When my second daughter was born with Down syndrome, she challenged what I viewed as perfect, worthy, important, and valuable in life. I had received her as a broken baby, only to quickly recognize that I was the broken one. The treasures I have discovered along the way are not found in strength, performance, eloquence, character or confidence. They are found in brokenness, where beauty is found unexpectedly as a result of God’s love and compassion transforming my life.
I’m a writer and speaker. I share openly and honestly about finding beauty in brokenness, parenting, special needs, adoption, and Faith. You can find me at ellenstumbo.com, I also hang around facebook andtwitter.
However, my most important roles are within my family. I am a wife to Andy and I like my husband… a lot. He is a real man of integrity and I respect and admire him greatly. He is a pastor, but before you think of me as “the pastor’s wife” please know that I am a broken person with much need of grace. I don’t play the piano, and don’t sing. Instead, I teach Zumba!
We have 3 girls. Ellie, our oldest, is a talented little artist and one of the most accepting and compassionate human beings I know. Nichole is our youngest, she has Down syndrome, and she changed my life and heart forever. Then there is Nina, our middle child, who joined our family through international adoption. She has cerebral palsy. I never thought I would end up being the mom of a child with special needs, let alone two of them! Nevertheless, now special needs defines our family and our church. Most days I love it!
[...] Ellen Stumbo [...]