Joy {Alaina's Persuasive Essay on Adoption}

During Alaina's 3rd grade English, she was learning how to write a 'persuasive essay.'  My sensitive, out-going girl decided to write her paper on adoption. 

The minute Alaina entered our arms, we noticed this charm about her. Since she came home, we have witnessed over 30 babies find homes. Her charm has always encouraged others to buy plane tickets to... China. So, when she told me she was going to convince Daddy to adopt a sister, I wasn't surprised. I think her essay is well thought out and her facts are very true. Oh my heart. :)

I love how BJU Press takes them step by step through the process.  First, she came up with an 'opinion statement.'  Then, she needed two reasons why she believes in her opinion statement.  With each reason, she needed facts to back up her opinion. 

She put lots of thought into each reason and each fact is true, sadly. 

(Be sure to click on the picture so you can read it better.)

After posting her proud picture on facebook, many fun comments were received.  One comment, got me thinking.  It took me several days to think through it.  

  "When you put it like that, how do you ever stop adopting?"

Wow, this is such a tough question for me.  I’m always open to adopting, if God calls us. Joel and I might be 'done' adding more, but our family...from generation to generation will not forget, I pray.

I think of the verse "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12

So,...I can't forget the ones left behind. It's with me daily. Until I die, God has called me to educate, share the truth, and advocate for these little people left behind.  It's always in my heart and mind.

Not everybody is called to adopt but we are all called to do our part...widows and orphans...all over the world.  By sharing my heart, boldly, it helps me feel like I'm making a difference...one by one.  As each baby/child comes home to their forever family, I experience pure joy. 
 
So, yes, I would adopt more if God wants us to. In the mean time, I will continue sharing my heart and praying more Christians step up…adopting, foster care, sponsoring, visiting. 

Alaina deciding to write a paper to convince others to adopt, including our family, brings me great joy. 

Introducing...

The newest member of our family...

My nephew!!

As you all know, my brother and SIL just got back in November with handsome Caden. BTW, he is doing wonderful. He is so smart and so lovable. He fits in the family perfectly...like he has always been with us.

Just a few short weeks ago, my SIL saw this little guy on CCAI's Waiting Child Website. My brother wasn't so excited at first as he thought she was crazy...LOL

But, God...

right away, started working on his heart. He told my SIL that he wanted to adopt this little guy but it just didn't make sense. She had all the right answers. :)

My mom, with a smile, told my brother to beware that if my SIL is with me very much, that they will have 6 kids (this little guy will make 5). Oh they know me well. LOL

{notice the section cut out? split pants!! got to love it.}

Little Guy was born without his left forearm but he is not missing a thing.

Benjamin walked by the computer one day as I was looking at Little Guy's picture. I showed him the close up picture of his left arm. Benjamin said, "I love his arm."

So sweet. He smiled so big and I could just tell he connected to his new cousin right then.

We can't wait 'til he's home...and actually we won't have to wait very long. My SIL, in one month, has almost completed the dossier. The homestudy is almost done and then immigration approval should be finished in about two months. We expect that they will travel around October. We hope.

Pray for him as he waits for his new family. I'm as excited as if he were my own.

{and do I ever have the itch!}

Hudson's Referral Anniversary

Four years ago, yesterday, we got "the call" and saw our Hudson's handsome face for the first time.

The next day {four years ago,today}, Mr. Fedex Man brought us even more adorable pictures of our little guy.

About 6 weeks later, we were holding Hudson in our arms forever...

And four years later, he's still cute as ever!


We love you, Hudson and thank Jesus everyday for picking you for our family.

Depraved Indifference

Wow, if you have not seen this, take about 7 minutes to watch it! Powerful! Such an amazing video.

Apparently, his son's name is Hudson, as well. :)

Freezing...

Today especially, I'm thankful for my nice warm house.



Our friends, who live in Ch*na, sent their monthly newsletter today. I always enjoy getting it. Their emails are hilarious yet informative. With permission, I just had to share. You might want to get a blanket and some warm hot chocolate as you read it. I felt a few degrees colder after reading.



"What is the answer to this equation?

China -- a developing country that conserves energy by mandating that areas south of the Yangtze River do not receive central heating


+ Kunming -- a city south of the Yangtze River that is over 1 mile high in elevation


+ A 10 story apartment building constructed entirely of concrete -- no insulation or indoor heat


+ Temperatures hovering right above freezing


+ A family from the Arizona desert


= equals a very COLD family

You know it’s cold when . . .


