Celebrating love!

This Valentine's Day was a special one.  Nothing fancy!  Wilson did remember to get me something...picked up some chocolates to thank me for not deciding to be friends 11 years ago.  :) 
And a card unsigned (his signature move).  We also visited with his grandmother, which was long overdue.  We enjoyed ourselves and needed that time together.  Even if it was driving in a car and stopping at McDonald's on the way home.  Valentine's Day to me is more about the little things than fighting the crowds to eat at an overcrowded restaurant.  It's more than flowers that will fade in a few days and are overpriced.  It's special to spend time with my hubby and have memories that will last a lifetime.  Enjoying his presence. 

(My present to Wilson was a "Wilson" brand football.  A children's size, in the shade of pink rather than brown.  She will be the first female punter in the NFL.)

One of the things that I anticipate the most about the adoption is seeing Wilson as a Baba (Daddy).  He's going to be an excellent one!  Sue Ling has already made him a big mushy mess.  He talks to her in the house on a regular basis (no she is not here yet)!  He tells her to get ready for bed, calls her to the dinner table, and has a conversation with her in the back seat of the car (the empty car seat).  Many times, Sue Ling is the first thing he speaks about when his eyes open in the morning.  He talks about her before he even gets out of the bed.  When he kisses me goodbye, he also kisses Sue Ling (which he imagines will be laying in the bed next to me in the morning).  He talks constantly about picking her up and carrying her around EVERYWHERE.  One time we were leaving a restaurant and he was calling Sue Ling to walk over to see something in the parking lot....then realized there were people eating outside wondering what this man was doing! Made me chuckle.  He was holding her hand (the air) while talking to her.  CAN I SAY, THIS MAN HAS IT BAD!!!

I love that he gets teary eyed when he talks about her.  I love that his heart is so big and full of love.  I love that he tells me daily that he will always take care of us...no matter what it takes.  I love that he buys the kids meal at lunch sometimes, just because he can't wait to buy one for her in the future.  I ask him if he will love her more than me...I know the truth.  He's going to love us both, with all that is in him. 

He's going to be one great Baba.  She is going to be one lucky girl...and spoiled.

Can't wait. 

She deserves it. 

I always feel like I don't deserve such love and devotion.  Thanking the Lord for His gift to me...Wilson.  I'm a blessed woman.

We received an update on Sue Ling Friday:

 

I can't tell you what this picture did to me.  I just want, so badly, to love on this daughter of mine.  My heart hurts for her! 

As I looked at this picture, I began seeing myself in her.  Is that weird?  I feel like there are moments when I see a picture, or video, and think that she has our personality already.  Like she oozes me even though I didn't birth her.  When I looked at this picture, for the first time I saw a reflection of me in her face. 

A little mini me. 

It was almost like I could feel her presence next to me...helping me with things around the house.  Helping me load the dryer, set the table, making the bed.

Oh, I can't wait to feel her presence!

 

Please pray that the Lord will open up the door so that we can travel to get her in March.  Momma is not doing well with the wait!

Anticipation

Anticipation continues to grow as we get closer to our departure.  So many thoughts, feelings, emotions are stirring that I can't even process or verbalize them.  We have waited for so long for this moment to come...but even in the 11 years of waiting, everything seems to be rushing in so fast that I can't get a grasp on it.  As we grow closer, a feeling of finding quietness and rest continues to lay on my mind.  But my mind and emotions seem to be going in a million directions!!  So over the next few weeks, I'll be laying low and trying to find some quietude.  Focusing on resting in the Lord and seeking His guidance in the journey ahead.  A sabbatical of sorts.  I desperately need to surrender everything to Him...who is, and has been, the author of this whole journey.  Soaking in His presence.  Focusing on the task He has before us...focused on a special little girl.  Her needs, her emotions, her heart, her best interest.  And trying to savor the journey so that we can treasure the memories in our hearts.  Not worrying about logistics...not worrying about everything I need to pack...not worrying how we can take pictures to capture moments...not worrying about staying in touch with the world via internet...

