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.

Doodling

Just a few more pictures of my Sweetheart from this past weekend. Would you say a prayer for her and her family as they should be landing at HOME in just a few hours! Praying for a wonderful transition for my sweet baby girl as she adapts to a new culture, home, and language. It's been a lot of change but she's one brave little girl and I know she will do awesome!

He Writes the Best Stories

God truly writes the best stories ever. E.V.E.R. My Sweetheart left to join her adoptive family on Monday. I mentioned at the end of my post last week about how even though it was the end of this chapter, it is also only the beginning. The Lord in His great grace and mercy has allowed me to have such a special relationship with Sweetheart's family. Her Mom has become one of my dearest friends and her family has graciously accepted me into their family as well! Who would have thought that all those hours spent praying over this sweet life and her family, that I would have the blessing to continue to be a part of her life and her family? Only God..... only God. 

Sweetheart's family is still nearby finishing up her adoption and I was given the blessing of spending the weekend with her sweet family. What a blessing to see how well this cutie is doing with her new family. I know I keep saying it, but only God. 

This is only the beginning of many more memories to come. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

How?

"God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though it's waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of David,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

He lifts His voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,

the desolations He has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease

to the end of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

He burns the shields with fire.

He says, 

"Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Psalm 46

How do you prepare your heart for a big change? How do you find the words to say, knowing that in just a few short moments, the little one who you have loved and cherished and secretly wished would be yours one day, would be leaving you? What do you even pray when this precious gift from God lay sleeping in your arms on the way to meet her forever family? Knowing that her life is going to drastically change in just a few short moments, how do you even prepare her for all that lay ahead? How do you break the tie that bonds her and you so strongly together since the day she was placed in your arms over two years ago and find happiness and joy in all that the future holds?

Yesterday was not only one of the most special days but also one of the most heartbreaking days of my life. My little Sweetheart left to join her forever family. Please don’t misinterpret me, I am so very, very happy for her and her new family. I know that she is in the family who God had planned for her all along. Before she was even created, He knew who her family was, where they were, and when they would all be united. He knows her. He knows them. He knows the number of hairs on her head, He knows the little dimple in her cheek, and the soft baby scent of her skin. He knew what He was doing when He created her. And He knew the number of days that she would be in my care. From the very beginning, I tried to guard my heart. Okay, let’s be honest, I must not have tried very hard because from the very beginning, when this sweet child was placed in my arms and she grabbed onto my finger, I was in love. I knew that I would love this child like she was my own.

I remember witnessing each milestone she reached and rejoicing with her. When she learned to roll over, sit on her own, take her first steps, and run. I was there. When she was going through surgery, I was pacing in the waiting room like an anxious mama waiting to hear the news, any news, and praying her through. When her adoption paperwork was being completed and it was out of our hands, I was there, praying for her file to be placed into the right hands at the right time. I have prayed for this family for so long, it’s hard to believe the time is here. It has happened.

My heart is filled with joy for Sweetheart and her new family. She has an amazing family. A family who has loved and prayed for her for so long. I couldn't have hand picked a better family even if I had tried. God truly writes the best stories and His ways are best. But even though this time is filled with joy and happiness, my heart breaks. I sit here on my balcony, sipping my coffee and listening to the birds and I keep telling myself I need to head over to the foster and begin my day. But it is really, really hard. How can I walk into the foster home knowing that she will not be there to greet me? Running up to me with her arms outstretched and that adorable dimpled smile and yelling “On-a-knee!!!!” at the top of her lungs? How can I even walk into her room and see her bed stripped of her sheets and toys and waiting for another child to fill it's place?

How would I even prepare my heart for all the swirling emotions going on inside of me right now? This work is hard. Loving and letting go is hard. Change is hard. This is just the beginning of a series of change in my life. Yesterday not only did Sweetheart leave us, but Peanut also left to join his forever family. In just over two months, I will be leaving my home of 2 ½ years and moving back to the US. I can’t wait as I know it is time, but it is still hard. It is time to start preparing my heart for this huge upcoming transition, but how in the world do I do that? Yesterday morning during my quiet time with the Lord, as I was praying about all that lie ahead, He whispered to my soul, “I am with you. You will get through this.” And I will. I did. I will get through today, with the Lord’s help. I will get through the coming days and months of missing my little one, with the Lord’s help. And when I make my final trip (for now) across the ocean in a few short months, I will get through, with the Lord’s help. He is my strength because I would not have gotten through any of this without Him leading, guiding, and whispering words of affirmation and peace into my heart. And so I take one day at a time, one hour, one moment, and rely on Him to hold me up each step of the way.

