Sweet Reunion

"Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through the rivers, they will not sweet over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Isiah 43:1-3

Once again another two months have passed since I've posted anything in my little corner of the blogging world. I keep going back and forth between whether I should hang up the reigns of this little blog or not but then there are days when I actually want to share something (like today).

Those of you who have fallen my blog for the last few years, know that early on in my time in China back in March 2012, I fell in love with this precious little Sweetheart.

 

 

I had the honor of giving her an English name, standing in the gap in prayer for her during two surgeries in China, and loving on her until her family was able to fly across the world to bring her home in May 2014. After spending every day for over 2 years with a sweet baby and then letting her go, is one of the hardest things I have ever had to experience. But I knew that she was going to an incredible family and for that I was so thankful.

This precious family not only adopted Sweetheart but adopted me as well, wanting me to continue to be a part of her story. With me moving back to the US, then moving to Tulsa, then getting settled in Tulsa, the time just wasn't right for a visit. But this fall when they contacted me about meeting up with them on their Orlando family vacation the first week of November, I couldn't think of an excuse not too! On November 2nd, I flew to Orlando to spend a precious four days with this sweet girl and her family. It felt so good be reunited once again!







And spending time with her sweet family.

There was lots of swimming and lots of relaxing. This vacation could not have come at a more perfect time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In March 2012 when this precious girl was placed in my arms, I never would have guessed the amazing story He would write. God truly writes the best stories if we will only give Him the pen and allow Him to write it.

What I've Been Up To

Fall is almost here! Although it may not feel like it yet here in Oklahoma (the temps have still been in the low to mid 90's!), but it has been cooling down at night and in the mornings, which has been wonderful! There is something so refreshing about sitting on my porch on a cool morning with coffee in hand, preparing for the day.

 

Once in a while, I need to reflect on all that has happened in the last year. I am continually blown away by all that the Lord has done! It has not been easy but has been so worth it. I am so thankful for the four months I had in New York with my family last summer/fall after moving back to the U.S. Once my job fell into place, the pace of life picked up immensely! That was one thing that the Lord kept laying on my heart last summer and He sure was right!

 

My summer started off on June 19th, when I hopped back on a plane and flew back to the other side of the world for two weeks to co-lead Dillon's family tour. What a blast! If you missed my posts from that trip, you can find them in the archives for June and July. I landed back on U.S. soil on the 4th of July and then hit the ground running, again. Kiah spent a week with me here and then mid July, we flew to NY for me to spend 10 days with my family.

 

I am so thankful that I was able to spend time with my two nephews and meet my new niece!

 

 

Meeting Quinlan Grace for the first time, what a sweetheart! I love where I live but it is hard being so far away from family and watching these sweet kids grow up.

 

Sleeping angel. As much as I love my nephews, so exciting to add another little girl to this family!

 

My Mom, Kiah, and I thought we'd give my sister-in-law, a little beak, and took my nephews to the local park to run off some energy.

I love this picture of Landon. Once he was up on the monkey bars, he wasn't quite so sure!

 

Who knew that it would be so hard to get one good picture with these two silly boys. See the outtakes below...

 

 

 

Back to Oklahoma the end of July and right back into the swing of things at work. My newest role is Program Director of our Open Options program. This is a program that is unique to Dillon and I absolutely love it! Many families may have a country in mind when they start the adoption process, but others know that they want to adopt, just don't know where from! This program is a way for them to start the paperwork process, but not make a decision right away. There are a few ways that a family can decide on a country.

 

a) They can make a choice on their own and officially switch.

 

b) They can wait until we receive referrals and if we have a child that would be a good match for them, then they would switch.

 

I only have about 9 families in the program right now, but hoping that it will grow in the coming months. Here is a short informational video we filmed for our website. I can't say that I am too thrilled watching myself, but it does tell you more about the program.

Happy Saturday!

{Wordless Wednesday} Referral Day

Different Yet the Same

What an up and down roller coaster ride this journey has been. I have been in Tulsa almost 2 months now. 

How in the world did THAT happen? It has been good and it has been bad, but as I tell people, I have more good days than bad and for that, I am thankful.