You can see your breath while sitting inside your apartment


You go outside to warm up because the temperature inside your apartment is colder than the outside temperature


You fight over who gets to wash the dinner dishes – just to get warm


You get practice at diagnosing chilblains… because you have them on your own toes (no joke!)


The highlight of the day is a hot shower


Your friend visits from Minnesota and says, “Man, it’s cold here!”


You are wearing sweat pants to work…under your regular trousers.


Food sits out on your counter all day and doesn't go bad. Who needs a frig?


You get excited when the space heater brings your bedroom temperature up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.


You avoid using the bathroom because of the shock of that freezing cold toilet seat.


It’s been a cold winter in Kunming . So according to tradition, our family is flying south to warm sunny Thailand for the Chinese New Year vacation next week. My toes should return to their normal color as we aim to mentally and physically thaw out. In addition to getting some R & R and medical & dental check-ups, I will be attending a medical conference in northern Thailand to update my medical certification. This medical conference has really encouraged me in past years with doctors from all over Asia in attendance. I am especially looking forward to this year’s conference as our keynote speaker will be Os Guinness; one of my favorite writers.

Warm sunshine, Thai noodles, Os Guiness. I can hardly wait.

Wishing you a very Happy Year of the Rabbit!!"



Wow, I really can't imagine.



About this time three years ago, a handsome little one year old was living in a very cold orphanage with temperatures of 30 degrees and no heat. My heart broke thinking about him in those conditions as we waited to finish up our homestudy and dossier. We prayed Jesus' arms were wrapped around him, keeping him warm. We know they dress the babies with many layers...so many layers that they can't move. I'm sure it helps...but it's not enough.



This morning, Benjamin is sleeping with his comfy, warm covers and never again, will his cheeks be rosie red from lack of heat.



Thank you, Jesus for all the blessings you have given to us. Help us to never, never forget those left behind, freezing in an orphanage, without the love of a mom and dad.



It breaks my heart.

My birthday wish...

Today is my birthday and I need a little favor. :) I’ve learned through studying “The Five Love Languages” that one of my love languages is “words of affirmation.” So thanks in advance for wishing me a happy birthday...haha.

As much as I love reading all the Happy Birthday wishes, what would warm my heart the most would be to hear that my friends are considering sponsoring an orphan or supporting my favorite organization.

Joel and I know the president personally and know the heart of this organization. 100% of the money given to the children, goes to the children. No money is taken out for administrative purposes!

If you decide to make a donation, could you send me a message so I can tally up the total? It would be so wonderful to hear from you before December 31…and you would get the end of year tax deduction. I will announce how much we have given and how many orphans are supported on January 1, 2011. The president recently told me that over 250 orphans need sponsors. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

This time last year, Alexis chose a special orphan, Navia to sponsor each month. Navia’s birthday is December 19. Alexis started a website and blog design business with a purpose of supporting orphans and her next mission trip. Sweet Navia lives in India and we know, through Global Partners, Navia has her needs met. She receives love, care, an education, clothes, shoes, food and water. Most importantly, she is taught about her Creator, Jesus and how much He loves her.

Give the Gift of HOPE. Partner with Global Partners in Peace & Development (GPPD) this holiday season to bring hope and help to people around the world. To view the projects in their catalog, go to http://gpartners.org/uploads/Christmas%20catalog.pdf

or visit their website:
http://gpartners.org/

You can make an eternal impact in the lives of others.

GPPD have 15 Children's Homes in India with over 600 children that are cared for and supported.

Everything that Global Partners does - feed and house orphans, educate children from the slums, care for widows, meet the needs of refugees, provide food and fresh water for the poor, provide Bible Schools for pastors and leaders, and much more - is done to show God’s love. The majority of us in the United States have been blessed in abundance. I believe that God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others, especially those who are in need.

Suggested donations…
$30 a month would sponsor a Child each month giving them food, clothes, education, shelter and love in India or Haiti.
$10 donation would buy one outfit for a child in Haiti.
$12 donation would buy a Bible for someone in Haiti.
$30 donation would supply an outfit, school supplies, toys, shoes and personal items to an orphan in India.
$100 would purchase a sheep or a goat for a family who is suffering from malnutrition or poverty.

And the list goes on and on. As you begin to look at the catalog, pray how God could use you this year to help orphans.

100% of your donation is tax-deductible. Global Partners is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Is Pierce your son? :)

Meet Pierce! Madison Adoption Associates named him well. His eyes are so beautiful and encourages others to want to know him.

Madison has several videos of Pierce and wonderful stories about this amazing little boy. His birthday is in October 2002 so he just turned 8 years old. He's very smart and caring...

And soooo handsome.