And do you want to know the even more amazing part of this story? Is that it is only the beginning. Sweetheart's family have graciously added me to their family as well. I know that I will always have a place in her life and in her heart. Yes, it will be different, but it is just the next chapter. I can't wait to watch this little girl grow and thrive and see how the Lord will use her to bring Him glory, just as He has already done so in her life.

"God sets the lonely in families."

Psalm 68:6

Season of Change

What a week it has been. And what a week it is going to be. I haven't been blogging because I don't have anything to say. I actually have a lot to say, it's just every time I log into my blog, and try to come up with a post, I just don't know what to write. Or maybe, how to say it. So much has happened in the last few months and there is so much on my heart.

On Saturday, I said goodbye to Laura who has spent the last seven weeks with me here in China. It was quite the adventure and not one I will ever forget. We traveled to Macau, Beijing, and Hong Kong together. We made memories with our silly antics and loving on such precious children in the foster home. This will be a time in our lives that we will never forget. I am so thankful for such an amazing friend as Laura. She has been with me through the ups and the downs. She has blessed me in more ways than she will ever know. And I can't help but be thankful for her friendship in my life.

Laura, thank you for your heart, love for God, and your love for orphans all over the world. You have blessed these children more than you will ever know. Thank you for giving two months of your life for them. They all miss you already!

If saying goodbye to Laura wasn't hard enough, in just seven short days, I'll say goodbye to my precious Sweetheart. 

It'll be a goodbye that is very bittersweet. I am so very happy for her and that she is leaving to join her forever family. The family the Lord has had set aside for her all along. And even though my heart is filled with joy and happiness for her, it is also breaking. Every time I think about going into the foster home after she leaves, and not having her there, the tears begin falling. It's not only that she's leaving. It's that in just a few short months, I also, will be leaving.

It's a season of change. And change, no matter how good it may be, is still hard.

And so, I am cherishing my last moments with her. And here.  No, I know it's not the end of our story together, but it's the end of this chapter.

This little one has been such a huge part in healing my heart. During all those months of not knowing if I could go a step father, loving on her brought me such purpose and joy. She played a huge role in God putting the pieces of my broken heart together again. And because of that, I will forever be thankful for her and the blessing she has been in my life.

I came to China not quite sure why God was calling me here at such a low time in my life. Looking back, He called me here to heal and to restore. I needed Sweetheart as much as she needed me. And for her life, I will always be thankful.

Sunday Snapshot: Wasn't it Just Yesterday?

Two years old. This little Sweetheart turns 2 years old today. Wasn't it just yesterday that I held her in my arms, giving her a bottle in the hospital, waiting to see the doctor so we knew exactly what we were dealing with? Wasn't is just yesterday, that I cried out to the Father on behalf of this little girl who was recently abandoned and praying for an English name for her? Wasn't it just yesterday that the Lord gave me this passage that I would and still continue to pray over her life?

"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 pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep 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."

Isaiah 43:1-3

And what a two years it has been. The Lord has worked miracle after miracle in this little one's life. She is no longer weak and fragile but she is now full of life, joy, and giggles. She makes me smile and laugh each day and she is truly a blessing from the Lord. 

You see, this little one came to me at a time when I needed her most. I was broken, confused, and in need of healing. The Lord used her to heal me. While spending hours holding and praying for her, the Lord not only healed her, but He healed me.

This Sweetheart will always be near and dear to me and hold a very special place in my heart. I am blessed that our story together is only beginning. His plan is above all we could ever ask or imagine!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my little Sweetheart. I am so thankful that this is her last birthday spent without her forever family. Although I will miss seeing her each day, I know the Lord has such an amazing plan for her life and I can't wait to watch that plan unfold.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." 

Psalm 34:18

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