Moving to a new city, new state, new job, new apartment, new Church, etc. has been hard.
A lot harder than I thought it was going to be. 

But again, each day is getting better and better.
It sure helps when the temperature was 79 on Wednesday! That didn't last long though since it's currently 34. 

After all, it is only January. If it were 80 every day now, I don't want to know how August will be like.

My job.

My job is the whole reason why I moved here. The whole reason why I left my family, friends, Church, everything that was comfortable to me.

A long time ago, the Lord laid orphans on my heart and that passion has never left.

For a few years I lived in China, caring for some of the most precious children there are. Children who were unable to stay with their birth families for whatever reason. I had the blessing of loving on them each and every day.
Praying for them, caring for them, holding them, singing and reading scripture of them.
And I cherish all those hours I spent with them for those 2 1/2 years.
They changed me and I will never be the same because of them.

And now, I sit at a desk.
Helping families complete their paperwork so that they can bring their sweet kiddos home.
No, I'm not holding precious children each day but I am helping to place them into families.
When the paperwork gets old and the days are long, I am reminded of those children on the other side of the world, who need families.

These are two very different things, or are they?
They are different, but yet they are the same.
I was able to love on the children who are waiting.
And now I get to encourage the families who are waiting.
Both jobs have changed me and stretched me.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.

"God sets the lonely in families."
Psalm 68:6

{Adoption Awareness Month} ADOPT

Today is the last day of November and today I am talking about adoption. I can't tell you how much my family has been impacted by the miracle of adoption and what a blessing it has been to us. You have heard me talk about it before and so I won't go into details again but friends, adoption is so amazing. Adoption was never God's plan. In order for adoption to take place, there has to be abandonment first and that involves heartbreak and sadness. But God makes beauty from the ashes and He takes something as painful as abandonment and turns it into something good through adoption. Adoption isn't easy. It isn't a perfect little picture and how these children will live "happily ever after." No, it involves a lot of pain and work but it is so, so worth it.

Are you interested in adoption? I'd love to hear from you and answer any questions that you have! Email me! annelifjohnson@gmail.com

Here are some great adoption agencies:

America World Adoption Association

Bethany Christian Services

Dillon International

Holt International

Lifeline Children's Services

“Adoption is a beautiful picture of redemption. It

 is the Gospel in my living room.” 

~ Katie Davis

{Adoption Awareness Month} ENCOURAGE

Encouragement is so very important. I didn't realize how much so until I was overseas, on the other side of the world, by myself, loving on sweet orphans. You have no idea what it meant to receive letters, packages, and emails of encouragement from friends. They were loving me and supporting me from far away. Being overseas can be very lonely and I can't tell you the number of times I would receive an email, letter, or package from someone just letting me know that they were thinking of me, and they would usually arrive just when I needed them most!

Do you know someone who is living overseas? Send them a quick email to let them know that you are praying for them and thinking of them!

Send them a package! I love, love, LOVED receiving packages from friends back home. Ask them what they would like in it. There may be some candy, baking supplies, candles, etc. that they are missing from home and would love to receive. I know one of my favorite care package items were candles. Especially around the holidays when you are missing home! Shipping overseas can be expensive, so go in with someone else to bring a little "taste of home" to friends overseas.

Send letters! Just a little note of encouragement can go a long way. Emails are great but there is just something extra special about receiving a hand written note. And let's be honest, receiving mail is just so much fun!

Do you know a family who is adopting? Adoption is hard, friends. Really hard. Not just financially but emotionally and even physically. Again, send them a note, email, or text to let them know you are thinking of them.

Do they live nearby? Make a dinner (it is especially nice when it is something that can be frozen in case they have other meals already planned or given!) and drop it off. There is such an important period of attachment between the child and new family so don't stay, but leaving a dinner for them would be greatly appreciated.

Offer to watch other children they have so that the parents can spend lots of time bonding with their new child.

Offer to shop for groceries or other things like diaper and formula they may need.

I have a lot of photographer friends out there. Offer to take pictures for free for a new adopted child's family. Maybe capture some moments at the airport when they arrive home with their new child or a few months later, offer to take some family pictures!

