Jill explained to me that she suspected something might be wrong toward the end of her pregnancy; she simply didn't gain any additional weight. After little Maddie was born, the McKay's found themselves going through a medical continuum of unanswered questions in the search to find the answer. Finally, after being refered to the M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento, they sat before a doctor that gave them their answer: Maddie had Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that includes a variety of health problems, developmental delays and difficulties in learning and is currently estimated to effect 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. And with that news came the realization that the dreams that Jill and David had for their precious little girl would have to change. In fact, David and Jill's own dreams would have to change as well.

When I first met Maddie a couple of weeks ago I was captivated by her smile. She had no inhibitions, just a completely trusting and loving little spirit that welcomed me to come into her world of endless adventures and fun. That sweet innocent trust is actually very typical of someone who has Williams Syndrome and is filled with its own challenges both for Maddie and her parents.

I came away from my short time with the McKay family touched beyond words by their journey. And I can't help feeling that maybe Maddie and all the others who have Williams Syndrome have a few lessons to teach us. For Maddie, it seems that seeing the beauty in this world and especially in people is easy. An important point that I believe may be all too easy for some of us to FORGET in the difficulties of this life.

McKay family, thank you so much for allowing me to share a few hours with your precious family, and for sharing your story. Your strength, your faith and your love inspire me. Enjoy your photos and a new special video that I have created just for you all!

Click here to see the photos...

Most couples will never have to dive into the emotional waters of what is commonly called infertility. However, for what is estimated to be nearly 10% of the American population it is indeed their reality. Infertility can be a heart wrenching, expensive and emotional journey into an almost surreal experience of doctors, medications, and various procedures, all with one dream in mind: a baby.

Sarah and Barrett know first hand about the challenges that infertility brings. After trying to conceive on their own with no success, they finally turned to the medical world for help. Eventually Sarah was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a problem that is estimated to plague 1 out of every 40 women. Undeterred by the difficultly that lay ahead, Sarah and Barrett began their journey into the world of infertility treatment, which for Sarah meant regular shots, daily medication, and medical supervision to help increase their chances to conceive. In just the first round of treatment Sarah found herself pregnant with their first son, whom they named Nate. When Sarah and Barrett decided it was time to try for baby #2, the process was not quite as simple; it took a couple of rounds of treatment before they were able to get pregnant with their second son, Zack. Then when it was time to try for one last child, Sarah would find it the most challenging experience yet. After months of treatment, more powerful medications, and the near destruction of her ovaries, they finally conceived their son Jaden. And then, with their hands full of three very lively young boys, Sarah and Barrett thought their little family was complete.

In February of this year my heart leapt with joy and tears filled my eyes when I saw Sarah's status on Facebook:

Nate: $2,000; Zack: $7,000; Jaden: $10,000..... Getting pregnant 100% naturally, unexpectedly, for FREE?! PRICELESS!!!! Yup, we are expecting #4!! Due Sept. 10th... 11 weeks today...here is our littlest Plants! So beautiful! :) God still does miracles!

Sarah summed it up beautifully. God obviously had a better plan. And arriving at Sarah and Barrett's house and resting my eyes on little Timothy for the very first time was indeed a precious gift. So sweet and snuggly, baby Timothy is indeed a reminder that nothing is impossible for God.

Barrett and Sarah, thank you so much for allowing me to come into your home and share your story. You have such a beautiful family, full of amazing energy and wonderfully handsome kiddos. Enjoy your pictures!

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I can still remember the day she first shared her dream with me.

Crystal had been serving and attending school in the inner city of San Francisco while I was on the other side of the country working through my college degree. It was hard to be away from my best friend, but I took comfort that we were at least in the same country and, thanks to a then recent phenomenon called the internet and email, we stayed easily connected. There was also the fact that I was sure to see her at least every Christmas and summer break. I found this difficult, but doable. I took some sort of solace in the fact that we were only separated by a couple thousand miles, but somewhere deep inside of me I knew it would not be like that forever.

In 2001, she flew out to be at my side as the maid of honor in my wedding. I remember how many conversations and emails we had over the next couple of years, desperately seeking to understand the plans God had for our lives; praying and encouraging each other, sometimes crying, but always seeing each other through everything regardless of the distance.

