Welcome Home

On January 13, over 100 people joined to welcome Nora into the Murray family.

Family, neighbors, coworkers, parents of children from their kids' schools, previous babysitters

and church community all came together to rejoice with the Murray's.

Tiny tots ran around the room throwing balloons as some worked on coloring a banner to say "Welcome Home Nora!"

Cabo Bob's provided free food. Fresh blooms adorned the tables. And photos of Nora's adoption earlier that day played on the screen.

Nora jumped from arms to arms, held by the many so excited to call her a Murray.

As I walked around with the camera, I thought, "if I look around for too long, I will start crying."

I was overwhelmed by the beautiful depiction of love in the auditorium, and to think- this is only the smallest glimpse of what heaven looks like when we welcome a new brother or sister into the family of Christ!

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

-Luke 15:10

This beautiful adoption story doesn't stop there.

Phil and Christal Murray hope to extend the love they have for their children to many others in the city of Austin.

They're launching a preschool!!

Yes, people.

These two are real-life Parenthood superstars.

^ (they're even better than this favorite Parenthood family tbh!)

Petra Preschool aims to show God’s love by providing education, care and support to a diverse population in Austin including foster children, economically disadvantaged children, and their families.

Check out their vision below:

Here's a couple that instead of staying discouraged at the darkness in our city, decided to be ambassadors for these children in need.

Here's what listening to the Lord and moving out of our comfort zones can look like. There are infinite possibilities to what the Lord can do through us when we turn to Him in trials instead of running away.

Friends, I hope that somehow this helps remind you that the Lord can use your afflictions to show you a new calling- to spark positive change around you.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5