Friends, there are so many ways we can bless families who are in the adoption process. Let's be a blessing to them!

{Adoption Awareness Month} SUPPORT

Continuing with my National Adoption Awareness Month blog series. Make sure you read my previous posts on other ways you can make a difference in a child's life: Pray, Go, and Give.

I spent several years in China and I relied on my faithful supporters from all over the world to partner with me in the work I was doing. Asking for support and for people to partner with you financially is a very humbling experience and I can't say it's something that I enjoy doing. What I learned from the humbling experience of support raising is that often times people WANT TO GIVE. They maybe are not able to go on their own but want to play a role and giving is a way that they can be involved!

Don't know of an individual serving on the mission field but still want to support? There are many families who are in the process of bringing precious children home. Adoption is expensive and many families take a leap of faith to bring their children home.

Not sure who to give too? My good friend, Meredith, just recently arrived back in China to work with orphans for the next year! She has taken a leap of faith and trusting God with the finances for her year overseas. Please prayerfully consider giving to her!

Have questions? I'd love to hear from you!

{Adoption Awareness Month} PRAY

Last week, I wrote a post about how November is National Adoption Awareness Month. But more than that, I want to talk about not just adoption, but orphan care as well and how you can be involved and make a difference in the life of a child. We are not all called to adoption, but we are called to do something. The Lord talks a lot about orphans in the Bible and how we are to take care of them. Probably the most quoted verse when talking about orphans is James 1:27:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

God has a special place in His heart for the orphans. He doesn't just ask us to care for the orphans if we feel like it, no, He commands us to. 

This month, in honor of National Adoption Month, I am going to focus on several ways that you can make a difference in the life of the child and resources to help you get started. 

The first one is PRAY. I know, it should be a no brainer right? And the "Christian thing" to do. That may be the case, but friends, prayer is so very important. It is the most important thing we can do when talking about orphan care. I have seen the Lord move mountains when prayer was involved. In China, I saw miracle after miracle in the lives of the children I cared for. Children who should not be alive today, are not only alive, but thriving. If you do nothing else, then pray, pray, pray.

Here are some things to pray for if you need some direction:

** Pray for the children in foster families & homes, government & privately run orphanages all over the world.

** Pray for the nannies and caretakers.

** Pray for the birth families. We don't know their story or why they had to give their children up, but it was probably the most difficult thing they ever had to do. We often look at the birth parent as the "bad guy" when really, they may have given their child up out of love, to give them a chance at life.

** Pray for the funding for these foster home and orphanages. That they may provide the care these children need.

** Pray for FOREVER FAMILIES to adopt these children!

** Pray that there will be another option and that these families DO NOT have to give up their child for adoption! Pray for a way for them to stay with their birth families.

These are just a few ideas to help you get started!

Adoption Awareness Month

November is National Adoption Awareness Month and last Sunday, November 2nd, was Orphan Sunday. I am falling way behind this month. Church's around the world are focusing on the orphan crisis worldwide. 147 million orphans. That seems to be the number that is talked about again and again.  I have really been thinking about what to post about this month (on all those days I have not posted anything!) and how to share my heart on this topic. 

It is one thing to hear a number. To be so overwhelmed by it that you don't even know where to start. Or how to make a difference. Friend, after being there, on the font lines, loving on sweet orphans for the last 2 1/2 years of my life, it is so much different than a statistic. These are real loves, real children, and real stories. And I want to help you make a difference and find ways how you can be involved.

This all hits even closer to home when I think about my very own sister. She is no longer part of that statistic. At a time, she was, but no longer. She is a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a grand-daughter. She is loved and she is cherished. And so are all those sweet 147 million orphans worldwide. They may not have a family of their very own yet, but they have a Heavenly Father who loves them completely.

As I mentioned earlier, it is so easy to be overwhelmed with the orphan crisis and not know where to start. Friends, not everyone is called to adopt, but we are all called to do something. When I was in China, it didn't make the orphan crisis less overwhelming. It probably made it even more overwhelming! I remember in June 2012, the first time I stepped foot in a government run orphanage. A "home" to over a hundred children. Children who only wanted to be loved and cherished. Who yearned for a family of their very own. And my heart broke.

