:: the Felten family [charlotte family photography]

If you’re a regular reader, you know this story well.

Christina moved to Uganda asking God to “radically change her life”.

And he did.

Within a few months of arriving in Uganda, she met Mikisa Mae and knew they were meant for each other. The process was long and hard, but God was faithful. All the while (unbeknownst to Christina), a pretty amazing man was watching from a distance. When Christina announced Mikisa’s adoption, Troy knew she was the one. They started dating while living on opposite sides of the world. Christina was our roommate at the time and we had so much fun watching her fall in love. She would sneak out onto the front porch most mornings when our courtyard was filled with mist and try to talk quietly so as not to wake the rest of the house. If you know Christina personally, you know that she never managed to talk to the love of her life without waking up at least one of us. I remember grumbling on my way to resettle a fussy baby, but still smiling at the joy drifting in our open windows. This family, knit together across the oceans and delighting in the perfect-ness of God’s plan for them, cannot help but make others smile.

In July, Mikisa’s adoption was complete and in October she watched her mommy marry the man she had already been calling “daddy” for months. And less than a year later, they are expecting little Felten #4! That’s what might happen when you ask God to radically change your life!

This family is the definition of beauty. They say yes to hard things. They bring such glory to Jesus through simply living the lives he has given them. I love me some Feltens.

Mikisa is still working on wrapping her mind around the baby in mommy’s belly. Yesterday a friend asked her if there was a baby coming to their family soon and Mikisa’s response was, “We’re waiting!“

Mikisa is extremely gifted musically and her rhythm is excellent, so it’s no wonder she turns everything into a song or a dance. I had to include a little series of her showing off her beautiful African moves. She is so full of joy.

Christina writes about their lives as an adoptive family living with significant special needs over at Welcome Blessings. Her perspective is not only an encouragement to families who have adopted or who are raising children with special needs. Her words point you to Jesus as a rich supply of whatever you may need to flourish where he has placed you today. I would highly recommend adding her blog to your regular list of must-reads.