Quieting my spirit and removing "me" from the picture.  Focusing on a precious girl that has come from a broken past.  She doesn't have any clue that there is One that can take those broken pieces, and can will rework them into a beautiful mosaic.  Just as He continues to work in the brokenness of her Baba and Mama.  What a relief to know that we can all be broken together.  He is able to help us day-by-day.

So, we anticipate the addition to this family....and I think the addition is anticipating us!!

Just days ago, one of Sue Ling's little friends, was able to leave the orphanage with his forever family.  This child has been in many pictures and videos that we have...we were so very excited for them!  This mom shared some moments she captured that day.  They had come to the orphanage to visit and allow the little one to say goodbye to friends and nannies.  (Hard day).  She captured the moment that they arrived and Sue Ling was there to say hello!

Her friend had been missing for a few days...I think she missed him!  My heart jumped for joy thinking about the little guy getting to go home!  My heart swelled with the thought that Sue Ling will soon be in his shoes!  My heart broke for my little girl.  She has already started saying goodbye to the only world she has known...and it will get harder.  Lord, soothe her little heart!

Now, back up a few weeks....we have been able to make a special friendship with a family that volunteer at the orphanage.  Our friend has been helping with preparing Sue Ling for our arrival.  (Sue Ling also has a photo album of her Mama and Baba that the orphanage is using to prepare her). 

Our friend told us this a few weeks ago:

"Hi! Saw your girl today. She was sitting in one of the preschool rooms drawing on a Magna Doodle. She seemed to be having fun with that. Every time she sees me now, she smiles and shouts "Baba he Mama" which means "Daddy and Mommy". And then I always tell her in Chinese, "Yes, Sue, your mom and dad are my friends!""

The same day, when this picture was taken above, we received this message:

"Hi, You guys have been on my heart this week. One of Sue's friends/roommates got to go home this week and I kept thinking, "Sue is next!!!"  She continues to yell out "MAMA and BABA!!!" in the cutest, most enthusiastic voice ever. She does this to other foreigners now too...This girl is so special to so many, we just can hardly wait for you to have her."

What Mama could ask for more than that?  This confirmed to me that our Sue Ling is beginning to anticipate us!!  She's made a connection.  She may not totally understand what all this means, but she knows she has a Mama and Baba out there somewhere.  One day soon we will be able to say "Yes, Sue Ling, we are your Mama and Baba!!!"  Can't wait!

Things I want to remember and share with Sue Ling

Since we started our pursuit for Sue Ling, we have received so many messages from people that have met Sue Ling, seen her on the waiting list, or have prayed for her.  These contacts have always warmed our hearts and have confirmed to us that the Lord has orchestrated this whole plan.  These special messages are things I do not want to forget...ever!  I will always cherish them in my heart:

" I am so happy to hear this! She captured my husbands heart when she was listed with Lifeline and we have been praying for her to find a family. And you could be her family! Amazing! She is a special little girl. I have pictures of her eating in the dining hall! We talked to her while she was eating and she is just so sweet.... my daughter was so excited to hear about Sue Ling today, (she went on the trip with me) and she reminded me of a couple other things to tell you ...She has the cutest dimples when she smiles and she blew us kisses as we left the room. Just precious!"

"Oh my gosh!!!!!!  I met her... And fell in love with her. She was eating a bowl of pasta soup of some sort at a little table with other kids. I knelt down beside her, looked her in the eyes and said "Wo ai ni" (I love you). She smiled at me when I said that. She is so beautiful, Amy.  I rubbed her little hand. Her eyes were so soulful.  I had no idea how long she'd been on the waiting child list and prayed for a family to be called to her. We are thrilled!"

"You don't know me but I'm so excited for you guys and your sweet little girl!! When I found out she had a family I was so excited! Loved her when we met her. She had so much joy! Praying for you guys! Hope you are able to travel soon to bring her home!!"