Then it came, the blow I feared—that we would end up in very different parts of the world. A lump grew in my throat as my dear friend shared her impassioned vision with me of moving to Indonesia to love the people there, to work and to serve in whatever ways God would direct her. My mind quickly sorted through all the possible scenarios, and much to my dismay I tried to dissuade her at first. I knew that as a small child she was a missionary kid in Indonesia for several years, and the love of that country burned with a passion in her. I secretly hoped that this was just a whim of fancy, a fleeting desire to simply visit or something—anything that would not have us spend years apart.

In 2003, after having all of the plans and details for her departure fall into place, my best friend left for Indonesia. Indonesia, land of limited internet access, dirt roads, and gourd wearing tribal natives, now was more than a name I read in the "made by" tags on much of our country's clothing. It was a land that had my very best friend. As the years ticked by and I continued to hear more and more of the work Crystal was doing there, I knew how very selfish I had been. Crystal was receiving opportunities to love and serve in ways that most will never experience, and she never felt she gave up a single thing to do it.

In 2007, I got the phone call from her saying she had found "the one"—a small, lovable Indonesian man named Agustri that I was determined to believe could never be good enough for my dear Crystal. In 2008, Agustri left everything he had ever known to come here to marry his lovely bride. It was my turn to be at her side, to be her matron of honor. I cried like a baby (I admit it) as I watched one of her most precious dreams coming true. She was marrying the man of her dreams. As he knelt down to wash her feet in an act of both humility and service, I was profoundly moved. He was good enough. He was perfect for her. Here were two people willing to leave their native lands—everything they have ever known—to follow their faith in God wherever it led them.

Almost exactly a year later, precious little Ovidah was born, a beautiful marriage of two wonderfully different cultures who has her own very distinct little personality. It has been my personal honor to get to spend the last two years watching Crystal and Agustri's lives unfold while they have been here in the United States. They have faced cultural problems, language barriers, financial strains, and various other uncertainties at every turn; and yet they press on. All too soon, in my heart's opinion, they will be heading back to Indonesia to serve and love the people of Indonesia again. Why? They say it is to share the love of God, to serve without counting the cost, to give all of themselves to help the Indonesian people.

They inspire me. Their love changes me.

Crystal and Agustri, thank you!

If you would like to know more about Crystal and Agustri's ministry or would like to help support them, you can contact them at innercitycrystal@hotmail.com.

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If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, then it is probably pretty obvious how very precious adoption is to our family; after all, that is how we were blessed with 4 precious daughters! Having been through the process ourselves, we know first hand what an arduous and taxing journey it can be on even the most amazing of families. It takes a special family to commit to the journey, and the emotional roller coaster ride that accompanies the adoption process. And, in my humble opinion, adopting through the foster care system may just be the most challenging type of adoption. So, the first family chosen for this project—one I would like to honor—has battled through and overcome that very journey!

Last week I had the incredible privilege to meet and photograph this beautiful family—I will call them the "H" family. Not long after getting married, Michael and Kristi chose to add to their family through adoption. Michael already had two sons whom Kristi adored, and they couldn't wait to have a little girl. Due to medical reasons, Michael and Kristi thought adoption would be their best choice to have the little girl of their dreams. As with most couples, they had no idea where to start and were watching different opportunities close to them because of their high costs. Then a dear friend told them of a special foster-adopt program called Options for Recovery, which catered to babies. Every door began to fly open as they began their journey. They became licensed foster parents in January of 2006. Just a few months later, a darling 3.5 month old baby girl named Brianne was placed with them.

Over the next year and a half they would wait, pray, go to court appearances, and walk through the reunification/visitation roller coaster to see what would become of the little girl they fell immediately in love with. When I asked what brought them through such a challenging process while keeping them close as a family, they explained it was their faith that God had a plan. Finally, while on a trip to Disneyland, they got the phone call with the wonderful news that Brianne was indeed going to be theirs. In October of 2007, Brianne's adoption was finalized.

As I got to watch this family interact, the thing that most impressed me was how much they all truly enjoy each other. Brianne is doted on not only by her parents but also by her two big brothers, Zane and Andrew. I would have to agree with the H family: God did have a plan. He put together a beautiful family that totally digs each other. Love that!

Michael and Kristi, thank you so much for allowing me into your family's life for a bit; it was a beautiful thing to behold. Enjoy your pictures!

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