Going & Coming

Yesterday was a day of "going" as well as a day of "coming!" We brought one of our little ones to meet her forever family. Goodness, how I love adoption days! A verse that immediately comes to mind is Romans 8:28:

"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

That's what adoption is all about. God takes something has painful and heartbreaking as abandonment and turns it into something beautiful and redemptive, adoption. I love being able to witness that transition and change. I see when our kids come to us they have broken hearts. They may not know what love is. And as the days and months go on, I see those little smile come out.... they let love in. And then when they meet their forever families? It's truly seeing God in action. No, the kids may not fully understand but watching their parents and the love that pours out from them is amazing.

I not only was able to watch this little one meet her forever family but also about 15-20 other families who were also meeting their children yesterday. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. Thinking how much love and prayer was in that room.

This post is titled "Going & Coming" right? Well I've talked about the going.... would you like to hear about the coming?

That is right..... we have new baby! This little one has a long road ahead of her, but we know that she has hope. There is always hope.

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Isaiah 1:17

Thank You

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you.

I received so many comments and emails from the post I wrote about a week ago about the hard things.

I was blown away with your love and kindness and most importantly, your payers.

Yes, it's hard.

But I am so blessed to be going through the hard things with friends who love and care about me so much.

I know God is up to somethings and something big. 

And one day, it WILL be my turn.

I know there is a good reason as to why He has not brought my husband and I together yet.

He is still working on each of us individually. 

Thank again and please let me know how I can be praying and lifting each of you up!

Either leave me a comment or send me an email at annelifjohnson@gmail.com.

Little Treasure

Two months. 

On February 26th it will be two months since Treasure was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia. 

And now she has developed a bacterial infection that has gotten into her blood stream. 

We have been waiting and waiting.
She is stable. 

Which means she is not getting worse.

But she is not getting better either. 

This little one needs a miracle. 

And she needs it soon. 

This sweet girl needs to come home.
Where she is loved and held and cherished.
Not lying in a hospital bed for months and months.

Last week, I spent an afternoon fasting and praying for this little Treasure. And a verse I "happened" to come across (we all know it was not an accident right?) was found in John 11:4 which says:

"This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it." 

And I am going to stand on that promise. That Promise that God is not done with this little girl. He is going to work a miracle.
And it's going to be huge.

Will you consider joining me in a day of prayer and fasting for this little one on Friday, February 22nd? 

Now for those of you who don't know much about fasting it doesn't HAVE to be fasting food. Fast Facebook or TV. And then when you would be spending time doing those activities, pray for Treasure instead. Lift her up to the One who knows her and formed her. And has a plan for her life.

Let's pray for a miracle over this little sweetie. May God's name be glorified. 

Laughter

Precious arrived just a few short weeks ago.

He has gone not only to smiling.

But to laughing. 

And let me tell you, his laughter is contagious! 

This my friends, is a miracle.

Right before my eyes.

Seeing this little boy in an orphanage last June and again in January and how sad he was.

It's truly a miracle where he is today.

Glory be to God alone.

Little Lamb

What a way to start out the day... holding a precious 7 week old baby boy.

Little Lamb arrived in the foster home just over a week ago and is such a little peanut!

He's another little one who I "met in the orphanage" a few weeks back. 

Needless to say, I am thrilled that he is here to receive healing and hope.

My heart breaks for all of our children and their abandonment story. 

I wrote the bio on this little one for the website and it beaks my heart each time I write one.

"When (insert child's name) could not be found they were taken to the local orphanage."

Lamb's parents could not be found. Did not want to be found. 

Less than 2 months ago, this little one was held by his parents. 

And now he is an orphan. 

The amazing thing about God is how He takes something so painful and tragic as abandonment and turns it into something beautiful, adoption.

I can't wait to watch Lamb grow and thrive in our care and to one day watch him join his forever family.

What a glorious day that will be! There will be a party in Heaven for sure!

Season of Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends! Yes, this Thanksgiving is a bit different for me. This is the first time I have not spent it with my family and it’s a little bittersweet. Knowing that my family is getting together celebrating this Thanksgiving without me, makes me a little teary eyed.

I have also realized that being AWAY from home for the holidays, makes you appreciate them so much more. I know that whenever I am home again for the holidays, that it will be that much more special. It wont just be another holiday taken for granted… it will truly be special. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.

Although I wont be spending this Thanksgiving with family, I will be spending it with friends. I have been invited into Guangzhou to spend it with some American friends for a truly American Thanksgiving. I am truly blessed by the people that the Lord has placed in my path.

