Category: Stories of Risk

Living With At-Risk Faith | Michelle Napier

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My friend, Michelle, is writing a beautiful “yes” legacy with her life. Watching her family’s story unfold has been inspiring. I asked Michelle to tell a bit of their journey and I am thrilled to share her words with you. I pray your soul is encouraged as you read of God’s faithfulness to my friend.

What does living with “at-risk” faith look like to you? I’m honored to share our story of what that looks like for our family.

My name is Michelle and I am married to my high school sweetheart (cliche, I know). I feel very blessed to be able to say that we have been married for 15 years. We have six kids: 3 girls and 3 boys.

Our journey to walking with faith started five years ago. We were your typical American family: Craftsman style home, golden lab, and three little girls. We had toys to use on the weekends and lived life very comfortably. Then we read a book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. This book changed our lives. Read More

When Risking Leaves You Robbed and Disturbed

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On January 12, 2010, the nation of Haiti was hit with a powerful 7.0 earthquake that resulted in massive destruction and countless deaths. Upon hearing the news of the devastation and the many people who had lost limbs as a result of the fallen debris, my husband and I felt God asking us to go and serve the wounded using his skills as a Prosthetist and my skills as his team-mate. We kissed our 16-month-old son “goodbye” and left him with grandparents as we headed to Haiti for 11 days. “Mission of Hope,” an incredible ministry just outside of Port-au-Prince, had (just weeks before the earthquake) opened one of the only prosthetic labs in the country in an empty room of their hospital, originally designed as the morgue.  The experience was life changing and played a significant role in our decision to pursue the adoption of a child with limb difference. I recently came across a blog post I wrote shortly after our trip. We returned home from the airport and discovered that, while overseas, our apartment had been robbed and all of my heirloom jewelry, including my wedding rings, had been stolen.  I wrote this post, over six years ago, as a sort of altar to the Lord as I was processing our time in Haiti. It continues to serve as a powerful reminder of God’s heart and faithfulness every time I read it. I hope that it blesses you also. 

Disturbed– May 3rd, 2010

I have sat down at least four times to write about our recent trip to Haiti. Each time I make an attempt, I go blank on what to say. When I try to organize my thoughts I find myself distracted with moments of trial and victory in Haiti, followed by feelings of violation with the home break-in, and ending with the overwhelmed reality of us moving in three weeks. Read More

When Saying “Yes” Takes You To China…

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I am so grateful for the opportunity to share our adoption story on www.ChristenSpratt.com. Please read and share. God is good and life is hard. Reading stories of His faithfulness is good for our souls. 

My adoption dream began around age seven after accidentally finding a picture in one of my mom’s Women’s Health books of a screaming lady with a baby coming out of her “lady parts.” I was traumatized and asked my mom what my options were. Sure I wanted to have kids someday but, dear Lord, not like that. She humored me and, after putting the book on a higher shelf, talked to me about adoption. A seed was planted in my little-girl-heart that day.

Fast forward about 20 years. I’m married to my high school sweet-heart with two young kiddos who entered this world just like that Women’s Health book said they would. My husband had finished school and was working as a Prosthetist, building legs and arms for amputees. We were settling into life nicely.

Continue reading at www.christenspratt.com…

His “Yes” Legacy: Happy Father’s Day, Dad

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Much like that piercing I got my freshman year of college, I probably should have asked my parents permission to write this post before going through with it. Oops.

Also, much like my post on the time I took on my school’s uniform policy, there are a few people who will read this post and want to make it about the “uniform policy” rather then the lessons learned from the risk I took to take it on. Please, please, please, I beg you. Let my words, dedicated to my father on Father’s Day, be about the lessons I’ve learned from my dad and not about your defense of a “policy.” Trust me, you don’t want to go there with me.

Deep breath. Here we go. Read More

My Snow Story: That Time God Made It Snow In Summer

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I am always hesitant to share my snow story. It’s very personal and, other than my journal entry of the event, I have no physical evidence of the miracle. It’s outrageous and unbelievable, actually. But I swear to you, it’s true.

When I was 19, I spent a semester studying abroad in San Cristobal, Guatemala. I had just wrapped up my freshman year and I was hungry for an adventure. I wanted to travel but I didn’t want to just move to another college location out of country, I wanted to really immerse myself in the culture I was visiting. So, in true “Amber” form,  I created my own “study abroad” experience and got it approved by my school. Through the friend of a friend of a family member, I learned about a home in San Cristobal for severely abused and neglected girls. Read More