About the Author

Dorina is an author, speaker, teacher, foodie, and trail runner. She helps people chase God's glory down unexpected trails and flourish in their callings. Her most recent books are Breathing Through Grief and Chasing God's Glory. Dorina and her hubby Shawn are raising three courageous daughters in Central California.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Amen!!!

    This is beautiful on so many levels, I can’t stop smiling 🙂 🙂 🙂

    140 cousins – wow wow wow 🙂 That’s amazing!! I look forward to having a reunion like this with my loved ones as well. Beautiful!! Blessings to you all!

    And thank you so much for sharing your life story and journey with us. It is always so heartwarming to read your family updates 🙂 Big hugs and blessings to you, Shawn and your precious daughters!

    Finally, this made me smile so much: “[Ruth is] great-times-forty-grandma to God’s own son Jesus, our ultimate redeemer relative.” That is so beautiful, I love how specific it is!

    Overall, this post is a wonderful reminder of God’s grace, mercy and redemptive work on us all, through all of our ups and downs. Praise God!

  2. My father’s mother came with her family from Italy. My Father’s dad signed in at Elis Island from Wales. And yes, I get the Big Fat Greek Wedding reference! I love hearing the stories. It’s like I can hold them in my heart when I hear about them.

    I love the women of God in the Bible too. They are my spiritual ancestors. And their stories encourage me.

    Thank you for sharing and stirring sweet thoughts of family, both spiritual and physical.

  3. Dorina thank you for sharing this. Alot of what you said I can relate to my Family on both my Dad’s side of the family and my latest Mum’s side of the family. As some have remarried because their Husband have die due cancer. Some devorced. Some have kids and no man in their lives. Some living together and not married and have kids. Others just got a man to get a child. But not living together. So we are kind of mixed up family and the story goes on. But none of them saved. I along with my Husband are the only ones saved in my Family. I pray for them all. But your so right Dornia God family it a bit like our mixed up family. As we all come from all different back rounds when we get saved and different lives. We could be devorced or because our first Husband died for what ever reason re married again. We find when we find God and come to know him and ask him to be our saviour we find. Everyone has different story or how they go saved. We all notice we all come from different back rounds. But the good thing is we got saved are all part of God’s big wonderful Family. He expects us and loves us no matter what. Welcomes us into to bring part of his family. No matter what back round we come from. God loves us no matter what he is so glad we go saved. Made God Father of our lives. All the other Children like me and you are all our Brothers and Sister’s in the Lord that are saved. We through time get to love them and pray for them. Thank God for this wonderful family he has made us part of. That is something wonderful to know. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little. In my prayers. Xx

  4. As I read about your family tree I chuckled as I remembered my daughter doing ours in 3rd grade. Everyone else had a piece of construction paper and she had to use a poster board and that’s just first cousins. Our family tree is big but the love of God and our faith keeps us together.

  5. Dorina,
    I love, love, loved this post, I think because I love the story of adoption. And what a joy to hear about your kids. May that be a true blessing and a celebration for all involved.

  6. Dorina,

    You are blessed to have a large family that stays connected. My biological family is spread out over countries, & states. God has blessed me with great church family. I have friends that I will treasure always. The Bible is filled with stories of twisted family lines. People you would never guess are in the lineage of Jesus. Rahab, Ruth & the woman at the well are three women who are grafted into the Christian family tree. God invites everyone into His family tree. We must believe in Him, His life & Resurrection. Congratulations to you & your family on the adoption of your girls. Happy for you all!!

    Blessings 🙂