Could he be your son?

Contact Aleda and I know she would be so happy to share information about this great little guy.

No arms? {pianist Liu Wei}

Armless Pianist is Winner of China's Got Talent Final 2010 - Liu Wei Performing You're Beautiful



"NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! Losing his arms in an accident at age 10, Liu Wei from Beijing never gives up on his dreams. He has learned to do everything with his feet and started to learn to play piano at age 19. His dream is to become a musician—and
he has done just that! He just won the China's Got Talent Show on Oct. 10, 2010. In the final, he played piano and sang the song You're Beautiful as a reminder that everyone is beautiful despite outward appearances. Congrats to Liu Wei!" GodTube

No arms? Amazing!

Making a difference...

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."

I then asked, "Why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean, past the breaking waves and said -

"It made a difference for that one."

Only two more days...giveaway!!!

Sonia at "His Hands, His Feet" is having a huge giveaway fundraiser to help bring home her two little guys, Jacob and Joseph, from China! Yes, two little guys...at one time!! Being a mom of many boys, Sonia and I, well...we just understand each other. I'm so excited for her family!!

And one of the prizes you can win (you guessed it!) is a basic custom blog makeover designed by Alexis!!!

Sonia's fundraiser giveaway/raffle ends in only two days- October 15th! So hurry and enter if you would like a chance to win a blog design makeover and many other awesome prizes!!!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Is this your daughter?

No, this is not Alaina...but she would pass as her sister. Don't ya think? :) This is Blanche. She has been waiting for her forever family way too long.

Is she not one of the most beautiful 9 year old girls you have ever seen?

Blanche lives in an orphanage in China. She has been through several surgeries in which she lost her lower left leg, below the knee and the toes on her right foot.

Doesn't stop her though. Madison Adoption has several videos of her running on her prosthetic leg that she received almost two years ago. She's very blessed to have this prosthetic leg as many don't have the privilege of wearing one, in China. However, she did receive it almost two years ago and you can tell in the video that she needs a new one soon. Her body is growing as well as her right leg...and the left prosthetic leg is now too short.

She's such a sweet girl in the video. She said her dream is to attend a university to study and her favorite subject in school is Chinese and drawing.

I'm just certain that she will be able to play sports and live a normal life.

We pray her forever family can get to her soon. For more information, contact Diana at Madison:
diana.maa@comcast.net

And keep me posted if you take one look at her and know she is yours. I love her. She reminds me so much of Alaina.

Meant to Be

Steven Curtis Chapman sings Meant to Be in the new Veggie Tale video and little Stevey Joy is the voice of Emma, an orphan who finds her forever family. Sweet,sweet!




And here is the meaning behind the song...

...my 'real' mommy.

Alaina was welcomed into our arms at 13 months old on May 23, 2004. We've always talked about the day we got her and our special trip to China to bring her home.

We've always talked about her nanny and she loves looking at her pictures. Since Alaina was two years old, she has talked about visiting her someday.
One night, when she was two years old, she realized she wasn't in my tummy before she was born. So we talked about her "special lady" and how this special woman carried her in her tummy for 9 months.

We talked about how this special woman must have loved her enough to make sure she was in a safe place so we could go to China and bring her home.

Then, one day not too long ago, at the age of 7 years old, she told Alexis that I was not her 'real' mommy. I was not expecting those words until she was a confused teenager. :)

She said the special lady that carried her in her tummy, was her 'real' mommy. Alexis immediately, said, "So, is Mommy your fake mommy?"

She came into the bathroom so I could brush her hair and we talked. I asked her if Daddy was her 'real' daddy. She said, "My real mommy could be single. I don't know if she was married or not." Joel kind of grinned and I said to her, "Alaina, no matter what, you have a biological mommy and a biological daddy."
Then we talked about how China has the one child policy and most parents need and want to keep their boys. They need to keep their boys to help them with their farm and work. It's very important in China to have a son to carry on the family name.

I told her that I didn't know why they couldn't keep her but it could have been because of the One Child Policy or maybe her parents didn't have enough money to feed her.

I told her that I didn't know why but they loved her enough to leave her in a safe place so she could be found and someone could take care of her.

Alaina carried this burden with her for several weeks. She knows she is loved. She has memorized her story and cherishes the pictures we have. She is proud to be Chinese. She is proud to have 5 brothers and a sister. She is especially proud of her little brothers. She loves them just because.

Several days had gone by and Alaina had not talked about it. She sat beside me one evening at the table while we were eating and she began to cry. She wanted to know why her "parents" didn't keep her. Then, she said something that broke my heart. "I want to live with my 'real' parents in China," she cried.