"This will make my seven year olds day! He has prayed fervently for her for a really long time. One time I walked up to his huddle at soccer practice and he had the whole team praying for her to find a family! I am so thrilled for y'all!! She has grown up so much since her videos. Precious!...I showed him the picture of her tonight and he was giddy with excitement. He seriously prayed for her at every meal, on the way to school and at bedtime before we saw she had a family on the website. We have prayed for lots of waiting kiddos but your precious daughter was different for him. Maybe because they are so close in age? If we hadn't been matched at the time with our little girl, I would have thought she was ours because he has felt so passionately about her. Anyway, I am thrilled to be "friends" with you so we can follow your journey! I can't wait to see her in her mama's arms :)"

So many more loving messages sent by family, friends, and strangers...I can't list them all!  But what has touched my heart the most, is that people have been so faithful to pray for Sue Ling and for us.  Special stuff. 

LOA!

Our letter of approval (LOA) came on December 29, 2014.  How exciting to receive this information!!! That means we are getting so much closer to travel.  Now, we are busy with paperwork for U.S. immigration and getting our visas.  Soon, little girl, we will be picking you up!

Update on processing...

10-17-2014 -- Dossier sent to China
10-27-2014 --  LID (Logged In)
11-4-2014 --  OOT  (Out of Translation)

Moving on!

Our Family Tree

Genealogy

 

This subject has been floating around my head for a week or so now.  My bible study group is currently finishing up our study on Genesis.  This book has many lists of family genealogies.  The documentation of the very first family. (Genesis 5)  THE VERY FIRST FAMILY!  The tree starts with Adam and Eve...or I guess we should say with God.  He created and then fathered the first man and woman.  Then we follow the tree to Noah and his descendants.  (Genesis 10)  Then on and on until we end Genesis with Joseph. 

Many of us skip over these long lists of names!  Many of these people we know very little (or nothing) about them.  So what is the big deal?  Why are there so many genealogies recorded in the Bible?

 

I came across this article on the web:  http://www.unlockingthebible.org/bible-genealogy-and-jesus/

Kevin Halloran comes up with five great points about why they are so important:

 

1.  Bible Genealogies show that God cares about history

2.  Bible Genealogies show that God interacts with real people

3.  Bible Genealogies show that God can use imperfect people for His purposes

4.  Bible Genealogies show that God cares about families

5.  The genealogy of Jesus means that God understands our situation

 

It's a great little article and I would encourage you to read it!

 

Another great article I found came from Answers In Genesis:

https://answersingenesis.org/answers/biblical-authority-devotional/why-are-the-genealogies-of-christ-important/

"In our modern culture—especially in America—many families have little sense of heritage. We may have some family traditions, but most Americans don’t even know the names of their great, great grandparents or care where they lived, what they did, etc. Modern genealogy is primarily reserved for hobbyists. In contrast, genealogies were a deeply integral part of Jewish society at the time of Jesus. Land was inherited based on family lines, and those who could not prove their ancestry in Israel were considered outsiders."

Genealogies were super important!  Important for families and individuals.  They should be important to us, because we see that our Creator cares about us individually.  And most important, it was important to God, because he used them to direct us to the most important person on the list....Christ.  He used genealogies to direct us to the Gospel. 

I like to watch the PBS program called "Finding Your Roots" with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  In each episode, he uncovers the family tree for three famous people in our society.  It's very interesting!  The things they find out about their ancestors can be good...and sometimes not so good.  But none-the-less, it's intriguing!!  Every time I watch the show, I fondly think of my Uncle Denny (who was the genealogist in our family).  He dedicated so much time to research my father's line back to our roots, as far back as he could, to Germany.  As you sit and read the names, you wonder what their life was like, and what type of character they had as a person.  One was a town leader in Germany, he traveled to England and then on to America in 1710.  He made the voyage to this country, and now generations later...here I am!  Decisions and events, dreams and disappointments, marriages and deaths, changes in residence and jobs....they all lead to my father and mother meeting.  And then my life came out of this lineage. 

Coincidence?  Man's doing?  I'd rather think not!

