adoption · Enjoying The Journey · Holidays

Christmas Recap 2022

comehomeforcomfort

Christmas 2022 was our first as a family of five! God answered our prayer with YES and enabled our kiddos to move into our home a few days before Christmas. Unfortunately I can’t share photos of our children, but I’ll do my best to give you a peek into the weekend.

3 new Christmas mugs for 3 new family members.

Festive food appreciated and enjoyed by sweet kiddos.

An introduction to the “essential Greenville Christmas,” walking through all the festive places downtown.

Two tired, grateful, overwhelmed parents who are finding new things to love and appreciate about their God and each other every day.

The first plate of cookies for Santa and a note reassuring little ones that Santa did not come in the house.

Christmas morning with breakfast, gifts from Santa, and lots of trash bags.

Christmas dinner for five, complete with something everyone will enjoy.

The chance to worship Jesus together – the One who left the glory of Heaven to do whatever it took to save His people from their sin.

Our Christmas wasn’t perfect (I’m sure yours wasn’t either). For all of us, there were moments of joy, there were moments of tears. There were feelings of uncertainty, overwhelm, security, love, and HOPE.

Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people! And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples praise him! And again, Isaiah says, The root of Jesse will appear, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; the Gentiles will hope in him. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:10-13)

I know that many of you were praying for us this weekend. Thank you so much – please keep praying! I’ll be back with an adoption update and an end of the year recap later this week. ❤

Previous Christmas Recaps: 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 /  2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013

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24 thoughts on “Christmas Recap 2022”

  2. What a sweet celebration, Whitney! I’m so happy for your family and, yes, continued prayers for you all! May 2023 bring more good tidings for all of you.

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  3. Celebrating with you!! I’m so touched by the pizza and cut up food at Christmas dinner. 🥲 Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a joyous new year!

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  4. Whitney and Paul, this is outstanding! You did EVERYTHING. just. right. You met your little ones right where they are and gave them security by finding any little piece of consistency you could possibly provide to make their transition into your home as smooth and comforting as possible. How harsh it would be to strip them of everything they’ve known when their little hearts and minds are already going through so much change. That photo of pizza at Christmas dinner is such a sweet display of how well you’re prioritizing THEM and their fragile hearts. The Santa cookie plate note is so awesome! Great job you two!! ❤️ Merry Christmas!🎄

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  5. This is so amazing, Whitney. Exciting to read! It’s easy to see that God is giving you wisdom moment by moment. It’s hard, I’m sure — probably the hardest thing you and Paul have ever done — but what a blessing it will be (and already is) to all of you. The great thing about doing things that are too hard for us is that we lean hard on God for His help.

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  6. Blessings Whitney and Paul! What a special Christmas for your family of five! ….you will be needing a leaf in that dinner table soon! May you each cherish every precious moment as your lives are built thru God’s Grace together.❤️

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    1. Dear Stephanie,
      As a foster parent of almost 23 years and an adoptive parent of 2 for 13 and 19 yrs, we have encountered many difficult decisions and challenging situations. We have 2 birth children whom we have raised as well. I can tell you from experience that they were very different journeys. When children enter foster care they have endured circumstances and life challenges, including abuse, abandonment, neglect and trauma. All of these horrible experiences have a life long impact. These children come to us after having lived in previous homes from different cultures and with many different traditions. Our job as new parents is to offer stability with as little disruption as possible. Over time we introduce new traditions and teach new ways as the children are able to bear. The children may have had the Santa tradition. Trust is built over time. These children have had no say in their life situations to date. Their little hearts are bruised and broken. They need healing.
      The other thing to consider is that while I chose not to do Santa, there are many Christians who do.Each of us is accountable to God. At such a thankful, happy time for Paul and Whitney and their children of a few days, let’s choose grace and mercy, and honour them for the commitment they’ve made to God and their “precious to Jesus” new family. They need our prayers and support for their journey, and prayers for strength, wisdom to teach them about the One who loves them enough to come to earth to die for them.
      God bless you Stephanie, as you seek to do His will.

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    2. Stephanie, As one who has fostered eight and adopted six of those, we have to realize that those children, no matter what their story, have suffered trauma. A new family should not just “wipe their slate clean” like an Etch-a-Sketch, erasing everything they grew up with. The new family needs to honor what traditions they grew up with. There will be plenty of time for Whitney and Paul to teach these children the truth about Santa, and I’m sure they have already incorporated the birth story of Christ with these precious souls whom God has entrusted to their care. I think it was wonderful how Whitney also included pizza into their meal, making sure there was something everyone could enjoy.

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  12. How sweet to see your Christmas, full of new people the Lord has added to your family. I know it wasn’t perfection, but it’s obvious that you did so much to add the comfort of home and Christ into the messy things that touch every life. You’re doing a great job, and yes, I’m praying continually for all FIVE of you! 💕

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