I am for so many things. This year, I’m especially thankful for the twelve precious children the Lord has called me to care for. Right now I can’t imagine my life without them.

This year has been a year of healing. God has been healing my heart and placing the pieces of my broken heart back together. He has used the smiles of sweet children. Not just any children, but orphans. These orphans have healed my heart like they will never know. They have no idea how I came here to help them, but somewhere along the way they have touched me and healed my heart. Isn’t that just like God?

So this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that my smile is back. That I truly have joy in my life again, something that I never thought I would have again after that terrible spring day over a year ago.

Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love and for NEVER giving up on me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anneli

A Place of Hope

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will sore on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

A few months ago, I shared about my orphanage visits. Five Chinese orphanages in three days. It’s an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. There is no way to describe the pain I witnessed in those three days. The heartache and feeling of hopelessness. When I would walk into a room full of children who are “unadoptable” and cry out to my Maker,

“Why God?!”
“Why don’t they have a chance?”
“Why do they have no hope?”
“Why do I not even know what to pray over these precious children?”
“Children created in Your image?”

I felt this all consuming feeling of hopelessness. A feeling that I couldn’t shake. I looked at the hurting and the distant look in the eyes of these children and I realized how this must be how God feels. Probably angry. Watching His children suffer breaks His heart. That is why He has such a heart for the orphan. He has not forgotten them. He knows the number of hairs on their heads. He knows them by name and He loves them. He has not forgotten and He will not forget.

But He also calls us to act.

Since that trip, I have witness FOUR miracles. Four children have come into our care since then. Two of them I saw in those orphanages and the other two were a part of those would have been a part of those orphanages. Lying on wooden slabs of wood with hopelessness in their eyes. Defeat in their little spirits. I have seen how love can make a difference. How in just a short amount of time, they have gone from sad, solemn, downcast to joyful, smiling, happy, and most of all…. hopeful.

They have taught me more than they will ever know. The heart of the Father is evident in each of their lives. Their miracles. How those who Hope in the Lord will renew their strength. And how blessed I am to be a part of hope.

Anneli

A Breath of Fresh Air

Thankfully the weather is finally beginning to cool down! I love the heat but after almost 8 straight months of it, I’m ready for a little break.

The other day, I joined some friends for an outdoor lunch at a restaurant that is situated on top of a hill. Now you would probably not want to sit outside during the summer months, but it was so pleasant the other day, I could have sat out there for hours!

Isn’t it lovely?

 

There was also seating indoors that had these gorgeous lights. I thought they were just beautiful.

How would you like to open your window to that view?

 

There were so many fish!

I just love these flowers… they are all over southern China.

My “China family.”

Anneli

Right Where I’m At

I love how we serve a God who meets us right where we are.
First of all, I want to thank you all SO VERY MUCH for all of your sweet words of encouragement and most of all, your prayers. I can feel them and know that I am not alone in this even though I may feel it at times.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to go bike riding with some friends. Now I will admit, I was VERY tempted to just say “no” and stay home. I just wasn’t in the mood. I was homesick, confused, and just really doubting that China is even where the Lord wants me.
But yet, I felt deep down that I should go. And so I reluctantly agreed and set out on an adventure.

It turned out to be just what I needed! We were on the outskirts of the city where we rented bikes and biked probably 5-7 miles on these paths which meandered through the hills with GORGEOUS scenery.
It was absolutely breathtaking and a breath of fresh air.
I felt such peace.

A verse that kept coming to mind was Psalm 121:1 which says:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1

And that is where my help and your help come from.
Our Heavenly Father.

He met me on Saturday. He met me in my confusion, my loneliness, and in my uncertainty.
And He reminded me to turn to Him. That my help will ONLY come from Him.
It will never come in friends.
Or a job.
A husband or family.
Only from Him.

Just being in the beauty of His creation reminded me of how powerful He is. How if He can create the mountains, valley’s, and streams just by SAYING IT, then He can do anything.

He not only met me this weekend, but also put people into my path to encourage and remind me that God is indeed working.
What I am doing is not in vain, but God is using me not only here in China, but also in encouraging OTHERS to go, step out in faith and trust Him.

That is crazy!

It’s not about me anyways.
Never has been.
And never will be.
It’s all about Him.

Remember how I have been praying for friends for months?
Well God has heard me and has answered.
Someday I will learn that He tends to do that.

“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope IN THE LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and now grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

Praise be to the God who never gives up on me.
No matter how many times I fail Him.

Anneli