the prompts)

2. MAIL CHECKS TO:

World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for Ron & Linda Sheppard #546)

3. BILL PAY - via your online banking

World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
(designate for Ron & Linda Sheppard #546)
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061