Reflections & Lessons Learned

The last 6 years has been the most action packed & exciting times for me and Brandi. The first 7 years of our marriage had been relatively easy and uneventful. But what we've been through with trying to start a family all the way to finally getting Jada has had some serious impact on our family. There have been alot of times where our faith has been tested, our marriage was tested and our relationships were tested. We have had the opportunity to really discover what we are made of, because you really never know what you're made of until adversity comes along.

I remember when we first started attending HPC and rededicated our lives to Christ. At that time, there seemed to be alot of people giving testimonies about the struggles they've been through and how God helped them through it. Brandi and I talked about how up to that point, we've had it pretty easy. We both had good jobs, we hadn't gone through any real struggles, financially or relationally. We didn't really know if that was good or bad. Well, little did we know what was ahead for us.

Looking back on it, we really have been blessed and it has all really turned out for the better. The key to the past 7 years have been our relationships. So, many people have stepped up for us. Throughout all this, our friends & family has been rock solid, constantly supporting us and encouraging us. They've always known when to speak up and sometimes, more importantly, when to shut up. I guess back off would be a better word, but when you want your space, you want people to shut up, not back off. Well, maybe both.

We truly cannot imagine going throught he last 7 years without our church family at HPC. First of all, they have provided an atmosphere for us to grow spiritually. Both by teaching the Word of God and by allowing us to use our gifts and callings to minister to other people. The great thing about serving others is that in the middle of it, we've always been able to recieve as much or more than we give. Some of our greatest friends and mentors are those we started out serving others with. Without the mentoring, support, encouragement and prayers that has come from our family at HPC, its pretty scary to imagine some of the roads we could have traveled. It would hav been very easy to get off track with God and miss all the great things He had for us along this journey.

Then, there is the giving. Along with all the spiritual and emotional support, we have realized how much our friends and family has given to us. It came in many forms. They have unselfishly given from their time, treasure and talents and it is really appreciated. It's so good to have such a great support system to fall back on. When we were at our lowest, someone, somewhere would stand in the gap for us and provide what we needed.

While Brandi works at the church, my workplace, Shell Chemical in Geismar has also stepped up. Many people at work were there for us in many ways. Encouraging and supporting us. Several guys I work with stepped up and worked some days for me while I was in China. My supervisors let me know they would do whatever it took to make sure I had nothing to worry about as far as me getting time off. We have turned in paperwork for the Adoption Reimbursement program that Shell has, where we could get reimbursed up to $3,000.

We are so glad to have Jada part of the family now. It brings us just as much joy to see how everyone is celebrating with us. Everyone is just as excited for us. It really lifts us up as a family to know what quality people, friends and family we have around us. We lack nothing. Our cups really are overflowing.

Thanks so much to everyone. From the big things to the little things. You are all appreciated.

The Lamberts: Jada, Brandi & Gered