And this was just one orphanage. 
In one city. 
In one country. 
On one continent. 
And knowing how many more children there were out there, just waiting.

How could I, just one person, do anything to even make a difference with a problem so great?

I felt the Lord so clearly speaking to my heart that day in that orphanage. I couldn't change everything. But I could make a difference in the life of a child, one at a time. I realized that day, that no, I could not end the orphan crisis. But I COULD make a difference.

And if I made a difference for even just one child, it was all worth it.

Friends, what is the Lord placing in your heart? How can YOU make a difference in the life of an orphan? Throughout the remainder of November, I will be elaborating more on these 7 points in what you can do to help:

1.) Pray.

3.) Go.

3.) Give.

4.) Support.

5.) Sponsor.

6.) Encourage.

7.) Adopt.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me."

Matthew 25:40

The Latest News

"God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day."

Psalm 46:5

(A verse the Lord laid on my heart a few months ago)

I know I have been pretty silent these last few weeks. On October 22nd, I asked for prayers for some big, upcoming decisions I might have to make, and I did indeed, have to make them.

I arrived back in the United States on July 19th. It has been about 3 1/2 months since I have been back on US soil. When people ask me if there was a specific reason why I left China, the only answer I can give is that "it was time." It was. I loved what I did, I still miss the children and the staff, and yes, I even miss China (mainly the food!) from time to time. But, never once in the last 3 1/2 months, have I yearned to be back. And that means, that it really was time for me to leave.

Since arriving back in the states, I have been praying and seeking direction as to what the Lord has for me next. And I loved my two years in China and I know that those are memories and experiences that will stay with me forever. But I also knew that those two years were not going to be the highlight of my life. Yes, they are up there alright, but I know that just because I have left China doesn't mean that the Lord is going to stop using me. And so these last few months have been spent praying for the new ministry, the new journey the Lord has me. This summer and fall, doors have opened. I interviewed for several positions all over the country, and time and time again, those doors closed. All along I have been praying for the Lord to make it very clear to me, when the right door opens.

I will share the entire story lately (I'm working on it!) but to make a long story short, this one particular door opened in early October. And stayed open. Many of you already know this news if you are friends with me on FB or follow me on Instagram, but for those of you who don't know, I wanted to share. On October 23rd, I was offered a job and on October 27th, I accepted it. I have been hired in the adoption department at Dillon International adoption agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma! After spending 2 years in China, loving on precious orphans, I now get to play a role in bringing them home to their forever families! Is God good or what? I couldn't be more excited (or scared!) for the next journey the Lord has me on. I will be moving to Tulsa the first week of December. Right now I am researching apartments and trying to find one from 16 1/2 hours away (which is a little difficult although not too horrible with google earth and other internet resources).

Although it is exciting, it's hard too. I'm  moving away from my family and friends, again. And even though it's not as far as China, it's still far. But it just feels so right and so I am walking in faith and know that the Lord will see me through. Won't you join me in prayer as I move again in a month and adjust to my new home in Tulsa?

"We live by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

Shamian Island

On Sunday we took a walk down memory lane. Well, memory lane for my Mom at least. I wasn't in China with my parents 12 years ago and Kiah doesn't remember. We woke up early and took the bus into Guangzhou for the day. We visited the International Church and then took the subway to Shamian Island which is where my parents stayed when they were in Guangzhou 12 years ago, completing Kiah's adoption. The US Consulate is no longer located on Shamian Island and the White Swan, which is the hotel families used to all stay in, is currently closed for renovation. It was still fun to see where all of this took place and do some shopping.

Kiah and Mom by the Pearl River.

Shamian Island!

Lovely polluted Pearl River in the background.

The White Swan Hotel is in the background. Wish you were here with us, Dad!

This is where Kiah had her "medical exam" so that she could enter the US. I put it in quotes, because from what I've heard, it wasn't very thorough.

It was a long (we were gone 14 hours!) but fun day. We are now getting ready to pack and finish up our time here in China, leaving in 4 days. I would appreciate your prayers as this is going to be a very emotional week for me.