On a typical Tuesday afternoon, I was reading through some adoption friend blogs and stumbled upon a fellow blogger's China advocacy page. I regularly search and advocate for available Chinese children who are in search of a forever family. I am particularly drawn to older children and children with special medical needs. I guess you could say it's my heart for the orphan and trying to make a difference one child at a time. As Helen Keller said, "I can't do everything, but I can do something."
This particular day I found myself on a F@cebook page I'd never visited before. My Overthinking (I never do that, lol) is a page created by an adoptive mother who also shares a burden for orphans. As I scrolled through her page, I saw this photo:
At that moment, my heart began to race and an amazing feeling that I have felt twice before consumed me. So many emotions and thoughts were flooding my mind as I read her profile paragraph: "... is absolutely beautiful, and she needs a family." Those words stung as a child should never be without a family. The caption went on to say "She's a fun and lovely 12-year-old girl." A 12 year old girl was not what I had in mind when I dreamed of adopting again. But I'm sure a conversion was the last thing Saul dreamed of when he sat out for Damascus... I immediately thought to myself, oh no, there is no way Ryan is going to agree to a.) adopt again and b.) adopt a teenage girl! Turns out God knows my husband better than I do! After praying together, seeking God's will, and listening for God's voice, He confirmed that she is indeed our daughter.
There are so many God moments that have occurred from the day I first saw her photo and the night we committed to be obedient to God's call for our family. Here are a few:
-Even before I saw her face, God was preparing us: our pastor focused specifically on orphans and the plight of children in a sermon just over a month ago.
-Our son, not knowing about a possible sister from China, came home excited to have been selected for Chinese club at school where he will learn about the Chinese culture and basic Chinese dialogue.
-There were numerous scripture references and stories from the Bible that connected back to our obedience, caring for the orphan, and living a life worthy of the call.
-While reading the Hole in the Gospel (a wonderful book), I stumbled upon a chapter that discussed our call and being willing to go and walk a Christ like life. I remembered a pair of Sperry's that Chase had outgrown. I had spent the day trying to give them away as little girls and boys wear them and I was looking for someone to get some use out of them. I didn't have any luck that day and brought them back home. It was as if God said to me as I read the chapter from the book, If the Shoe Fits... I immediately gathered up the shoes and checked Yanan's file, only to find they fit Yanan exactly according to her chart. Just under the size label, the words read: "Made in China." God revealed our daughter was made in China but I would walk there to bring her home if I had to!
We know she's older and we will have less time with her than our other children. We know that she has preconceived notions of life and family. But as a blog friend so elegantly put it:
"Hard days will lie ahead... Challenges to tackle, Walls to come down
But the Author of her life is the knower of all fear, the Healer of all wounds,
The Redeemer of all brokenness and the Giver of all hope."
And for that... We find peace, excitement, and joy!
Who knew a pair of shoes would help confirm what God had been confirming for the past two weeks as Ryan and I prayed about our journey to our daughter.
Some will wonder why a 12 year old. Our response is why not?
"The timing may be unexplainable to the world, but
He called this mother and father to a 12-year-old girl in China
and whispered His promises of hope and peace."
"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
Please pray for us as we work frantically to complete all the necessary paperwork to bring our daughter home. We are so thankful for the love of family and friends to share in our journey to our daughter.
There's so much more to say and I plan to record it here so that one day in the near future Yanan will be able to see God's ability to create a family in which love is stronger than genetics.
Praying for you and your family as you begin a wonderful journey!! She's a lucky girl!
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