 

The all so familiar verse:  "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11

 

"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.  From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do."   Psalm 33:10-15

 

How I wish my Uncle Denny could be here to add Sue Ling to our family tree!  One day soon, our branch is going to grow!!  I don't know what the future holds...we may never have grandchildren to share family stories with...marriage may not be in her future.  As generations come and go, memories are lost and people are forgotten.  Wouldn't it be something, generations from now, if someone traced back the family tree and found us?  There we will be in a box...with a line drawn to a child...with Sue's name in it.  Will they know the story?  Will they know that this child of mine had her biological roots firmly found in China?  This little Asian girl was miraculously grafted into our family tree.  Our ancestral story will now become her story.  Her ancestral story will become our story as well.  To know the story of her genealogy would be fascinating to me.  Maybe there would be stuff uncovered that would be good, and maybe things we would rather not have known.  But somewhere, generations ago, the Lord was working His plan.  He was working all things for our good.  He was in Germany, bringing my ancestors to America.  He was directing Wilson's ancestors as well.  And He was in China, directing Sue Ling's ancestors too. 

 

A...MAZ...ING!!!

 

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

 

 

 

"Light! Give Me Light!"

I was recently reading "Helen Keller: The Story of My Life" by Helen Keller.  I was struck with emotion as I read about the day she met her teacher, Anne Sullivan.  Her words:

"The most important day I remember in all my life is the one on which my teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, came to me.  I am filled with wonder when I consider the immeasurable contrasts between the two lives which it connects.  It was the third of March, 1887, three months before I was seven years old.

On the afternoon of that eventful day, I stood on the porch, dumb, expectant.  I guessed vaguely from my mother's signs and from the hurrying to and fro in the house that something unusual was about to happen, so I went to the door and waited on the steps.  The afternoon sun penetrated the mass of honeysuckle that covered the porch, and fell on my upturned face.  My fingers lingered almost unconsciously on the familiar leaves and blossoms which had just come forth to greet the sweet southern spring.  I did not know what the future held of marvel or surprise for me.  Anger and bitterness had preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had succeeded this passionate struggle.

Have you ever been at sea in a dense fog, when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in, and the great ship, tense and anxious, groped her way toward the shore with plummet and sounding-line, and you waited with beating heart for something to happen?  I was like that ship before my education began, only I was without compass or sounding-line, and had no way of knowing how near the harbor was.  "Light! give me light!" was the wordless cry of my soul, and the light of love shone on me in that very hour.

I felt approaching footsteps.  I stretched out my hand as I supposed to my mother.  Some one took it, and I was caught up and held close in the arms of her who had come to reveal all things to me, and, more than all things else, to love me."

Amazing!  It is just amazing to contemplate Helen's life at this moment.  The "light of love shone on her that very hour".

Can you imagine?  She had no idea how her whole world was about to open up...how everything was about to become much clearer...how she was no longer going to be wandering around in this world without being connected to it.  And she was almost 7 years old when this awakening came!  Anne Sullivan would change her world by connecting her to it through the gift of communication.  Helen Keller would change our world by showing us that people with differences have so much to give to our society.  The contrast of what her childhood was like, and the woman she became, is inspirational.  But the most touching part of Helen's life is the relationship she had with her teacher.  Such love for one another...they were not only connected through communication, but in love.
 
I thought of our Sue Ling.  She is at the same age that Helen was when her life changed.  I want to hope that the day we meet our girl for the first time, it will be a turning point in her life.  That we will help bring her light and direct her to the Compass that knows her future. 

"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

An awakening in her spirit.  An opening up of the world to her.  She will leave out of the orphanage gate and begin to experience places, people, animals, things she has never known.  Her eyes will be opened, her senses stimulated, her mind will be broadened as she learns new things. 

 

How she will fill our world.

Wilson and I dream, often, about what it will be like the day we meet our daughter.  We get so excited about it.  I can only imagine that Sue Ling will wonder what is going on that day.  She will go on a long car ride that will take her away from everything familiar to her.  I can't imagine what will go on inside her mind.  She will know something unusual is happening.  She will know that she will be meeting her "Mama" and "Baba".

What will she think about it all?

 

She will be at the threshold of a new life, just as Helen was that day.  Our prayers are, that her response to us will be as fond as Helen's was to Anne.

That she will find love...that we will show her Love.

 

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"  1 John 3:1