32 America World Families Reunite in Florida
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a Florida girl for a reason. And anyone who knows Florida, knows that 40 degree weather is rather bizarre for us in November. However, on November 6th, 32 AWAA Florida families joined together to celebrate their wonderful journeys of adoption at Dr. P. Phillips Park in Orlando, Florida. In total, 92 individuals came out on this chilly day to enjoy a time of fellowship with one another through stories and of course … food!
We each came that day, some strangers, but ending as friends. We came knowing that we all had something in common and rejoiced with each other through the giggles of little girls and the energy of little boys. We are truly thankful for this opportunity and blessed beyond belief at how awesome our gracious heavenly Father really is. And sometimes, it takes a reminder of how real those blessings are.
Throughout the last two and a half years, I have been truly blessed to come and know the families who have opened their hearts and their homes to orphans in need. Saturday was a very emotional day for me as I watched family after family join us under the pavilion to celebrate their adoptions. As I looked around at all of the beautiful, happy children, I was reminded of my own Gotcha Day when I was united with each of my adoptive children. I was once asked if AWAA is a job or a ministry to me. And there are still some who know me and don’t understand, but for this Florida girl in the 40 degree weather … it was a true representation of the ministry that I am proud to be a part of.
One of the highlights of the day was when one of our associate families pulled me aside with tears in her eyes after just meeting a family who attended her very first seminar several years ago … and now here they meet again, except this time the family is “plus one†after returning home with their child. It is a true testament that it only takes one to share the message to another and then the word just spreads like a wildfire. I was reminded how truly blessed we all are that God has chosen us through his plan of adoption and has designed just that perfect moment, perfect time, and perfect story for each of us to continue to share for years to come.
A special thank you to Hank and Cheryl Miller, AWAA Orlando, Florida Associates, for their tireless efforts and help to make this the start of a wonderful and uplifting annual event.
-Amy Kryszan, Florida Director of Social Services