In August, my husband Todd and I hiked the Highline trail in Glacier National Park. As the name of the trail implies, the path cut along the side of a mountain and was so narrow near the beginning that a thick wire cable drilled into the rock served as a handrail, lest a misstep cause a trip and tumble over the edge.

Past the narrow path, the grade steepened. I wondered if we’d reach our destination. Though our lungs and legs ached, step-by-step, we made it.  Viewing the contour line of far-off mountains, I thought about how far our family has come in 24 years.

In 1997 and 1999, we adopted our three kids (six, four and nineteen months) from an orphanage on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russia. Our hopes were high. So was our naiveté.

Todd and I didn’t know then that all three of our kids had numerous invisible disabilities that would affect all our lives significantly and permanently.

To be honest, my goal for years was simply surviving. But by the grace of God and many loving, generous friends and professionals, we’ve made it this far. Last year, Todd and I became empty nesters.

Yesterday, Anna turned 30. She lives ten minutes from us in a cozy apartment by a creek with a resident manager on site 24/7 to provide for her needs. During the week, she packages nuts and bolts in a sheltered workshop/factory for people with disabilities. Her smile brings joy to all she meets.

Zach (28) and Nick (23) live semi-independently and function fine with helpers who provide supportive scaffolding with finances, problem-solving, judgement, and planning. They both work hard and are happy with their factory jobs.

I look back on our child-raising years and see they were like our mountain climb in Glacier. Both were steep and grueling at times. Both caused ache. But God was with us, step-be-step. Sometimes when one must slow because of a narrow and difficult path, one comes to know God more intimately. That’s what happened to me. I needed something/someone stronger than myself to reach my destination and my strength came from God through prayer and His word. Three verses helped anchor me to hope and still do. Maybe these will help anchor you too.

I’m over at Jolene Philo’s Different Dream blog today. Please join me there to finish reading.