I told her that her life would be very different if she lived in China right now. She would be speaking Chinese and eating rice instead of the pizza that was on her plate in front of her. Joel joined in and told her that she would be eating rice every meal. We then told her that if she lived in China right now, she might not ever hear the name of Jesus. I hugged her while she cried and wiped her tears.
I think I was most surprised at my own feelings. I was hurt. I almost got defensive. I told her that a 'real' mommy is the one who wipes your bottom the most. :) But I knew I couldn't react that way. I knew that her words were from a grieving heart. I knew she needed to grieve and trust the Lord in her own timing.

One night, several days later, while getting ready for bed, she again started crying and wondering 'why.' As I began to pray, God gave me words that began the healing process.

I told her, "It doesn't matter why. We have to trust that God has a wonderful plan for your life."

At her level of understanding, I shared this:

With all our hearts, we believe God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful. He is the beginning and the end. The Creator of the Universe. Before the creation of the world, HE knew Alaina. He knew her life. He knew she would be in our family. He also knew her heartaches. He knew she would be abandoned at birth. He knew that her biological mother would have to make a choice to release her.

I told her that God was always with her, taking care of her and protecting her before we brought her home. He knew she would soon be in our family, learning about Jesus and learning how to follow Him.

I mentioned that if she were not in our family, we would probably not have Hudson and Benjamin. And 20 of her little Chinese friends might not be with their mommy and daddy if their parents had not met her. I reminded her that God is already using her for his purpose...and that because of her, lots of other little babies have the love of a mommy and daddy now.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

Oh how I wish I could remember her exact response but it was something like this:

"I get it now. You are my real mommy because God knew I would be in my family. He wanted me to grow up in my family for Him."

It's been several weeks now and I think her heart is healing. I'm sure she will continue to have questions and wonder about what her life would be like if she were still in China. But, I think she realizes that God has a wonderful plan for her life. God put on my heart to help her be confident in Him. Believing in his sovereignty and His amazing love for her, has given her peace, a peace that can only come from knowing Him.

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake, I am still with you.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Benjamin!

As I read Benjamin's Gotcha Day story to him a few minutes ago, Benjamin sat on my lap so still and looked at the pictures.

He's not old enough really to understand exactly, but he said he remembered his special nanny. I will never forget how he cried such a painful cry when we drove away. My heart broke for him but I knew he would grow to love us someday.

His Gotcha Day journal, July 20, 2008...

We were up at 4:30AM this morning putting our luggage outside the door. Our flight boarded at 7:25AM. At this point, we were not sure we were getting HuiHui today.
Sarah was waiting on us at the airport and informed us that we would get him around 2.

Our hotel at the Grand Park.


We gathered up our gifts for the orphanage, the diaper bag and the cameras and headed to meet our HuiHui.
We arrived first and then within a minute, HuiHui came through the door...reluctantly. He is so cute!!! XiaoFang, the manager at the Infant Care Unit in Gejiu came with him. We were so happy to meet her. She is such a wonderful "mother" of the babies and an eternal sister.

And he cried...and cried...and cried....
So I could talk to XiaoFang and give her the gifts, I gave him back to her hoping he would stop crying.
While we signed some paperwork, the boys played with him for a little bit...in Xiaofang's arms.

ANd then it was time to say goodbye. He was crying...I was crying ....and I'm sure XiaoFang was crying,too. He was so pitiful...reaching for the windows and looking for his XiaoFang.
We went back to the room and changed a dirty diaper. He did not like that at all. He is extremely strong. He gathered up all his clothes I had taken off, especially his shoes. He handed the shoes to me to put them back on him.
It was so sad watching him cry. He walked to the door reaching and crying...bless his heart.
We walked to Walmart to get some baby things and on the way he fell asleep after he had cried about an hour. He woke up calm and very, very content in the Snuggly. He is so cuddly and would look into my eyes. He wrapped his arms and legs around me. I'm in love...
Notice the rag...I mean blanky in his mouth? He wanted it in his sight constantly.

At dinner, he played with Daddy Baba and smiled a little...but on my lap. We are a little worried that he won't eat. He ate some Cheerios but won't take a bottle or eat anything.

As I'm typing on Monday morning, he slept well last night...waking up at 6:30. I'm sure he will be tired today. I fell asleep with him on my bed last night and then put him in his bed. He is such a cute little guy. Pray for him as he misses his XiaoFang and learns that we love him forever.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Benjamin! We love you forever!

Read the rest of Benjamin's travel journal...sweet memories.